Dune: Part Two (2024) Movie Ending Explained

Dune: Part Two (2024) Movie Ending Explained: Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two (2024) is a much-anticipated sequel that continues our ostracized protagonist Paul Atriedes’ (Timothee Chalamet) empowering journey in the desert planet, Arrakis. While The Dune (2021) merely teased Paul’s destiny as a messianic figure, Dune: Part Two chronicles his ascension as the ‘Voice from the Outer World,’ aka Lisan al-Gaib. While Paul’s motivation to lead the native Fremen population to liberation and gift them a ‘Green Paradise’ sounds rousing enough, the Mahdi’s quest inadvertently carries a paternalistic notion that may destroy billions of lives in the galaxy. In this way, Denis Villeneuve and his co-writer Jon Spaihts ably translate Frank Herbert’s indictment on unquestioning faith and hero worship to screen.

It would be fascinating to see how Villeneuve further explores this deconstruction of the ‘Chosen One’ trope as it’s confirmed the filmmaker will adapt the second book in the series, Dune: Messiah. These two books offer the complete journey of Paul Atriedes and pose complex questions about fate, power, and identity. Of course, this is not the first time Denis Villeneuve has subverted our expectations of a ‘Chosen One’ archetype, as he previously made the Ryan Gosling starrer Blade Runner 2049 (2017).

Dune: Part Two (2024) Plot Explained:

Why Princess Irulan is troubled by her father’s actions?

Dune (2021) opens with “Dreams are messages from the deep,” uttered in the deep, guttural voice of the Sardaukar. Similarly, Dune: Part Two (2024) opens with the phrase, “Power over Spice is power over all.” It emphasizes how absolute control over spice production (a vital resource for intergalactic space travel and a symbol of wealth and status) bestows too much power over everything in the Known Universe. Dune: Part Two opens with Princess Irulan’s (Florence Pugh) diary entries that register the battle for Arrakis and the Harkonnen’s declaration of war against House Atreides. Irulan is troubled by her father, Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV’s (Christopher Walken) silence and inaction relating to this unprecedented attack.

Though the Emperor loved Duke Leto Atreides like a son, he was always driven by the calculus of power and often relied on House Harkonnen to do his dirty work. The Harkonnens have once again taken over Arrakis. Rabban (Dave Bautista), the Baron’s brutish nephew, is appointed to oversee the spice harvesting and production. Yet, Irulan’s journal reflects her uncertainty about Arrakis: “In the shadows of Arrakis lie many secrets…”

Paul and Jessica reach Sietch Tabr

On Arrakis, Paul and his pregnant mother, Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), are accompanied by Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and his troops to Sietch Tabr. Deep in the desert, as an eclipse bathes the landscape in dark orange, they come across a Harkonnen patrol with levitation suits. However, the Fremen have a home-field advantage as they cleverly ambush the Harkonnen patrol. The ones who escape the attack are swiftly dispatched by the Atreides son and mother duo. After extracting the water from the dead Harkonnen men’s bodies, they offer it to Shai-Hulud.

Paul joins the Fremen to carry Jamis’ corpse – the strong warrior Paul defeated at the end of the last part – to Sietch Tabr. Sietches are a network of tunnels and caves that provides shelter and the bare essentials to the minimalist Fremen community. The population of Sietch Tabr is apparently divided over the arrival of Paul and Jessica. But Stilgar believes Paul will be instrumental in transforming the desert landscape of Arrakis. He speaks of the signs of prophecy in Paul and Jessica’s arrival during his meeting with the Fremen Reverend Mothers. Later, Stilgar takes Lady Jessica to Sietch Tabr’s massive water basin. It contains water reclaimed from dead people using deathstill. The water extracted from Jamis’ body joins the waters of his ancestors. Stilgar says there are thousands of such sietches scattered across Arrakis.

What happens when Jessica drinks the Water of Life?

