Denis Villeneuve‘s impact on modern sci-fi cinema was recently lauded in extraordinary terms by Steven Spielberg, who called Villeneuve’s 2024 epic
“one of the most brilliant science fiction films I have ever seen.”
This rare endorsement from the acclaimed director came during a Directors Guild of America podcast, confirming Dune: Part Two’s immediate influence on the landscape of science fiction filmmaking.
Villeneuve’s work, which continues the saga started by his 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert’s iconic novel, has firmly repositioned the standards for modern sci-fi storytelling. Spielberg’s praise, focused on the film‘s sweeping vision and depth, suggests that Dune: Part Two now stands alongside classics like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Alien, and Blade Runner in the canon of genre-defining cinema.
Villeneuve’s Vision: Crafting an Epic Sci-Fi Landscape
Spielberg’s admiration for Dune: Part Two extends well beyond its narrative to the film’s masterful construction of the desert planet Arrakis, where nearly all events unfold. Spielberg highlighted how Villeneuve and his production team made the scarcity of water palpable through both visuals and atmosphere, noting,
“for such a desert-loving film there is such a yearning for water in this movie. […] You film the desert to resemble an ocean, a sea.”
—Steven Spielberg, Director
He also compared Villeneuve to profound world–builders such as Walt Disney, Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas, and Federico Fellini. This comparison reflects the monumental effort behind recreating Arrakis, a landscape that is not only visually dominant but also integral to the film’s conflict over its valuable spice. The stark yet enthralling visuals underscore Arrakis as central—sometimes more so than Paul Atreides, played by Timothée Chalamet—creating an immersive environment that rivals the world-building of franchises like Lord of the Rings and Avatar.
The film stretches the boundaries of movie-making technology and imagination. Spielberg singled out the sandworm-riding scene as a highlight, describing it as
“one of the greatest things I have ever seen,”
—Steven Spielberg, Director. Realizing this moment required 44 days of filming and the creation of a colossal 90-foot sandworm set piece, a testament to the film’s technical ambition and the attention to sensory detail from the sound design to Hans Zimmer’s sweeping score. These elements combine for a cinematic experience that draws viewers deep into Arrakis, amplifying the story’s stakes and tensions.
Dune: Part Two’s Resonance with Spielberg’s Cinematic Influences
The reasons for Spielberg’s enthusiastic response can also be traced to his affection for other epic tales, particularly David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia. During their conversation, Villeneuve and Spielberg discussed parallels between Dune: Part Two and this 1962 classic. Like Lawrence, Dune centers on a protagonist—Paul Atreides, a member of a powerful family—who becomes entwined with local people and ultimately challenges colonial forces. Spielberg’s enduring admiration for the desert cinematography in Lawrence of Arabia, which he previously described as having “cast a spell” on him, may have heightened his appreciation for Villeneuve’s visual achievements and narrative complexity.
Both films feature characters swept up in events larger than themselves, exploring themes of colonization, loyalty, and personal transformation. While Lawrence of Arabia is grounded in historical events, Dune: Part Two’s setting propels these considerations into a far-future context, offering commentary that echoes across eras and regions, not limited to a single place or period. Spielberg’s own legacy as a director of both blockbusters and thoughtful dramas makes his endorsement especially meaningful—he recognizes Dune: Part Two as both a homage to classic epics and a bold reinvention for contemporary audiences.
A Cautionary Tale: Power, Prophecy, and Social Critique
Beneath its breathtaking visuals and grand battles, Dune: Part Two delivers a sharp critique of toxic ideologies and the dangers of unchecked authority. The story’s villains—Harkonnens and the Emperor Corrino, played by Christopher Walken—are not the only sources of manipulation and control. Paul Atreides, together with his mother Lady Jessica, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson, orchestrates the Fremen’s belief in a messianic prophecy originating from the Bene Gesserit, an ancient order manipulating political outcomes for centuries.
Paul’s initial reluctance gradually gives way to temptation, as the promise of supernatural power leads him down a path toward corruption. Only Chani, played by Zendaya, voices consistent doubts about the prophecy’s true intent, questioning whether it empowers or endangers her people. The film thus extends its critique beyond imperialism and colonization, directly addressing the perils of religious dogma and mass manipulation, themes that remain relevant across history and global societies.
This multifaceted narrative is likely a key reason why Dune: Part Two has earned the distinction of an “instant classic” according to commentators and audiences alike. It combines pulse-pounding spectacle with urgent reflections on oppression and control. Spielberg, whose own filmography bridges crowd-pleasing excitement and poignant examinations of human struggles, finds in Villeneuve’s Dune a mirror of those twin aims—and a worthy successor to the classics he reveres.
Dune: Part Two’s Enduring Mark on Science Fiction
With Dune: Part Two now available for streaming on Netflix and Max, audiences worldwide can witness firsthand Denis Villeneuve’s impact on modern sci-fi cinema. The film’s reception, amplified by Steven Spielberg’s glowing remarks, not only elevates Villeneuve into the rarefied ranks of visionary filmmakers like Kubrick and Disney but signals a new standard for cinematic world-building and thematic ambition.
As discussions continue about the film’s narrative and visual achievements, the recognition from Spielberg ensures that Villeneuve’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s legacy will influence science fiction storytelling and inspire new generations of builders, directors, and enthusiasts. For lovers of the genre—and for anyone captivated by stories of power, belief, and resistance—Dune: Part Two has already changed the terrain of what modern sci-fi cinema can accomplish.
