Dune: Part One ending explained - What’s next for Paul and Jessica?

The sci-fi epic has an open ending that will leave viewers desperate for more details.

Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya in Dune

Warner Bros

Published: Thursday, 18 January 2024 at 6:50 pm

The much-anticipated Dune: Part Two is almost in cinemas but some may just be getting their heads around the end of Part One!

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The first film, directed by Denis Villeneuve, focused on young Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he and his family became the new stewards of the desert planet Arrakis, the source of the most powerful substance in the known universe - melange, also known as 'spice'.

However, betrayals see House Atreides come under fire from their bitter rivals House Harkonnen and its monstrous leader Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), forcing Paul and his powerful mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) to flee into the desert.

Once there, they encounter the planet's native population, the Fremen, and the titanic Sandworms.

So, how does Dune end and what does it mean for the sequel?

Dune: Part One ending explained

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune Part Two.

Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides in Dune Part Two. Niko Tavernise

The final act of Dune was devastating for House Atreides, as their enemies ganged up to eliminate their leader Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac) and leave their new home on Arrakis in ruins.

Paul's cherished mentor figure Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) was among the allies lost, while the fates of Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin) and Thufir Hawat (Stephen McKinley Henderson) were left unrevealed.

Paul and Jessica escape with help from Dr Liet-Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), taking a thopter into the desert and weathering an epic storm that leads the Harkonnens to believe them dead.

While Dr Liet-Kynes also loses her life, Paul and Jessica manage to get away and even escape death at the hands of a Sandworm.

Amid their time in the desert, Paul experiences prescient visions of the future, including seeing his mother covered in written scripture and cradling a baby with blue eyes, whilst also seeing him standing on a ship overlooking a planet with masses of warriors before him and a mysterious woman by his side, portrayed by Zendaya.

Zendaya as Chani in Dune: Part Two.

Zendaya as Chani in Dune: Part Two. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

They are taken in by the Fremen people – who have learned to devise methods to survive the hostile conditions of Arrakis over generations – after Paul bests one of their own in combat.

Among the Fremen community, he first encounters Chani (Zendaya) in the flesh, the mysterious young woman he has been experiencing visions about for some time.

She informs him: "This is only the beginning," which doubles as a statement of intent from director Denis Villeneuve to his audience, as the filmmaker will continue the story in a sequel.

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What will happen in Dune: Part Two?

Timothee Chalamet as a stern-looking Paul Atreides in Dune: Part Two.

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Warner Bros/Niko Tavernise

Warning: potential spoilers for Dune: Part Two follows.

Frank Herbert's Dune novel is separated into three parts – titled Dune, Mua'dib, and The Prophet respectively – with Villenueve's adaptation encompassing an abridged version of the first two.

Part three will presumably form the basis of his proposed film sequel, which sees Paul and Jessica settle into their roles in the Fremen community of Sietch Tabr under the watchful eye of its leader, Stilgar (Javier Bardem).

Jessica takes on the role of Reverend Mother (the position also held by Charlotte Rampling's Gaius Helen Mohiam), undergoing a ritual that involves ingesting a toxic substance misleadingly named the Water of Life.

The liquid, which is produced by a dying sandworm, has an effect on Jessica's unborn child while still in the womb, but she is ultimately born a girl and given the name, Alia.

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica in the garb of a Reverend Mother in Dune: Part Two.

Rebecca Ferguson as Lady Jessica in the garb of a Reverend Mother in Dune: Part Two. Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures

Two years pass and in that time Paul has a child of his own with Chani, while his abilities to see the future only grow stronger, leading the Fremen people to consider him a messiah.

Their belief is being deliberately manipulated by Paul, who is exploiting the false prophecies once spread by the Bene Gesserit's Missionaria Protectiva. Still, they do become a more effective fighting force under his leadership and free themselves from the bondage and repression of House Harkonnen and Emperor Shaddam IV Corrino.

This gets the attention of the villainous Baron Harkonnen, who took control of Arrakis after the fall of House Atreides, but now finds himself struggling to fight back against raids from the organised Fremen.

This sets the stage for an epic battle against Paul's forces and those of the Harkonnens, as well as a confrontation involving the Emperor who orchestrated the fall of House Atreides but was absent from the first part of Villenueve's adaptation.

Who dies in Dune: Part One?

Jason Momoa plays Duncan Idaho in Dune

Jason Momoa plays Duncan Idaho in Dune. Warner Bros

The following major cast members died in Dune: Part One.

Which new characters will be introduced in the sequel?

Austin Butler as the hairless Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring dressed in a blue headscarf and dress in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release.

(L-r) AUSTIN BUTLER as Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen and LÉA SEYDOUX as Lady Margot Fenring in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “DUNE: PART TWO,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Warner Bros/Niko Tavernise

Several new additions will arrive in the cast in the second part of Dune.

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Dune is now out on home entertainment release and is currently available to watch on Netflix. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.

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David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.

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Lewis is the news and trends editor at Radio Times and leads our approach to news, reactive content, and serving audience demands and interests. An obsessive fan of television and film, Lewis is a Nicole Kidman fanatic with a side of passion for science-fiction, art-house cinema and the latest HBO drama. Lewis has a degree in Psychology and a Masters in Film Studies. After working in advertising, Lewis worked at The Mirror for three years in community management and SEO, showbiz, film and television reporting.

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