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

Sayan
Dune 2 (Image sourced from Warner Bros)
Dune 2 (Image sourced from Warner Bros)

19) The Gom Jabbar Scene

Dune (Image sourced from Warner Bros)
Dune (Image sourced from Warner Bros)

The gom jabbar scene in the book explores Paul’s inner turmoil as he endures excruciating pain while grappling with Bene Gesserit’s expectations. The films simplify this moment by focusing on external tension, relying on visuals and Paul’s expressions to convey his struggle. This change makes the scene more accessible but diminishes the psychological depth that underscores Paul’s humanity and survival instincts. Without the rich internal monologue, the audience loses insight into his mental strength and the importance of his ability to control fear, which is central to the novel.

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Edited by Zainab Shaikh