While anyone who has read Frank Herbert’s Dune will already know the entire plot of the sci-fi epic, many are only now getting introduced to the story through Denis Villeneuve’s films. If that’s the case, you might need clarification on Dune: Part 2’s ending and what it means for the series’ future.
Now, it goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway – there are going to be spoilers here. So, what are you even doing if you still need to book your tickets to Dune: Part 2? Go, watch the movie, and then come back and read this post – much like the ever-present Sandworms, it’s not going anywhere, I promise.
Dune: Part 2 again features Paul Atreides, who will end the film as the new Emperor of the Known Universe. Paul’s transformation is made possible thanks to the Fremen’s belief that Paul and his mother are a prophesied mother and son who will bring peace to Arrakis.
It’s also helped that the Bene Gesserit sisterhood believes Paul is the legendary Kwisatz Haderach, an all-powerful male heir who can see across space and time – which all works together to cement Paul as the most powerful man in the universe.
However, if Dune” Part 2 did anything, it was to show the sacrifices it took for Paul to become Emperor. The movie shows Paul living among the Fremen, and the bond he forms with Chani, the mysterious woman from his visions, come to life.
Throughout the film, we see Paul and Chani fall in love. As Paul’s power starts to grow, Paul makes a promise always to love Chani – which is why the movie’s ending can seem surprising to many.
Dune: Part 2 ended with Paul overthrowing Emperor IV and pledging to marry his daughter, Princess Irulan, leaving an Angry and heartbroken Chani to storm out and ride a sandworm into the setting sun.
Now for the explanation: during his rise to power, Paul ended up making his fair share of enemies, which resulted in the Great Houses not accepting his ascendancy, which led him to start his Fremen-backed holy war against them.
Paul also comes close to wiping out the entirety of House Harkonnen, the former governors of Arrakis and enemies of House Atreides. We see these bald former governors wiped out one by one, ending with Paul killing Feyd-Rautha in a dramatic knife battle after leading a sandworm charge against the Harkonnen forces.
But after Paul drinks the Water of Life, he sees that his mother is the daughter of Baron Vladimir, meaning that Paul has the Harkonnen lineage within him. Paul also sees his unborn sister, Alia, in the future, where she’s portrayed in a cameo by Anya Taylor-Joy.
Dune: Part 2 wrapped up the story of the first movie and book. The third Dune movie will likely focus on the follow-up novel, Dune Messiah. Dune Messiah takes place 12 years after the events of Dune and sees Paul’s sister, Alia, take on a much more significant role in the story.
The book continues the story of Paul’s reign as Emperor and the Fremen’s messiah; it also features all the characters that survived the first two films or the first book, depending on how you prefer to look at things.
However, those wanting the entire Dune experience will still be better off reading the books. Director Denis Villeneuve has already confirmed that we’re waiting for the third Dune film. Even when it does arrive, it will only cover the second book with no plans to adapt the rest of the series.
For those who don’t know, the original/core Dune books consist of:
- Dune: which was covered in these two Dune movies.
- Dune Messiah, which will hopefully be fully adapted in the third and final film.
Then there is still:
- Children of Dune
- God Emperor of Dune
- Heretics of Dune
- Chapterhouse: Dune
But now I want to know what you think of Dune: Part 2. Let me know in the comments.