Dune: Part Two brings back the story of Paul Atreides, who has risen as a savior after the downfall of House Atreides, as depicted in Dune: Part One. What choices can he make between the holy war he foresees and the harsh realities he experiences around him? Is he truly the messiah of Arrakis and the savior of the Empire “as written”? Let us step into the world of Dune to find the answers to these questions.
Arrakis Was Known by a Fremen Name
-It Is My Desert, It Is My Dune
Dune: Part Two, directed by Denis Villeneuve, was released on February 28th as the sequel to Dune: Part One, released in 2021. Villeneuve’s Dune franchise is an adaptation of the eponymous novel series Dune written by the American author Frank Herbert, first published in 1965. While there were several previous attempts at adaptation due to the richly detailed universe and grandeur of the series, Villeneuve’s version is only the second film adaptation since David Lynch’s in 1984. Villeneuve first read the novel Dune at the age of 13 and dreamed of making the film adaptation throughout his life, thus honing his passion and devotion to the work. Furthermore, Hans Zimmer, who composed the music for both Dune: Part One and Dune: Part Two, is also a sincere fan of the original novel series and poured his heart into his work. With such dedication from the production team, Dune: Part Two has grossed over $500 million, and anticipation for the third film continues to grow among audiences.
-Synopsis (*Spoiler Alert)
In Dune: Part One, House Atreides is sent to the planet Arrakis, where House Harkonnen has monopolized spice production under the Emperor’s orders. However, this is a betrayal of the Emperor, who intended to curb the growth of the Atreides. The combined attack of the Harkonnen and the Sardaukar, who are the Emperor’s forces, swiftly annihilates the entire House Atreides in a night. Though Duke Leto is murdered, his son Paul and Lady Jessica narrowly escape, cast into the desert with nothing. At the end of Dune: Part One, they encounter the Fremen, the indigenous warriors of Arrakis, and pass the test to be part of them. Some Fremen, influenced by messages planted by the Bene Gesserit to which Lady Jessica belongs, see Paul as their savior, Lisan al Gaib, the voice from the outer world. As Paul becomes romantically involved with Chani and actively participates in Fremen’s affairs, their religious belief in him grows stronger. Meanwhile, as the Fremen expand their influence, Feyd-Rautha, the nephew of the Baron, is sent to eliminate the Fremen’s disruption of spice cultivation. Amidst the attacks of Feyd-Rautha and the presence of the Emperor, alongside the prophecies glimpsed by Paul, what choices will he ultimately make?
Kwisatz Haderach, Shortening of the Way
-Face the Beauty and Fear
In Dune: Part Two, there are several points to focus on. Firstly, there are intriguing parallels between Feyd-Rautha, the villain, and Paul until their final confrontation. Feyd-Rautha becomes a Harkonnen hero through a brutal rite in his coming-of-age ceremony, reminiscent of Paul’s later elevation to hero status through a speech at the end. Additionally, the climactic battle between Feyd-Rautha and Paul against a setting sun symbolizes their mirrored roles. Considering Feyd-Rautha’s depiction as a psychopath and his resemblance to Paul’s hidden cruelty, he could be interpreted as a manifestation of Paul’s darker side. Furthermore, the repeated images show the overturned positions. The scene of House Atreides’ annihilation and the burning of their bodies, depicted in both movies, mirrors Paul burning the corpses of Sardaukar and Harkonnen soldiers. This not only reflects the change in Paul’s perspective but also serves as a device to illustrate his decency transformed into ruthlessness. Additionally, the change in the house seal, from when Duke Leto received the Emperor’s envoy to Paul sending an envoy to the Emperor for revenge, depicts the reversal of power dynamics between Paul and the Emperor. These points add depth to the narrative and characters, enhancing the thematic richness of Dune: Part Two.
-Is He the Real Messiah?
The film embodies the deep contemplation of whether Paul, depicted as the savior by the Fremen prophecy, is truly the hero. Despite Paul in the film making different choices from the novel, it still maintains the theme of vigilance against messiahship and belief. The audience is made to build trust in Paul while instilling caution at the same time. Firstly, Paul foresees a future where millions die after he chooses holy war and confides this fear to his lover Chani, who comforts him. However, when Paul volunteers to step forward as the Fremen’s savior and initiate the war, Chani opposes him, eventually leaving his side. Chani, who never showed faith in religion from the beginning and is the only character to deny the fulfillment of the prophecy, serves as a strong thematic representation. Moreover, Stilgar, the strict leader of the northern Fremen, begins to exhibit aspects of fanaticism, which serves as a caution against blind belief. Stilgar’s fervent declaration — “I do not care what you believe. I believe!” — directly exposes his clouded judgment due to his faith in the prophecy. Above all, the realization that the Fremen’s beliefs of Lisan al Gaib stemmed from the missionaries of the Bene Gesserit raises doubts about whether their prophecy truly heralds the arrival of a hero.
