“Dune: Part Two” Review: A Monumental, Fiery Epic for the Ages

Source: Andrew Breen '25

“Dune: Part Two” is the complete opposite of the standard big-budget films we often get from studios. Sitting at 165 minutes, “Dune” is set within a rich universe that is truly alien to today's world. From its striking, dark brutalist architecture and its long sequences of the language of the Fremen of Arrakis, the film is committed to maintaining its atmosphere and respects its audience, delivering a truly colossal epic. It is a near-technically flawless, deeply engrossing and boldly directed masterclass that defines what art form of film is meant to be.

With all of this, “Part Two” is the best science-fiction film of the 21st century so far and will arguably go down in the history books as one of the best sequels, fairly deserving comparison to “The Dark Knight” and “The Empire Strikes Back.” “Part Two” is the follow-up to 2021’s “Dune: Part One,” with the majority of the cast and crew returning once again, including director Denis Villeneuve. 

Carrying a mammoth cast of some of today's best actors, the film picks up directly after the ending of the first. In this film, we follow Paul Atreides’ (Timothée Chalamet) mission to seek vengeance upon House Harkonnen for the destruction of House Atreides and for killing his father (Oscar Issac) by uniting the Fremen people of the inhospitable planet of Arrakis. 

If that wasn’t wordy enough, it is nearly impossible to encompass the scope that “Dune” the novel, inhabits, created by author Frank Herbert. “Dune” is full of politics, religion and economic and military conquest, which makes it understandable that it was deemed unadaptable for decades (especially after 1984’s cult adaptation by David Lynch). However, the reason both films don’t collapse under their weight is due to the directing and writing (alongside Jon Spaihts) of Villeneuve. 

With the addition of “Part Two,” it is fair to say that Villeneuve is one of the most talented directors ever, especially considering his directing run since the early 2010s, including films like “Prisoners,” “Sicario,” “Arrival” and “Blade Runner 2049.” The passion Villeneuve has for the source material flows through every second on the screen and is captured by the cinematography of Greg Fraser.

Fraser, known for films such as “The Batman” and “Rogue One,” won his first Oscar for “Part One” and will possibly win another for “Part Two.” The way Fraser captures the scale, whether it's a gigantic sandworm or a colosseum packed with thousands, is genuinely jaw-dropping. 

Everything packs a sense of weight in the “Dune” franchise; large mining vehicles groan and shudder as they move, explosions cause deafening shockwaves and crowds roar as they rise up against their oppressors. The sound design is perfectly paired with the score by legendary composer Hans Zimmer, who expands upon the already unnatural, bulky score of “Part One.” 

As the technical aspects of the film shine, “Part Two” features dense thematic resonance and developed characters. Paul Atreides' arc between these two films is engrossing, with criticism pointed in “Part One” at Paul being a boring character, but that is impossible to argue here. Paul’s essentially doomed quest to not become a messiah people prophesied for centuries, the Lisan al Gaib, is the best aspect of the film.

Here, Villeneuve explores intricate themes of how cult of personalities develop and the weaponization of religion and radicalization. The film's path is disturbing as Paul morphs into a terrifying figure who is spiraling into what he never wanted to become. Paul’s complexities make him one of the best protagonists of recent memory, and alongside characters like Rebecca Furguson’s Lady Jessica and Zendaya’s Chani, they complement the brilliance of Paul’s arch. 

With a great protagonist like Paul, there are just as good villains with Stellan Skarsgård’s Baron Vladimir Harkonnen and Austin Butler’s Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen. Skarsgård, arguably the best element of the last film, returns as the gluttonous Baron, but Butler’s introduction steals the show. The casting of Butler was head-scratching for some, but this is the best performance of his career so far as this psychopathic, raspy-voiced freak. 

“Dune: Part Two” is a part of the continuing trend of artistically composed large-budget films that are becoming a demand by audiences, joining the likes of “Oppenheimer” and “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” We are incredibly lucky to be receiving films that cost over 200 million dollars, which are extremely weird. How often do we get films of this caliber with strange, psychedelic sequences of visions, with contemplations of the corruption of power and criticizing the force of blindly believing in prophets? Although it may seem we only get films from Hollywood made to grab cash that lack merit behind the camera, films like “Dune: Part Two” will be remembered like “Lord of the Rings” as a film that you had to be there for.