Forget Dune, This Anya Taylor-Joy Sci-Fi Epic Is a Start-to-Finish Masterpiece

It was an act of cruelty that Denis Villeneuve gatekept St. Alia of the Knife in Dune: Part Two, but the female death-spirit who walks without feet will finally be revealed in earnest in Dune: Part Three. Anya Taylor-Joy was seemingly born to play Paul Atreides’ Abomination sister, Alia, and even still, the actor’s best sci-fi role was years earlier. Taylor-Joy’s most impressive character to date was in the Mad Max: Fury Road prequel, Furiosa, as the formidable, titular character.

Furiosa did not impress at the box office, but that is in no way representative of the masterful sci-fi movie. Many raised issues with the pacing of the film, remaining nostalgic for the high-octane thrill ride that Fury Road was. Furiosa was instead a more thoughtful and slow-burn story, which, in many ways, eclipsed the must-watch Tom Hardy venture. The prequel shows the future Imperator’s origins in the Green Place before she is taken and struggles to find safety in the wasteland of the outback. A far more ambitious tale than Fury Road, Furiosa was the first to put Taylor-Joy in the desolate wasteland of the desert.

‘Furiosa’ Is a Sand-Covered Masterpiece

Dune is perhaps the prototypical story full of sand, but the world of Mad Max was the first for Anya Taylor-Joy. George Miller created an iconic dystopian world with his franchise, which foresaw world powers collapsing and the only true commerce being the importance of guzzoline. Max makes his way through the wasteland in his Interceptor, drifting from area to area, but Furiosa’s story is one full of humanity and striving against the patriarchy.

Her narrative starts when she is snatched from her matriarchal life in the Green Place and given to the insane – and aptly named – Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Dementus uses Furiosa for his own purposes as he tries to gain more territory in a mad grab for power. The pre-adolescent uses her intelligence to escape into Immortan Joe’s service until she can cleverly blend into the surroundings of his Citadel.

Furiosa is a character dependent on survival by her own wits, a stark contrast to Fury Road. The prequel opts for character building instead of a straight action movie, and it works in its favor. Taylor-Joy carries the movie handily, even if it wasn’t beloved at the box office. She has the inner strength to carry Furiosa’s story, which is far from easy. Fans can see how this character melts seamlessly into Charlize Theron’s portrayal — which is night and day with the actor’s foray into Dune territory.

Furiosa Is Far More Heroic Than Alia Atreides

Furiosa charts the creation of a true hero. Though at first, she becomes a Praetorian as a way of survival, she finds the strength to fight for others. When she gains enough status and power, she becomes a beacon for Immortan Joe’s wives, eventually liberating them from sexual slavery.

This is a far cry from Paul Atreides’ sister, Alia, who is slated to be just as dangerous as her genocidal brother in Dune: Part Three. The second movie in the Dune franchise establishes that Alia loves Paul above all else in a simple scene. This is projected to be the case in the follow-up film, which will show the ramifications of this dynamic.

Alia will be Paul’s other half, the religious arm of his reign as Emperor of the Known Universe. The younger Atreides is far from a hero. Quite the opposite, in fact. Alia supports Paul in destroying billions of lives in his holy war that stretches across the galaxy. Her belief in her brother puts her closer to villain territory, which is the exact opposite of Anya Taylor-Joy’s role in Furiosa.

The rise of Furiosa as an Imperator is a hero origin story if there ever was one. Furiosa understands what it means to be breeding stock and that Immortan Joe’s reign is vile in his attempts to birth healthy male heirs. She cannot suffer his enslavement of these women and puts her life on the line to save them, no matter the cost.

Dune is a tragic cautionary tale, whereas Furiosa is the beginning of a feminist utopia. Taylor-Joy has no problem playing both these characters with ease, but when it comes to integrity and making the world a better place, Furiosa is the clear winner and a masterpiece from start to finish.

Release Date

May 24, 2024

Runtime

149 minutes

Director

George Miller