A comparative analysis between The Mahdi from Dune (2021) and Imam Mahdī in the Twelver Shi'a tradition

The 2021 Hollywood film Dune captured audiences’ attention worldwide with its beautiful cinematography and compelling storytelling. The film tells the story of a messianic figure, The Mahdi, who is to save the people of Arrakis from oppression. An increasing number of media content is being produced in the US that depicts or refers to the personality of Imam Mahdī. In this research, I analyse The Mahdi archetype found in the film Dune (2021) and compare key characteristics to the Islamic and historical personality of Imam Mahdī. The character of The Mahdi from Dune (2021) shares key plot and character traits with Imam Mahdī in the Shi‘a narrative. However, the central question is whether The Mahdi from the film is a divinely appointed infallible and spiritual leader or a humanist and secular political leader.