Stilgar explains that according to prophecy, Lisan al-Gaib will transform Arrakis into a ‘Green Paradise.’ He also mentions that Jessica is destined to become Reverend Mother. Since their Reverend Mother is dying, Stilgar asks Jessica to replace her by drinking the Water of Life. The blue-colored liquid can be poison for the untrained. With no other choice left, Jessica prepares herself for the ritual to imbibe the Water of Life. Since Jessica has had Bene-Gesserit training, she transmutes the poison and inherits the collective memories of Fremen ancestors. Moreover, the Water of Life makes the child, Alia, in Jessica’s womb ‘pre-born,’ i.e., Alia’s consciousness is fully awakened, and the unborn child communicates with Jessica. According to the Bene-Gesserit, all ‘pre-borns’ are considered ‘Abominations.’

While Stilgar is satisfied that the prophecy is fulfilled as Jessica has become Revered Mother, Chani and a few of the other young Fremen dispute Stilgar’s unquestioning belief in the prophecy, which itself was the result of Bene Gesserit’s “religious engineering.” Earlier, Chani explains to Paul that the Fremen from the Southern part of Arrakis fervently believe in the ‘Messiah.’ In fact, Stilgar is from the Southern Arrakis tribes. But Chani thinks the idea of a messiah will only entrap their people.

Paul Atreides becomes Paul Muad’Dib

Paul acknowledges that the prophecy is Bene Gesserit’s doing and declares that he is not the ‘Mahdi’ (messiah). Nevertheless, Stilgar and his men rave that Paul is too humble to accept his divinity, which, according to them, is a sign that he is the One. Later, a recuperating Jessica implores Paul to drink the Water of Life. She believes that once the poisonous liquid opens his mind, Paul will understand and fulfill his destiny. But Paul simply wants to fight alongside the Fremen and harness the ‘desert power’ to challenge the Harkonnens and the Emperor.

Paul is sent alone for a few weeks to survive in the desert on his own. It’s another way to test the prophecy and see how well the prophet acclimates to desert living. But in his brief stay away from the Sietch, Chani helps Jessica, and the seeds of their romantic relationship are laid. Meanwhile, Jessica plans to sway the non-believers to their side. The narrative then abruptly jumps some time forward as the Fedaykin fighters raid against the Harkonnen spice operations. Paul and Chani also join the fighters and smartly bring down a thopter guarding the spice harvester. The lore surrounding Paul intensifies after the fight as Stilgar gives him a Fremen name (Usul). Stilgar also asks him to choose a war name. Paul opts for the Fremen name for the desert mouse, Muad’Dib.

How did Paul further strengthen the Fremen’s belief in the prophecy?

Stilgar only becomes increasingly wide-eyed when Paul chooses this war name since Muad’Dib also means “The One Who Points the Way.” Paul Atriedes becomes Muad’Dib Usul. Chani looks at these developments with feelings of wariness. Nevertheless, she loves and respects Paul, who has chosen to fight alongside them, and since Paul also insists he is not trying to rule them. In the following weeks or months, Paul becomes a full-fledged Fedaykin fighter as they surreptitiously attack many Harkonnen spice harvesters. Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) hovers over the black liquid bathtub and intimidates a rabid Rabban to restore the spice production and obliterate the Fremen menace.

Paul gets ready for his big day. He needs to pass the final test of riding a sandworm to become a complete Fremen. However, Paul wakes up with a terrifying vision of a Holy War, triggered by his presence in the South. He sees millions of people starving to death. Stilgar eagerly anticipates Shai-Hulud’s (sacred to the Fremen) acceptance of Paul, whereas Chani hopes her beloved stays alive after his encounter with the sandworm. Paul succeeds in riding a sandworm, and that too a massive one, which the Fremen call a ‘grandfather worm.’ The news of Muad’Dib riding Shai-Hulud creates jubilation among all Fremen. Reverend Mother Jessica particularly uses this news to further strengthen the Fremen’s belief in the prophecy.

Dune: Part Two (2024) Movie Explained — Rebecca Ferguson as Revered Mother Jessica in “Dune Part Two” (2024)

Why did Jessica move to the southern part of Arrakis?

