Dune: Part Two has opened in cinemas and impressively proves that it lives up to its reputation as the biggest sci-fi event of the year. In fact, the euphoric Dune 2 reactions to Denis Villeneuve’s stunning imagery and spectacular sandworm rides are justified. But the The real goosebumps factor lies in what the sequel does to us as an audience.
Dune 2 dares to do what no other film adaptation of the sci-fi story has been able to do
The story of the almost 200 million US dollar sci-fi film is clear: After the events of Dune, in which the corrupt House Harkonnen violently took control of the desert planet from the venerable House Atreides, Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) finds himself with them his mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) takes refuge with the native desert people. In Dune 2, the presumed dead Atreides heir learns about the power of the desert from Fremen like Chani (Zendaya) and Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and plans his revenge on those who killed his father.
Warner
Dune 2
Dune 1 was a story of awakening and coming of age. She introduced us to the likeable Paul as a shy, almost passive hero who tried to grow into his role under adverse circumstances. A role that he was born with and which is complicated by the fact that his mother plays one in Paul prophesied savior figure sees. Whether one calls this superhuman redeemer Kwisatz Haderach, like the cult sisterhood of the Bene Gesserit, or Lisan al Gaib or Mahdi, like the Fremen: Paul’s bright future seemed predetermined.
Frank Herbert’s famous sci-fi novel * has already been filmed twice. But neither David Lynch’s film Dune from 1984 nor the Dune miniseries from 2000 dared to do so to take the last decisive step with “hero” Paul Atreides.
Warning, massive spoilers for Dune: Part Two follow from here.
The scariest character in Dune 2 isn’t Austin Butler’s Harkonnen psycho
In addition to the Baron (Stellan Skarsgård) and his nephew Rabban (Dave Bautista), Dune 2 has a new Harkonnen villain: Austin Butler previously described his Feyd-Rautha as “Flip side of Paul’s coin”. He is the terrible alternative that awaits the desert planet and the universe if Paul fails. The film impressively shows how terrible this psychotic-cannibalistic fighter without feeling and morals is, who even hints at having killed his mother. A great villain, without question.
Warner
Dune 2: Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler)
Dune 2 suggests that Paul Atreides absolutely has to assert himself against such an opponent. Because a defeat would have dire consequences. But isn’t a win even worse? At one point Paul tries to shake off his prophecy. By refusing the role of savior, fundamentalists interpret him as the humility of a humble savior. Fueled by Jessica, the legend Paul Muad’Dibs is unstoppable. We can feel sorry for the reluctant Paul when he struggles helplessly against windmills while he “is not afraid of losing control, but of gaining it”. He knows what’s coming.
With the knowledge of the devastating consequences of his decisions makes Paul’s final giving up all the more difficult. The most impactful moment in Dune 2 is when Paul accepts his Harkonnen ancestry on his mother’s side and actively decides to be a Harkonne. He looks into the abyss and jumps in with his eyes open.
Warner
Dune 2: Bad Paul
In an absolute Goosebumps scene Thanks to Timothée Chalamet’s fantastic, shocking acting performance, we can attest to this, like ours Savior strips away his morals. In order to then act against his enemies with merciless harshness and nuclear missiles under his lowered hood. If he cannot stop the foreseen holy war in his name, he will have to be absorbed in it as a terrible terror. Even if it causes more victims across the universe than Feyd-Rautha could ever kill.
Timothée Chalamet’s Paul is a dark godsend for Dune 2
As a franchise, Star Wars is known to have copied some of Frank Herbert’s Dune saga. The comparisons currently circulating between Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides and Anakin Skywalker are certainly accurate. The powerful child and later Jedi becomes the evil Sith Lord Darth Vader, just as the supposed messiah Paul turns into a tyrant. The dark side of the force both of them shout.
Warner
Dune 2 turns Paul Atreides inside out
Anyone who knows the book knows, of course, that Paul is not the pure savior that everyone hopes for. But previous film adaptations (and in parts even Frank Herbert’s work itself) have shied away from completely breaking down the beloved hero. Director Denis Villeneuve, on the other hand, deceives us with our passion and goes into the darkness with his film: He creates that we suddenly be afraid of the hero who was previously revered. Accusations of the “White Savior” that the first film had to face are thus completely refuted. Because Paul Atreides no longer seems like a savior at the end of Dune 2.
The Signs have always been there. Dune 1 already had huge troop marches, black Atreides uniforms and fascist-looking flags. They suggested that the Atreides’ benign regime could quickly turn into a reign of terror if their leader decided to do so. Unlike the Harkonnen, Paul does not fight the Fremen. He subdues them by learning their way of life and then winning them over to his side: a perfect weapon because they fervently believe in him as Savior. The only thing more frightening than a crazy oppressor is a convinced fanatic.
In the end, Dune 2 is convincing because we have to question ourselves
Denis Villeneuve’s films are not necessarily characterized by vividly narrated characters who reveal their entire inner life before us. But that’s exactly what the sci-fi sequel benefits from. We may root for Paul and Chani’s cautious romance, but there’s little room for tender feelings in the tumult of bombastic fights and cold intrigue. Just like in Paul at the end of Dune 2, which is “an even more tragic ending than the book”.
Warner
Dune 2: Paul and his followers
Because Paul may repeat to Chani before his political decision to marry Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) that he will love her until he “stops breathing”. But with his words he also reminds us of Chani’s previous promise of love, who vowed to Paul to stay with him “as long as he is himself”. Only in the end Paul is no longer the same. When he drinks the water of life and finally resigns himself to his fate as a clairvoyant superhuman, this persona displaces Paul as a human being.
The only one who sees Paul’s horror in the end is Chani. Thousands upon thousands are dedicating themselves to the new Paul. We as an audience also run the risk of being pushed into this fanatical following. For if we have followed the Savior this far, can we now turn away from him? This question contains the most shocking realization of Dune 2: that we were led by the nose and followed into battle not a shining hero, but a blossoming villain are.
*. If you purchase through this link, we will receive a commission.