After hovering in the mid-80% range following its unveiling at the Venice Film Festival, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation has been given the official seal of approval of being “Certified Fresh” with a current score of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Dune accomplishes the feat with just over a week remaining until it’s released wide in the U.S. The film acquired enough reviews on Rotten Tomatoes to officially earn the title with 97 reviews counted, 87 of which are positive. The critical consensus for the film reads, “Dune occasionally struggles with its unwieldy source material, but those issues are largely overshadowed by the scope and ambition of this visually thrilling adaptation.”
Dune can use all the good luck it can get because it’s a risky and pricey endeavor that hopes to finish its story with another installment. The film adapts the first half of Frank Herbert’s book, which was always Villeneuve’s intention, but the COVID-19 pandemic led to many delays and ultimately a decision by WarnerMedia to release their entire 2021 film slate, including Dune, simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service and in theaters. This hybrid release strategy has been a mixed bag at best with films like The Suicide Squad clearly leaving a lot of money on the table due to the release plan and a hefty production and marketing budget. Dune reportedly carries a budget of $165 million so it definitely has some work to do to turn a profit but it does have some positives on its side.
Dune’s international rollout has been successful and it has grossed $117.6 million from its overseas markets ahead of its U.S. debut. Dune still has a release looming in China where it is likely to see a significant international bump in grosses. It has also been reported that Dune’s success on HBO Max will also determine the film getting a second installment so at least Warner Bros. isn’t relying on one aspect of its performance to gauge how successful the film is.
Dune follows the son of a noble family that is entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy. Villeneuve has gathered an impressive ensemble cast for the film including Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
Do YOU think Dune’s positive reviews will help its box office performance in the U.S.? Dune hits screens on October 22, 2021.