The new HBO Original Series Dune: Prophecy is a prequel from Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel Dune. However, the series is based on the 2012 novel Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. which centers around the Sisterhood – the origins of the Bene Gesserit that is set 10,000 years before the birth of Paul Atreides.

Episode 1: The Hidden Hand is a sci-fi fantasy drama with amazing special effects and fascinating scenery. The episode introduces Valya Harkonnen (Emily Watson), and how she becomes the leader of the Sisterhood. Valya trains young women as truthsayers by putting them through rigorous physical and mental conditioning to develop supernatural abilities. They believe the tools to survive is strength – the power of humanity and lies – human’s greatest weapon. Valya also has a sister, Tula Harkonnen (Olivia Williams), who is the Reverend Mother. A power struggle emerges between the sisters. Tula uses power to guide, but Valya uses it to rule.

Meanwhile, Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) is entrusted to govern peacefulness in the Imperium, but is faced with his own struggles to maintain power and control by reluctantly deciding to allow the young son (literally a kid) of Duke Ferdinand Richese (Brendan Cowell) to marry his daughter Princess Ynez (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) to secure an alliance for when she becomes successor to the Golden Lion Throne. Matters intensify with Princess Ynez being influenced by her egocentric brother Constantine Corrino (Josh Heuston) and her lust for control over the Swordmaster Kieran Atreides. Throughout the turmoil, a mysterious solider Desmond Hart (Travis Fimmel) eases his way into the Imperium with the intention to gain Emperor Javicco Corrino’s trust.

It was truly exciting to watch the preview of the first episode Dune: Prophecy on the big screen. Showrunner Alison Schapker is known to emphasize the cinematic visual effects of the imaginative sci-fi world to the screen as evidenced in TV series Lost, The Flash, to critically acclaimed HBO’s series Westworld, and now Dune: Prophecy. Going with a high caliber ensemble accompanied by fresh promising actors will appeal to broader audiences due to the variety of characters and trajectory storyline. Viewers will definitely relate to the premise of the Sisterhood against “thinking machines” (AI technology) to preserve the power of humanity. Dune: Prophecy is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max on November 17, 2024.

Shudder, AMC Networks’ premium streaming service for horror, thriller and the supernatural, previewed its highly anticipated 2025 film lineup during a special panel at New York Comic Con 2024. The event, titled “Shudder is here to Scare the S*** Out of You,” was led by Shudder’s VP of Programming, Samuel Zimmerman, and featured a distinguished group of horror industry talents including actors David Dastmalchian and Devon Sawa, musician and director Flying Lotus, actor and director Kate Siegel, and director Tina Romero. During the panel, Shudder revealed several key updates: the upcoming release of DARK MATCH, a wrestling-themed horror film debuting on January 31, 2025, and a first-look teaser for the sci-fi horror feature ASH, set for theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025. Additionally, Shudder confirmed the greenlight for the highly anticipated eighth installment of the V/H/S franchise.

“At New York Comic Con we are not only celebrating an exciting 2024 at Shudder, showcasing the fearless and provocative voices of our filmmakers, but looking ahead,” commented Samuel Zimmerman. “As 2025 and our 10th anniversary draws near, DARK MATCH, V/H/S/8, and ASH are just the beginning of our boldest, most frightening year yet.”

Shudder has acquired the US, UKI, and ANZ rights to DARK MATCH, written and directed by Lowell Dean and starring wrestling superstar Chris Jericho (TERRIFIER 2), Ayisha Issa (TRANSPLANT), Steven Ogg (THE WALKING DEAD, WESTWORLD), Sara Canning (THE VAMPIRE DIARIES), Michael Eklund (THE CALL) and Jonathan Cherry (GOON). In DARK MATCH, a small-time wrestling company accepts a well-paying gig in a backwoods town only to learn, too late, that the community is run by a mysterious cult leader with devious plans for their match. The film will debut on Shudder on January 31, 2025.

The found footage franchise V/H/S will continue with an eighth film, set to debut on Shudder in 2025. The news comes on the heels of a record-breaking opening for the latest installment V/H/S/BEYOND, which debuted on Friday, October 4 and became the #2 most streamed film of all time across Shudder and AMC+ and the most streamed movie in the V/H/S franchise.

RLJE Films and Shudder have acquired the US rights to Grammy Award Winner Flying Lotus’ second feature ASH. The film stars Eiza González (BABY DRIVER, 3 BODY PROBLEM), Aaron Paul (BREAKING BAD, WESTWORLD), Iko Uwais (THE RAID, THE NIGHT COMES FOR US), Beulah Koale (NEXT GOAL WINS), and Kate Elliott (WENTWORTH), and will feature an original score composed by Flying Lotus, whose previous films include the Shudder Original KUSO and a segment in V/H/S/99. ASH will have a wide theatrical release through RLJE Films and streaming on Shudder in 2025. On the mysterious planet of Ash, Riya (González) awakens to find her crew slaughtered. When a man named Brion (Paul) arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues while Riya and Brion must decide if they can trust one another to survive.

The Countdown City Geeks are excited to return back to Westeros with their review of the season 2 premiere of House of the Dragon! Let us know your thoughts about the episode in the comments below. Catch all new episodes every Sunday night on the MAX streaming service and stay tuned this week for our House of the Dragon panel with King Aegon II, Tom Glynn-Carney!

See Tom Glynn-Carney and many more stars at this year’s Superhero Comic-Con!