Dune (2020) Ending Explained
TL;DR:
The ending of Dune (2021) sees Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), surviving the Harkonnen massacre and joining the Fremen on Arrakis. Paul embraces his destiny as the prophesied Lisan al Gaib, defeating Jamis in a duel and earning the Fremen's respect. The film concludes with Paul and Jessica venturing into the deep desert with the Fremen, setting the stage for his transformation into a messianic leader and the brewing war against the Emperor and House Harkonnen. The ending is a cliffhanger, teasing Paul's rise to power and the larger conflict to come in Dune: Part Two.
Detailed Explanation of the Ending
The climax of Dune revolves around Paul's acceptance of his role among the Fremen, a pivotal moment that solidifies his connection to Arrakis and its people. After escaping the Harkonnen attack on his family's stronghold, Paul and Jessica are forced to survive in the harsh desert. Their encounter with the Fremen, particularly Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and Chani (Zendaya), tests Paul's resilience and adaptability. The Fremen initially view him with suspicion, but Paul's demonstration of combat skills and his growing prescient abilities begin to align with their ancient prophecies of a messiah who will liberate them from oppression.
The duel with Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun) serves as the film's emotional and thematic crescendo. Paul is reluctant to kill, but the Fremen's rigid code of honor leaves him no choice. His victory cements his place among them, as they interpret his actions as further proof of his divine destiny. The moment is bittersweet; Paul recognizes that his path is now intertwined with the Fremen's struggle, but he also fears the bloodshed his rise may unleash. Jessica, now the Fremen's Reverend Mother after consuming the Water of Life, reinforces Paul's messianic image, further binding him to a future he cannot escape.
The film's final scenes depict Paul and Jessica being welcomed into the Fremen sietch, a subterranean city where they begin to assimilate into the culture. Paul's visions intensify, showing glimpses of a holy war-the "jihad"—that will spread across the universe in his name. These visions haunt him, as he grapples with the moral weight of his destiny. The last shot of Paul and Chani riding a sandworm into the desert symbolizes his full embrace of Arrakis and his transformation from noble son to a leader of the Fremen. It's a powerful visual metaphor for his newfound power and the inevitability of the conflict to come.
Unresolved Questions
- Will Paul fully embrace his role as the Kwisatz Haderach?
- Possible Answer: Dune: Part Two will likely explore Paul's internal conflict as he balances his humanity with the demands of his prescient destiny.
- What will happen to House Atreides' surviving allies?
- Possible Answer: Characters like Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) may reunite with Paul and join the Fremen's fight.
- How will the Emperor and Baron Harkonnen respond to Paul's rise?
- Possible Answer: The Emperor may dispatch his Sardaukar forces in greater numbers, leading to all-out war.
- What is the true nature of the Fremen's prophecy?
- Possible Answer: The Bene Gesserit may have manipulated the prophecy, making Paul's role more complex than it seems.
Personal Opinion
The ending of Dune is masterfully executed, blending spectacle with profound thematic depth. Denis Villeneuve's direction ensures that the emotional weight of Paul's journey is never lost amid the grandeur of Arrakis. The film's cliffhanger leaves audiences craving more, yet it also stands as a satisfying arc of Paul's initial transformation. My only critique is that some viewers unfamiliar with the book might find the ending abrupt, but the lingering questions only heighten anticipation for Part Two. Overall, Dune succeeds as both a sci-fi epic and a character study, setting the stage for an even more explosive continuation.
The film's ambiguity about Paul's destiny-whether he is a true savior or a pawn of larger forces-adds layers of intrigue, making the wait for the sequel all the more excruciating. The ending doesn't just set up a sequel; it deepens the mystery of Paul's identity and the cost of his ascension.