Chani expresses her inner fear to Paul. Since Paul is being worshipped by the Fremen and is seen more as a myth than a man, Chani wonders if she will lose him. Having convinced the Fremens of the North about Paul’s messianic status, Jessica decides to travel south to spread the word to the fundamentalists. Alia and Jessica persuade Paul to accept his destiny and not be swayed by love. But Paul firmly states the Fremen should be ruled by one of their own and condemns his mother’s Bene Gesserit ways to manipulate the indigenous population. Furthermore, the vision forces Paul to stay and fight in the north since he fears it will all come true if he travels south. Subsequently, Jessica and a group of Fremen ride the sandworms into the violent sandstorms of the south.

When the Fedaykin destroys the spice depot at Arrakeen, Rabban and his soldiers track the attackers. In the ensuing fight, Rabban narrowly escapes from the fierce Fedaykins. Emperor Shaddam IV, Princess Irulan, and Reverend Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) discuss how to deal with Muad’Dib, the new Fremen prophet. Irulan warns her father against sending Sardaukar forces or assassins because any form of repression will only help the religion and the faith to flourish. She asks the Emperor to wait till this conflict turns into a war so that he can play a peacemaking role.

What are Bene Gesserit’s plans for Feyd-Rautha?

Later, Irulan ponders whether Paul is alive and if he is Muad’Dib. Mother Mohiam warns her against this line of thinking. She says if Paul is really alive and the Great Houses get to know that the Emperor was behind Atreides’ liquidation, he will lose the throne. Mother Mohiam also mentions that the Bene Gesserit has already cultivated other prospects like Paul. One among them is the Baron’s youngest nephew, Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler). He shares the Baron’s lust for sadism, bloodletting, and power.

After Feyd-Rautha’s gladiatorial combat at the Harkonnen planet Giedi Prime, Baron announces Feyd-Rautha as Arrakis’ new ruler. Lady Margot Fenring (Lea Seydoux), a Bene Gesserit, is sent to Giedi Prime to evaluate the prospects of shaping Feyd-Rautha as a Kwisatz Haderach like Paul. Later, Lady Fenring reports to Mohiam and Irulan that despite being sexually vulnerable, Feyd-Rautha can be controlled. Moreover, she has secured Feyd-Rautha’s genetic lineage by seducing him.

While attacking a spice harvester, Paul reunites with Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), one of his late father’s most trusted aides. Gurney has survived this long in Arrakis with the help of his smuggler friends and with the sole aim of getting his revenge on Rabban Harkonnen. Gurney advises him to use the Fedaykin fighters to control the planet. Even if it’s a faith-based belief, Gurney sees no harm in exploiting it to gain power and avenge his father’s murder. But Paul reiterates his horrific vision if he travels south. Gurney says war is inevitable whether Paul seeks it or not. He also says that Paul will have the added advantage of firepower. Gurney knows the location of where Duke Leto hid the atomic weapons.

How the Water of Life is Collected?

After hearing this news, Paul has a mild change of heart. He tells Chani this could give them an upper hand since he can intimidate the Emperor and the Great Houses by aiming the atomics at the spice fields. Chani rightfully questions that if he controls the weapons, then he will naturally look forward to gaining power — power not just to threaten his enemies but also to rule the Fremen. Though Chani is getting increasingly skeptical of Paul’s motivations, she accompanies Stilgar and other Fremen to examine the Atreides’ secret stash of atomic warheads.

Princess Irulan’s diary entry mentions a Bene Gesserit intelligence report from the southern part of Arrakis. It describes a Reverend Mother speaking about the arrival of Lisan al-Gaib. With Muad-Dib impacting the spice production in the north and the gathering of fundamentalists in the south, Irulan believes there will soon be an escalation that leads to war. In the south, Jessica witnesses firsthand how the Water of Life is extracted. Trained Fremen women raise young sandworms. To get the Water of Life, the young sandworm is drowned in the water, and the liquid emerges right before the creature’s death. Jessica tells the woman at the temple that soon, a man will come to drink the Water of Life.

