Dune: Prophecy First Reviews – Critics Say New Series Delivers ”Twist After Twist”

Dune: Prophecy hits our screens this weekend, and critics are getting the first say on the series, which serves as a prequel to Denis Villeneuve's Dune universe and follows the lives of the Bene Gesserit.

The cast includes Emily Watson, Olivia Williams, Travis Fimmel, Jodhi May, Mark Strong, Sarah-Sofie Boussnina, Josh Heuston, Jade Anouka, Aoife Hinds, Chris Mason, Shalom Brune-Franklin, and Tabu and the series will launch on HBO on November 17.

Critics have weighed in on whether the series is worth your time, and the first 26 reviews have the series landing at 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, with 19 critics giving it a fresh score and 7 calling it rotten.

John Nugent at Empire says Dune: Prophecy is "As impressive as the visual scale is here, it's simply not on the same level," as Villeneuve's films, "But there's something to be said for the rarity of a huge HBO sci-fi show dominated by female characters, and with storied actors like Watson and Olivia Williams out front, it's enough to keep you coming back to the spice rack."

"This is not your average TV show," says Therese Lacson at Collider, "Prophecy doesn't shy away from violence and drama, delivering twist after twist, and death after death, ultimately not all that different from Dune."

The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Feinberg says, "Even though it's part of a brand, Dune: Prophecy has lots of elements to introduce, and the series is already a slow, sometimes lugubrious build."

However, Feinberg also says, "I found myself becoming increasingly invested as it went along. Maybe by the end of the first season, I'll be hooked. As of now, though, everything could use just a bit more spice."

Emlyn Travis of Entertainment Weekly had praise for the cast, saying, "The series is anchored by masterful performances from its central sisters."

Travis also said, "Prophecy is a solid foray into the farther reaches of the Dune universe."

Dune: Prophecy's first reviews are primarily positive, but all of them seem to hope the show will deliver more as it goes on, and understand it's hard to watch it without thinking of Villeneuve's critically acclaimed universe he built with the films.

You can watch Dune: Prophecy this Sunday.