By Max and HBO finally unleash their prequel TV series “Dune: Prophecy” this coming weekend, a series that was ordered five years ago.
The series infamously underwent multiple delays, major creative overhauls and shifts of showrunner. “Dune” film director Denis Villeneuve and writer Jon Spaiths and filmmaker Johan Renck all opted out at different points from the series, and some actors were replaced. Ultimately it was finished nearly a year ago.
The result? Not so great according to just published reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series is pulling in just a 72% (6.4/10) from 25 reviews so far. To put that in comparison, HBO’s just finished “The Penguin” sits at 95% (8.0/10) while the two Villeneuve “Dune” films are at 83% (7.7/10) and 92% (8.4/10) respectively.
Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“As it peers into the darkness in the souls and minds of its characters, it finds a potently sinister tone with the power to burn right through the very flesh (often literally) of all those caught in its grasp.” – Chase Hutchinson, TheWrap
To my shock (and personal delight), though, Dune: Prophecy is not built for the normies. Dune: Prophecy gives Frank Herbert’s vast and strange world back to the science fiction dorks like me.”” – Meghan O’Keefe, Decider
“Even if very few creatives can offer visuals like Denis Villeneuve can, fans of the recent film installations will enjoy the sweeping world-building and detailed, impeccably designed set pieces here in Dune: Prophecy.” – Mary Siroky, Consequence
“Devotees of the franchise should appreciate this show’s commitment to honoring its many, many layers, while first-time audiences might have more trouble accessing its specifics while still grasping its boldness, scope, and vision.” – Abe Friendtanzer, Awards Buzz
“It’s trying so hard to fill a [Game of Thrones]-but-in-space mandate that it often forgets to serve its I.P. narrative duties while bending over backwards to please its corporate masters.” – David Fear, Rolling Stone
“Dune: Prophecy is too hung up on scope and too trusting in its audiences’ adoration for its preexisting I.P. to feel as strange and spectacular as it should.” – Ben Travers, Indiewire
“As an overstuffed meditation on the struggles of female agency in a patriarchal society, it offers moments of handsomely produced, morally murky scheming and backstabbing.” – Daniel Fienberg, THR
“In reshaping a Dune story to fit this Game of Thrones mold, Dune: Prophecy sands off the most interesting aspects of its story, while making the series feel indistinguishable from the countless other Game of Thrones knockoffs.” – Hoai-Tran Bui, Inverse
“It’s impossible to imagine how someone completely new to Dune would fare well watching this. With so much going on, it’s a wonder how the show is as dull as it is, too.” – Amy West, Total Film
Based on the Frank Herbert novels, the story is set some 10,000 years before the ascension of Paul Atreides. It follows two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.
The cast includes Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Chloe Lea, Jade Anouka, Faoileann Cunningham, Edward Davis, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Jihae, Tabu, Charithra Chandran, Jessica Barden, Emma Canning, and Yerin Ha.
Alison Schapker serves as the showrunner and an executive producer while Diane Ademu-John co-developed the series and also serves as an executive producer.
“Dune: Prophecy” premieres on HBO on November 17th with the series finale to air December 22nd.
The post The “Dune: Prophecy” Reviews Are In appeared first on Dark Horizons.
