A prequel series to Denis Villeneuve's “Dune” films which were a hit at the box office, “Dune: Prophecy” begins its broadcast on the MAX platform. Is it worth a look?
What is it about?
In a future where humanity has traveled across the galaxy of a thousand planets, a mysterious sorority called the Bene Gesserit navigates between the political battles and the imbroglios of the Imperium, pursuing a very specific goal of its own which will bring its members to the enigmatic planet of Dune…
Who is it with?
The main cast of Dune: Prophecy includes Emily Watson (Chernobyl), Travis Fimmel (Vikings), Mark Strong (Kingsman), Olivia Williams (The Crown), Sarah-Sofie Boussnina (1864), Chris Mason (Broadchurch) and Jodhi May (The Witcher) and Josh Heuston (Hartley, hearts on fire).
Parmi les seconds rôles, figurent Jessica Barden (The End of the F***ing World), Emma Canning (Masters of the Air), Chloe Lea (Foundation), Jade Anouka (His Dark Materials), Faoileann Cunningham (The Northman), Aoife Hinds (Normal People), Shalom Brune-Franklin (Mon petit renne), Edward Davis (The Little Drummer Girl), Jihae (Succession) et l’actrice indienne Tabu.
Is it worth a look?
A true box office success, Denis Villeneuve's Dune franchise has quickly become one of the most popular recent sagas in cinema. This adaptation of Frank Herbert's literary work has won over science fiction fans, fans of the work but also a wider audience thanks to the director's vision, colossal resources and an XXL cast.
While a third part continuing the adventures of Paul (Timothée Chalamet) and Chani (Zendaya) is expected for 2026 or even 2027, fans of the franchise are entitled to wait for a spin-off series, Dune: Prophecy, which returns to the origins of the Bene Gesserit. Does this spin-off live up to the films?
A series for fans already won over by “Dune”
Four episodes out of the six in total that make up this Dune: Prophecy series have been made available to the press, which allows us to get a fairly broad idea of it. And it is clear that this fiction is mainly aimed at already won over fans of the Dune universe, because it is a fairly faithful extension of it.
Already in its very rich and meticulous visual universe, which is very close to what Denis Villeneuve created in his feature films. This artistic direction is appreciable for the aesthetic coherence of the universe, always as stunning and magnetic in its coldness and its surgical and controlled aspect.
Those who loved the Dune films will appreciate this return to the past to learn about the origins and aspirations of the Bene Gesserit, the major female community in the world of Dune already quite present in the feature films but still very much shrouded in mystery.
HBO
Fans should not be left disappointed or disoriented while watching Dune: Prophecy and should find many answers to their questions, which will lead to other deeper questions on political, scientific, moral, ethical and religious aspects.
But can it attract a wider audience?
It must still be admitted that it can be difficult to understand the series with a new eye as its pilot is slow and very busy. The first episode introduces a lot of characters and side plots as it relies on the innate understanding and investment of its established fan base.
We wonder if such a tight and slow series, which relies too much on flashbacks to fill in misunderstandings, can attract a wide audience. But the political intrigues, conspiracies and twists avoiding Manichaeism can attract fans of political-family soaps, like Game of Thrones or Succession, which also had fairly busy pilots.
If certain dialogues sometimes ring hollow in this aspect, it is the heart of the series which fascinates the most. This mystical and fascinating journey into the Bene Gesserit is worth a look both for its analysis of sometimes oppressive but often saving sisterhood relationships and its exploration of the dangers of the all-powerful control of myths, genetics and technologies.
Because Dune: Prophecy returns to the origins of the prophecy surrounding the Lisan Al-Gaib, or the Muad'Dib, who reveals himself as Paul Atreides in the films. How did the Bene Gesserit take centuries to achieve its purpose? What are the real motivations of this uncompromising organization? How does this sect's ambivalence ultimately threaten the perfect, ethical future it so desperately wanted to create?
HBO
All these fascinating questions are answered in this series, which if we give it time to settle down proves to be very gripping because it places its pawns meticulously, gradually over more substantial and frontal episodes.
The reason surely for numerous creative changes during the production process with a succession of showrunners and directors leaving for artistic differences. It was ultimately Alison Schapker (Alias, Fringe) who served as showrunner, screenwriter and producer on Dune: Prophecy, but the first episode remains signed by her predecessor Diane Ademu-John.
Even if the series is solid and rich in entertainment and dramatic intrigues, we still wonder about the number of chapters allocated to this ambitious enterprise and it would surely have needed more than 6 episodes to be completely up to par.
Unless the last two episodes, which we will discover later, bring a clear and transcendent outcome to this dark and violent origin story which counts in particular on the masterful performances of its female cast, from the main actresses to the secondary actresses, real beacons powerful and dangerous in the uncertain but thrilling night.
The first episode of the “Dune: Prophecy” series is available on the MAX platform. The rest of the series will be available at the rate of one episode per week.