What happens when Paul takes the Water of Life?

The Water of Life could only be taken by women trained in Bene Gesserit’s ways. For men, it can be fatal. Nevertheless, Jessica believes her son will survive, and the liquid will unlock his genetic memories, making him susceptible to embracing his destiny. Feyd-Rautha attacks Sietch Tabr in the north, forcing Paul, Stilgar, Chani, and the surviving Fremen to travel south. While Paul dreads losing Chani if he goes south, Chani assures him that they will be together as long as he stays true to his self. Soon, Paul’s self will go through a massive transformation when he takes a sip of the Water of Life. In his vision, Paul sees an adult Alia (Anya-Taylor Joy) standing on a seashore on Arrakis, warning him about the hurtful nature of the truths he is about to learn.

Paul has fallen into a coma, which angers Chani. According to the prophecy, Paul will come back to life with the tears of Desert Spring. Earlier, Chani reveals to Paul that her real name is Sihaya (Desert Spring), which she has always hated. Jessica compels Chani to fulfill the prophecy, although Chani doesn’t believe it. She mixes her tears with the poisonous liquid and dabs it on Paul’s lips, which instantly awakens him. The Fremen, including Stilgar, bows at Muad’Dib, but having been forced to play a role in the prophecy, Chani retaliates by slapping Paul before storming out of the temple.

What’s the dark truth about Paul’s lineage?

Later, Paul speaks with Jessica about how his visions have become clearer. He says he can see all possible futures at once and that there is a ‘narrow way’ to overcome their enemies. Paul also states that he saw their bloodline and learned that Jessica is Baron Harkonnen’s daughter. Jessica herself didn’t know that until she took the Water of Life. In a matter-of-fact tone, Paul suggests they will survive by embracing the cunning nature of the Harkonnens. Later, Paul comes to the southern Fundamentalist Fremen’s meeting at a sietch. According to the Fremen tradition, only tribe leaders can speak at the meeting. Paul can take Stilgar’s place by killing him in a duel. Stilgar himself offers his life for Paul’s ascension to leadership.

But Paul, in a commanding tone, proclaims that he is Lisan al-Gaib. Though Paul’s act of defiance stuns the Fremen leaders, he makes them accept him as their messiah by reading their innermost thoughts. Upon declaring himself as the Duke of Arrakis, Paul sends Emperor Shaddam IV a message, indicating his knowledge of the Emperor’s responsibility in assassinating Duke Leto Atreides. Later, when Princess Irulan speaks of Paul’s challenge to the Emperor to Mother Mohiam, she questions Mohiam’s role in counseling the Emperor on terminating the Atreides bloodline.

Dune: Part Two (2024) Movie Ending Explained:

How did Paul destabilize the Sardaukar forces?

The Revered Mother furiously replies that ‘Kwisatz Haderach’ is a form of unchecked power that their universe has never experienced. While the Bene Gesserit have supervised House Atreides for generations, the Atreides have become increasingly defiant (like Jessica ‘choosing’ to have a son with Duke Leto instead of a daughter). Hence, the Bene Gesserit have conspired to put an end to House Atreides. Though their plan has now backfired, Mother Mohiam mentions they have lined up several prospects. She says that Shaddam IV will lose his throne, whoever wins (Paul or Feyd-Rautha), but Princess Irulan is crucial to their family (House Corrino) remaining in power.

Emperor Shaddam IV arrives at Arrakis with Irulan, Mother Mohiam, and the Sardaukar troops. When Baron sees that the Emperor has come to Arrakis, he asks Feyd-Rautha to send a message to the Great Houses that the Sardaukar are attacking Arrakis. The Emperor admonishes Baron Harkonnen for not investigating the identity of Muad’Dib. He also questions whether the Baron has examined the southern regions of Arrakis. When Baron gives an unsatisfying answer, a Sardaukar cuts off the Baron’s antigravity suit, making him fall to the ground. Using the impending sandstorm, the Fedaykin rides the sandworm to attack the Sardaukar forces. Paul also launches the atomics to destabilize the Emperor’s elite soldiers. Chani leads a group of Fremen towards a close combat with the remaining Sardaukar.

