1) Time Compression

In Frank Herbert’s novel, the events following House Atreides’ downfall span several years, allowing Paul to slowly build trust among the Fremen and hone his leadership skills. Denis Villeneuve’s films condense this timeline into a matter of months. This decision speeds up Paul’s journey, focusing more on key moments rather than his gradual integration into Fremen culture. While the streamlined approach helps maintain the film’s pacing, it sacrifices the depth of Paul’s transformation and the nuances of his rise to power, making his leadership feel more abrupt and less earned.
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Edited by Zainab Shaikh