Dune: Prophecy review – a bracingly different sci-fi dominated by women at every level
Welcome to the Sisterhood – a unique blend of a sanctuary, a refinement academy, a spiritual training center, and a hub for political ideas. Guided by insightful older women dressed in simple black, this place aims to mentor young women with strong instincts, preparing them to become the wise leaders of tomorrow. The goal is to cultivate a heroine capable of governing not only the Sisterhood's own world but also the surrounding ones. This initiative could potentially be a key to saving humanity.
In ten thousand years, the Sisterhood will evolve into the Bene Gesserit, a powerful group of women possessing extraordinary mind-control skills. This organization is featured in Frank Herbert's 1965 novel Dune and its film adaptations, where talents like Rebecca Ferguson, Charlotte Rampling, and Léa Seydoux portray members of the Bene Gesserit in the films directed by Denis Villeneuve. The series Dune: Prophecy, which consists of six episodes and draws its inspiration, somewhat controversially, not from Herbert’s original works but from a spin-off novel co-written by his son Brian in 2012, will explore the origins of the Bene Gesserit.
Before we can explore the halls, libraries, and training rooms of the Sisterhood, we must first understand some important background. Two generations ago, a brutal conflict erupted between humans and sentient machines. In the aftermath, the Mother Superior of the Sisterhood made a significant and dire proclamation on her deathbed, foretelling a coming reckoning, a terrifying judgment from a despotic force. She declared that only her chosen successor, Valya Harkonnen, could prevent this disaster. Now, Valya is plotting to seize control of the Imperium, the ruling body of the region, while its current leader, Emperor Corrino, is vulnerable due to recent military failures. Just as she prepares for a major move by the Sisterhood, it appears that the reckoning she feared may have finally arrived.
"Dune: Prophecy," created by Alison Schapker and Diane Ademu-John, features a strong female presence throughout the entire production. Not only are the community leaders women, but key roles are also filled by female characters, including rebel double agent Mikaela (Shalom Brune-Franklin), the insightful truthseeker Kasha (Jihae), and the emperor’s tumultuous former partner Francesca (Tabu). This level of female representation would have been hard to imagine in a show like this even 20 years ago, and arguably even 10 years ago, whereas a predominance of male characters in such a series may not have raised any eyebrows.
However, its criticism of patriarchy, where men in power seek to prove themselves through violence to make up for their own insecurities, is presented in a nuanced way. This applies equally to any exploration of the relationships within a female-led structure. At its heart, Dune: Prophecy tells a fantasy story similar to others, but it brings a bit more depth and significantly less bravado.
The story focuses on the dynamic between Valya (Emily Watson) and her sister Tula (Olivia Williams), who is also her second-in-command. Although their different personalities often lead to conflicts, they are close enough that it keeps them united. Valya, the ambitious leader, conceals her compassion beneath a tough exterior shaped by harsh experiences. In contrast, Tula serves as Valya's moral compass, lacking her sister's ruthless drive while constantly trying to rein it in, though she doesn't completely disapprove of it. Watson and Williams complement each other perfectly, with one being strong yet gentle and the other more nurturing. Their performances together are so gripping that you can't help but be drawn into their captivating chemistry on screen.
The dynamic between Emperor Corrino (Mark Strong), a commanding military leader who tries to maintain control yet falters at crucial moments, and his shrewd wife, Natalya (Jodhi May), who is eager to seize power and take decisive action, is intriguing. However, is this intriguing relationship enough? The initial episodes are packed with extensive background information and world-building, much of it delivered through dialogue. While there are some scandalous moments and a few grim deaths in the early episodes, the way these characters meet their ends is quite intellectual: the unfortunate experience vivid visions that ultimately lead to their demise, or they are forced to succumb when the killer, who is physically present, uses stronger mental influence to overpower them.
Much of the conversation in Dune: Prophecy revolves around psychic visions, mysterious predictions, faith-based beliefs, and political maneuvers. As a result, it sometimes feels like the show focuses more on discussing past events and future possibilities rather than showcasing characters actively shaping their destiny. This feeling of stagnation is compounded when the narrative, after a quick introduction of the young adults Tula (Emma Canning) and Valya (Jessica Barden) in the beginning, returns to this earlier timeline later on. These flashback scenes often fail to bring anything new to the table, merely reiterating what has already been established by their older counterparts.
Dune: Prophecy has an impressive visual style, showcasing sharp black-and-white designs and strikingly unusual buildings that reflect the unique curves of the franchise's title font. The universe it creates is intense and thought-provoking, rooted in a strict meritocracy while also featuring elements of the unexpected and the supernatural, presenting a fresh take on science fiction. However, it still needs to improve to move past its cautious beginning.