20 key differences between Denis Villeneuve's Dune Universe and Frank Herbert's novels 

17) Baron Harkonnen’s Presentation

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Frank Herbert’s Baron Harkonnen is grotesque, sadistic, and verbose, embodying pure decadence and cruelty. Villeneuve’s films tone down these traits, portraying the Baron as calculating and restrained. His personal depravity and disturbing predatory nature, central to his characterization in the book, are largely absent. While this makes the Baron more palatable for modern audiences, it also softens his menace. By limiting his dialogue and focusing on his physical presence, the films shift attention to his political scheming rather than his depravity, reducing some of the visceral impact of his character.

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