Dune: Part Two is monumental filmmaking by Denis Villeneuve. A cinematic spectacle exploring religious fanaticism set within a tragic love story. Villeneuve delivers a colossal epic that is exactly what we go to the movies for. While massive in scale, Dune: Part Two never loses momentum in the story it tells. A masterclass in world building with exceptional work by Production Designer Patrice Vermette and Costume Designer Jacqueline West.

Dune: Part Two is not a sequel but a continuation of what co-writer and director Denis Villeneuve delivered in 2021 with Dune: Part One. In the second half, Villeneuve and co-writer Jon Spaihts dive deeper into the terrors of Arrakis both from the people and that lie within the desert. The layout of the land and rules of Dunewere explored in the first half allowing the second half to dive deeper into the landscapes, people, and all that hides in the desert. In this second half, Villeneuve navigates the Chosen One narrative that lied within Frank Herbert’s novel.

To say that Dune: Part Two is massive would be an understatement; the scale Villeneuve is operating on is extraordinary, breathtaking, and immense in size. Patrice Vermette’s sets are astounding as he explores varying locations populated by the Fremen, Harkonnen, Atreides, and more that hide within the world of Dune. As the characters within the film search for control over the galaxy through spice production and power, they use not just weaponry but propaganda, eugenics, mind control, and the land itself. Villeneuve and Spaihts adapt the dense story within Herbert’s first novel in the series to craft a multilayered war that can be fought with different methods of battle. 

The film picks up exactly where the previous chapter ended with Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), stranded in the desert of Arrakis after his father was murdered at the hand of the Harkonnen. The Fremen, the indigenous population on Arrakis, had adapted to living in the desert. They took Paul and his mother in while they were outlawed from their throne and being hunted by the Harkonnen. While it may be confusing the way the Fremen are described as untrustworthy of anyone outside their population, it all becomes clear when the whispers of a prophecy of a savior who would come as an outsider and lead them in an uprising that would turn Arrakis into a paradise for the Fremen. 

Chalamet is actually incredible in the film and while Paul is played mostly internal minus a few big moments, Dune: Part Two does not work without an amazing performance at the center for Paul and he excels every step of the way. He’s both a hero and an antihero walking a fine line that should not be overlooked. Ferguson is absolutely terrifying and operating on a level only she can pull off. No one else could play Lady Jessica with such strength, conviction, and terror. There is something so unsettling about every move she makes, yet you never want to look away. 

Chani (Zendaya), a Fremen warrior, and Paul had a connection in the first chapter, but in Dune: Part Two, we watch intimately as they form a deep relationship not only for the cause of the Fremen, but as they fall in love. Hans Zimmer’s score pulsating in the background as the two become closer and closer until their first kiss, highlighted by the score as we soar into love alongside them in the desert. Stilgar (Javier Bardem), the Fremen leader, is a true believer in Paul and his prophecy. Chani fights it and between the two of them, Paul acts as if he isn’t ‘the one’ and wants this prophecy to end. Chani, part of the younger generation of Fremen, thinks of the prophecy surrounding Paul as an old tale to keep the Fremen in check. The way the Chani character is updated from the novel is so appreciated as in the novel she felt more of a lovesick girlfriend, but Zendaya’s portrayal and the manner in which she’s written is a strong, independent warrior who is the face of the new Fremen. 

While the Fremen, Paul, and Lady Jessica prepare for what is coming, the Harkonnens are obsessed with spice production and domination of the galaxy. Stellan Skarsgård is back as Baron and his presence dominates when he’s on screen. Rabban (Dave Bautista) is failing him and in true family matter, Baron decides to replace him with his other nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler). Bautista, who is always underrated as an actor, really shines here in a vulnerable, angry, anxious portrayal of a man desperate to please, but unable. Butler is absolutely insane, feral, animalistic, and terrifying. Anything you thought you knew about Butler as an actor was simply the tip of the iceberg, as he is a delicious villain that will go down in history as one of the best antagonists in film. 

Puppeteering the Harkonnens is the emperor, Shaddam IV (Christopher Walken), who is detached. His daughter Irulan (Florence Pugh) is worried about not just the state of the galaxy, but her family’s involvement and if Paul is alive. Pugh is incredible in her role in Dune: Part Two; she’s reserved, thoughtful, and calculated all while never letting on exactly what she’s thinking, truly one of her best performances to date. Walken is reserved and has a stately presence perfect for his role as emperor. 

In between all of these characters fighting for control of the galaxy are the Bene Gesserit. Lady Margot Fenring (Léa Seydoux) tests Feyd-Rautha as a possible heir to the throne to fulfill the prophecy. Seydoux sizzles, as usual, and makes the most of very little screentime. Her chemistry with Butler is palpable and missed the moment its no longer on screen. Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) is terrifying at times and looms large over the film as you know she’s the one really pulling the strings with her hand in every house. 

Villeneuve carefully laid the groundwork in the first chapter that Paul was not simply the ‘Chosen One,’ but something much more sinister. In Dune: Part Two, it’s no secret what is happening with Paul. While some, or most of, the Fremen assume he’s their savior, he’s fighting it at every stop. He has visions of a Holy War, millions dead, and implications of galactic proportion. This is not a white savior story and Villeneuve excels at constantly foreshadowing all that is to come in the inevitable third film. It’s horrifying to watch the displacement of the Fremen population while being overtaken by the Harkonnens and the allegory the story is telling is heart wrenching. Villeneuve and his team never allow the film to veer as Paul as a hero.

The world of Dune: Part Two once again shines because of its crafts. Vermette’s beautiful production design is truly one-of-a-kind and feels both large and intimate, it’s cold at times when needed, but we can always feel it’s someone’s home. Costume Designer Jacqueline West creates out of this world looks that are drowned in both realism and fantasy. From all black and leather looks of the Harkonnens to the desert friendly looks of the Fremen, each population has a unique look only ever seen before on film in the first chapter. 

The only real issue I have with Dune: Part Two is the lack of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) actors in the principal cast and below-the-line crew. The story of Dune is heavily inspired by MENA culture and it’s just disappointing to not see this reflected in the principal cast as well as including MENA crew in below-the-line departments. This is not to take away from any of the outstanding work by the cast and crew, it just would have added more authenticity to the culture that inspired the world of Dune: Part Two.   

The visual language Villeneuve and cinematographer Greig Fraser use within Dune: Part Two is breathtaking. The silhouettes of Paul and Chani set within the vast, empty landscapes are all worthy of being in a museum. The scale of the film is only highlighted by the manner in which each shot is framed and used to tell the story. Combined with the brilliant editing by Joe Walker, it feels almost hallucinatory at times to watch the film. 

Dune: Part Two is monumental filmmaking by Villeneuve and his entire crew. It’s a true cinematic spectacle exploring religious fanaticism set within a tragic love story. Villeneuve delivers a colossal epic that is exactly what we go to the movies for. While massive in scale, Dune: Part Two never loses momentum in the story it tells. It’s a masterclass in world building with exceptional work by every single actor and member of the below-the-line team. Dune: Part Two will go down in history as of one of the greatest blockbusters ever made and we should feel lucky to experience a film like this in its initial run. 

Grade: A-

Oscars Prospects:
Likely: Best Picture, Best Film Editing, Best Sound, Best Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Visual Effects
Should be Considered: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Supporting Actor (Austin Butler)

Release Date: March 1, 2024
Where to Watch: In Theaters