After a year of delaying Denis Villeneuve's new film Dune, fans were finally able to see the grand space epic. Many complimented the director on his use of expansive landscapes and score. The film has since left HBO Max, but that doesn’t stop fans from talking about it.
Reputable actors such as Rebecca Ferguson and Oscar Isaac star as the heads of House Atreides. But some casting was not as widely accepted. The casting of Zendaya in the role of Chani was especially controversial. Some fans did not believe that she could pull off the stoic future love interest of Paul Atreides. But what were the most surprising unpopular opinions about Zendaya as Chani?
Her Portrayal Is Boring
Zendaya’s casting and ultimate performance in Dune triggered some discourse. Her character Chani is one of the reasons that Paul is so sure going into the desert is the right thing to do. One particular audience member had an interesting perspective. “Her portrayal of Chani is both boring and underwhelming at best,” says Redditor Ninjawithagun.
This is an unpopular opinion about Dune (2021) in general as well. Most of Chani’s appearances are through Paul’s visions, or in the last ten minutes of the movie when he officially meets her. Chani was not the focus of these scenes and thus it would be difficult for Zendaya to emote. The Fremen are stoic people, and her role is to be mysterious.
Her Cast Mates Were Better
Dune is stacked with acclaimed actors. But one Reddit user thinks that Zendaya’s portrayal of Chani paled in comparison. “Her portrayal as Chani in Dune was really underwhelming and that fact was highlighted by the incredible performance given by her cast mates,” says AcronymTheSlayer.
Even so, Chani is the character that interacts with everyone else the least. Paul and Jessica have the meatiest roles with the most to work with. Chani only interacts with Paul and for a brief amount of time, so Zendaya didn't have the opportunity to flex her acting chops.
Chani Is Surrounded By Too Much Slow-Motion
Denis Villeneuve clearly creates artful sci-fi films, and many have called Dune epic cinema. But some have not. “Slo mo shots of Chani and shots of orthincopters. BORING,” says Reddit user JuneBugSpade10.
Many reviews of the film have stated the contrary, lauding the cinematic techniques used in the film. Chani is meant to be living in an exotic world that Paul becomes enraptured by, so slow-motion is a style used to great effect.
She’s Too Sarcastic
Many Dune readers have a problem with humor in the films. One unpopular opinion about Jason Momoa’s portrayal was that he was too funny. This Reddit poster seems to agree. “She was a terrible choice to play Chani in Dune. She made Chani seem so sarcastic”.
For certain, Chani exhibits a bit of dryness in her deliveries. But Zendaya’s choice to do this makes sense. Chani is doubtful of Paul being the Kwasitz Haderach. She is holding him at arm’s length until she sees what he can do.
She Can Only Play Herself
Many fans are getting hung up on the star power of Zendaya. This one Reddit user thinks that Zendaya was not acting the part of Chani. She was only acting as herself. “Just saw her in dune, she was basically Zendaya, playing Zendaya in the desert, people make fun of that girl from Twilight, next to Zendaya, that girl is oscar worthy,” comments THELEBANESEUNBOXER.
Zendaya portrays many different subtle emotions in the short time she’s onscreen, and she has played varied roles in her career. Zendaya’s Chani significantly warms to Paul by the end of the film, showing him the way of her people.
Zendaya Is Too Popular To Be Chani
Many famous actors have been cast in the 2021 Dune film. Some actors are more accomplished than others, but one Redditor is unimpressed by Zendaya. "I’ve never understood her massive popularity,” confesses sturgeon11. Many other posters also think she’s overhyped. “Zendaya was used as bate to draw in more viewers,” says Reddit user Fit_Yogurtcloset8788.
Zendaya has been cropping up in more franchises as of late. But that is the nature of the industry, and she's hardly the only recognizable face in the movie. Timothée Chalamet continues to be in critically acclaimed films while Oscar Isaac is the upcoming Moon Knight. Many of the actors are blowing up, including their inclusion in Dune.
She Has No Range
Chani’s screen time only amounts to several minutes, but some fans think that’s enough to demonstrate acting ability. “She has played in many feature films yet has shown zero growth. It’s the same monotone, forced, emotionless, acting. She has no acting range whatsoever,” says one Redditor.
Zendaya’s role as Chani is far different from her other popular roles. Chani exemplifies being reserved, as her people are unfamiliar with Paul and naturally distrustful of outsiders. This differs from her roles in Spider-Man and Euphoria.
Chani’s Depiction Is Sexist
Chani is in Dune so briefly that it is difficult for her depiction to offend anyone on a grand scale. However, one Reddit user thinks that Chani’s depiction was sexist. “All of the experimental flashes of Chani are merely to serve Paul (part of the work’s sexism),” comments J_Sto. This post suggests that Chani was only there to be of use to Paul and has no interior life.
Paul’s visions show Chani talking to him and encouraging his growth. But this is how the visions work in Dune. Paul needs to be led to being Kwasitz Haderach. Chani is a touchstone for him and eventually, the audience sees her with a personality and her way of doing things. She ultimately is meant to be his second-in-command and, as only book readers know of Dune know, his concubine.
Chani Was Shoehorned Into The Story
From the first moment of Dune, Paul’s story revolves around Chani. He dreams of her constantly, trying to find how she connects to Arrakis. Some audiences think that was forced. “The constant shoe-horning of (Zendaya™)Chani(Zendaya™), who despite only being in the film for the last 5 minutes managed more screen time than most actual players...were all enough to kind of keep me constantly off-balance,” says Redditor elohir.
Chani only meets Paul at the very end of the film. She has little screen time which was criticized by many fans. Instead of feeling like she was forced into the narrative, most fans wanted to see more of her since the trailers showed her being a central figure in the film.