I am still processing this film after waiting for it since part one and all the delays but I do know it’s a masterpiece. As a reader of the book, it is hard to adapt something so rich in texture and scope but Villenueve, himself a lover of the book, succeeds here wonderfully. 

I can sit here and say I wanted this or that plot, character or line from the book in this film but I am not disappointed when I don’t get specific details because the essence of the book is here throughout the film. The first film set up the world and stakes and now we see it unravel. Paul knows that the bene gesserit have crossed bloodlines for so many years to create someone who can see the past and future and with that created religious stories and fervor to back it up. Paul knows all this and grapples with fulfilling the destiny of this organization and getting revenge. He sees what it will lead to and what he can lose. 

The film does not shy away from these themes and characters we loved in the first part now scare us with their thirst for revenge and power. Paul is not the White Savior that we have seen so many times before and part one shows as a possibility. Since the start of part two, Paul fights against being that and wants instead to fight with the Fremen. But everything is pushing him to being the chosen one and a future of destruction and death. 

Chani is an important character because she reflects the distraught and reluctance that we feel. She is the voice of reason. Zendaya does so much work here detailing these emotions in her face and in doing so fully creates the meaning of this film and the impact of the ending. 

The whole cast is great here. Austin Butler is fully transformed as a weird but scary villain that has only a few scenes to encom this character. Rebecca Ferguson is phenomenal as always and we get to see her vicious side. Javier Bardem is the comedic relief but also represents this religious fanaticism. Florence Pugh was the correct choice to embody Irulan. And finally Timothee Chalamet really impresses with his moral turmoil and astonishes with a great speech towards the end. 

Villenueve has love for this story and it seen here in the beauty of the cinematography and sound but also its details. There is a grace to the film but also a brutality and coldness to it. It’s exactly what Dune needs to be and in doing so he creates his landmark film.