Dune (2021)

Dune (2021), an American epic science fiction film directed by Denis Villeneuve and co-written by Jon Spaihts and Eric Roth, takes place in the distant future. Duke Leto Atreides of the planet Caladan is chosen by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV to replace Baron Vladimir Harkonnen as fiefholder of Arrakis, a harsh desert planet that contains the sole source of “spice,” a valuable substance with psychotropic properties. This spice is crucial for interstellar travel, enabling the Spacing Guild Navigators to safely guide starships through instantaneous space travel. However, Shaddam secretly partners with his Sardaukar troops to help House Harkonnen reclaim Arrakis from House Atreides. Despite his suspicions towards the Emperor’s motives, Leto must weigh the risks against gaining control of Arrakis and forming an alliance with its enigmatic inhabitants, the Fremen.

Lady Jessica, Leto’s concubine, is an acolyte of the exclusive sisterhood, the Bene Gesserit. They possess advanced physical and mental abilities and have a centuries-long breeding program. Instructed to bear a daughter who would give birth to the Kwisatz Haderach, a messianic superbeing with clairvoyance to lead humanity to a better future, Jessica disobeyed. Instead, she bore Paul, who is trained by Leto’s aides – Duncan Idaho, Gurney Halleck, Wellington Yueh (the Suk doctor), and Thufir Hawat (the Mentat). While Jessica teaches Paul Bene Gesserit disciplines, he confides in her and Duncan about troubling visions of the future. When the Reverend Mother and Imperial Truthsayer Gaius Helen Mohiam visit Caladan, they subject Paul to a death-alternative Gom jabbar test to assess his humanity and impulse control; he passes.