Binge-worthy: Dune: Prophecy a bewitching tale of power in the pre-Atreides era

Dune: Prophecy

Max

★★★★☆

Set 10,000 years before the events of the two Dune films (2021 and 2024), this six-episode series streaming on Max chronicles the goings-on at the Bene Gesserit, a religious order whose sisters serve as advisers to the aristocrats leading the Great Houses of the galactic empire.

As the title suggests, Dune: Prophecy delves into the origins of the prophecy central to the Dune films: that Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is the Chosen One, the product of a breeding programme designed to create a supernaturally gifted leader – the messiah whom the Fremen warriors of planet Arrakis call Lisan al Gaib.

With four episodes released so far, the sisterhood’s obsession with bloodline purity has proven fascinatingly complex. It has been a quest for genetic perfection corrupted by all-too-human vices.

Where Canadian director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune films offer quiet majesty alongside their science-fiction elements, the Max prequel embraces HBO’s more lurid fantasy tropes, familiar to fans of Game Of Thrones (2011 to 2019): mysticism, monsters and mass murder.

Here are three compelling reasons to watch Dune: Prophecy.

1. A feast of supernatural elements

While fans of the Game Of Thrones prequel House Of The Dragon (2022 to present) have noted the absence of magic amid its political machinations, Prophecy’s narrative pulses with mystical forces.

Ex-soldier Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) may have gained pyrokinetic powers after being swallowed by a sandworm on Arrakis; Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), who opposes Hart’s influence over Emperor Corrino (Mark Strong), possesses the power to control minds; and young women at the Bene Gesserit academy manifest various supernatural gifts.

The show shrouds the origins of these powers in mystery, though Spice – the empire’s most precious resource – appears to be the common thread in awakening these dormant abilities.

2. The satisfaction of connecting the dots

For those familiar with the Dune films, the prequel’s destination is known: House Harkonnen’s power-hungry nature and deep-seated hatred for House Atreides; the Atreides family’s downfall and eventual rise through Paul, enabled by Fremen beliefs seeded millennia ago.

After methodically establishing the era’s web of alliances and conspiracies, Prophecy refuses to spoon-feed its audience. While some groundwork for the films has been laid, direct references remain subtle.

Notably, the prequel has yet to set a scene on Arrakis, where the oppressed Fremen will eventually embrace their saviour myth. This measured approach keeps viewers eagerly anticipating each revelation.

3. Action and mystery in harmony

Unlike many Star Wars series that rely heavily on fan service – Andor (2022 to present) being a notable exception – Prophecy stands confidently on its own while offering an additional layer of enjoyment for those familiar with the films.

The Harkonnen sisters-turned-Bene Gesserit, Valya and Tula (Olivia Williams), anchor the cast with superb performances. Their black-clad, baleful presence provides a stark counterpoint to the hedonistic nobility, grounding the series in gravitas amid the aristocratic revelry.