Dune: Prophecy
7.370%64%7.3
Ten thousand years before Paul Atreides joined the Fremen to lead an uprising on Arrakis to take down House Harkonnen, two sisters (Valya and Tula Harkonnen) create the mysterious all-female order called the Bene Gesserit. In Dune Prophecy, the siblings combat forces that threaten the future of humankind.
EnochLight reviewed
May 18, 2025•
While the overall feel of this series does feel like it's related to Denis Villeneuve's 2021 "Dune" and 2024's "Dune: Part Two", this incredibly slow paced/slow burning take on the Great Schools of Dune novel trilogy (2012–2016) by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson feels a bit disjointed. Taking into consideration that it is set literally 10,000 years before the events in Villeneuve's films, it seems odd that the universe in which it exists feels no different than the universe we're presented with in "Dune". Many people have a hard time with this concept (I am one of them), as 10,000 years before present, human civilization was unrecognizable from today, being largely hunter-gatherers transitioning into a agricultural species in the Mesolithic/Neolithic eras.
In "Dunce: Prophecy", we are asked to accept that humanity will look almost exactly the same - from technology to cities to culture - over the next 10,000 years until we arrive at the feet of Paul Atreides dominion. All that said, there are some interesting concepts and wonderfully shot scenes that portray the origins of the Bene Gesserit, and if you're willing to put the time in to this absolutely snail's pace of a slow burn, there are some good payoffs.
My main criticism aside, I'll add another: the "club" scene is almost cringe worthy. Portraying music as if it hasn't changed from 4-on-the-floor techno over 10,000 years is just sad, if not just artistically bankrupt. For reference, the events of Paul Atreides in Dune take place roughly 20,000 years into the future from present day, yet we are asked to accept that 10,000 years from present day, club kids will be dancing to 4-on-the-floor techno.
Now for the good - the feel is definitely grounded in Villeneuve's films, which is great. The acting is fantastic - both Emily Watson and Olivia Williams are superb, as are their younger counterparts Jessica Barden and Emma Canning. Travis Fimmel's Desmond Hart is perfectly creepy, though it's hard - as usual - to separate him from his "Vikings" character Ragnar Lothbrok (seriously, I know Fimmel can act but he seems to constantly play the same character over and over again)!
Overall, while there are some interesting plot twists that take way too much time to unfold, by the last episode I was left wanting to see more, so - that's something I suppose. Hopefully season 2 will improve things, otherwise I do not see this series getting a season 3.