Paul gets his revenge

With attacks from every side, the Emperor and his entourage are trapped in the chamber. Only a few Sardaukars guard the Emperor. Paul walks straight to Baron, calls him grandfather, and stabs him in the neck. He asks his Fedaykin to give the Baron’s body to the desert, kill the Sardaukar, and bring the prisoners to him. The intense fight between the Fremen, Sardaukar, and Harkonnen forces extends to the night. Gurney Halleck has his revenge as he intercepts a fleeing Rabban and kills him. By dawn, the Fremen have killed the Sardaukar and the Harkonnens and burned their bodies in piles, just like the Harkonnens did after massacring House Atreides. Paul sees the warships of the Great Houses have arrived. He asks Gurney to bring his prisoners.

The Holy War Begins

Before addressing the imprisoned Emperor, Paul expresses his love for Chani to her, knowing that what he is about to do will cause a rift between them. He asks Gurney to warn the Great Houses that he will obliterate the spice fields if their warships attack. Paul challenges Shaddam for the throne and demands his daughter’s hand in marriage. Feyd-Rautha volunteers himself to fight for Shaddam. After an intense duel, Paul kills Feyd-Rautha. Princess Irulan accepts Paul’s marriage request to keep her father alive. Shaddam eventually gives in as he kneels and kisses Paul’s signet ring.

However, the Great Houses refuse to honor Paul’s ascension as the Emperor. Paul orders the Fremen to attack the orbiting warships. As Paul’s men leave in the captured Sardaukar ships to attack, Jessica tells Alia that it is the beginning of Muad’Dib’s Holy War. Chani feels absolutely betrayed by Paul. As she had feared, Paul would use his messiah status to lead Fremen into a war only to maximize his power and control over the universe. Dune: Part Two ends with Chani awaiting a sandworm’s arrival to go back to the north.

Dune: Part Two (2024) Themes Analyzed:

Power & Control

Dune: Part Two (2024) further explores how ironclad organizations and influential individuals wield power to take control of resources and people. Since Arrakis is the sole source of spice or melange, different forms of power – political, religious, military, and economic – come together to facilitate spice production, neutralize the native threat, and maintain the status quo. On the other hand, Paul’s prescient abilities unleash a new form of power in the Known Universe, and his nemesis fears that he represents the sort of centralized power that can make him control absolutely everything in the universe. The more prescient and powerful Paul becomes, the more he can choose a future he can survive and control.

Although Paul becomes an unassailable demigod, he is also trapped by his visions and messianic status that it doesn’t save people from suffering. When Paul says, “That’s how we will survive. By being Harkonnens,” he sort of accepts and capitalizes on warfare and repression to hold onto the positions of power. Religion also plays a vital role in controlling groups of people. Jessica, who has trained in the Bene Gesserit ways, takes advantage of the locally implanted myths in Arrakis to build a clear path for Paul’s rise among the Fremens. At the same time, the film hints at the dark implications of using religion as a tool of control. Paul knows from his visions that once he stokes the Fremen’s religious fervor by upholding the messiah myth, even he can’t stop the holy war from happening, killing billions of people around the universe.

Fate and Free Will

Dune: Part Two (2024) shows that individuals, irrespective of their power, can remain powerless to change their destinies. Paul has the ability to perceive a broad spectrum of futuristic possibilities. He can choose a future that can ultimately become a reality. Yet, while selecting a possible future, Paul has to accept that once certain things are set in motion, a set of consequences or outcomes will happen, upon which he can’t exert any control. The notion of free will and fate is one of the pivotal themes in Paul’s story and all the Dune books. It would be interesting to see how Villeneuve showcases Paul becoming a prisoner of his fate in the third Dune movie.

Dune: Part Two (2024) Movie Ending Explained & Themes Analyzed: Paul Muad’Dib Starts a Holy War

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Dune: Part Two (2024) Plot Explained: