The few more favorable reviews praised Lynch's noir-baroque approach to the film. Others compare it to other Lynch films that are equally hard to access, such as "Eraserhead," and assert that to watch it, the viewer must first be aware of the "Dune" universe. In the years since its initial release, "Dune" has gained more positive reviews from online critics and viewers. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval ratings of 53% based on 49 reviews, with an average score of 5.98/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "This truncated adaptation of Frank Herbert's sci-fi masterwork is too dry to work as grand entertainment, but David Lynch's flair for the surreal gives it some spice."