Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dune: Part Two.
Dune: Part Two sees Paul Atreides and his fiercely loyal Fremen followers launching a holy war against the Great Houses as they arrive on Arrakis – but what exactly makes it a holy war? The second half of Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal sci-fi novel picks up after Part One’s cliffhanger and sees Paul reckoning with his messianic purpose in his bid to take down the Emperor. The sequel ends with Paul triumphing over the Emperor and kickstarting a war with the other Great Houses.
Over the course of Herbert’s saga, this universe-wide conflict has massive ramifications. It provides crucial context for the events of the next book in the series, Dune Messiah. The Holy War is one of Dune’s most significant events. The conflict’s impact on the galaxy puts even more weight on Paul’s shoulders as he tries to come to terms with the necessary evils of his messianic reign. But what exactly makes this war a “holy” one?
Dune 2 Ending Explained: Paul Atreides’ Endgame & What It Sets Up
Dune 2’s ending delivers an epic conclusion to this chapter of Paul Atreides’ story, as the sequel also teases what is next for the sci-fi franchise.
The Role Of Religion In Paul Atreides’ Holy War On The Great Houses
Villeneuve doesn’t provide much of an explanation of why the war started in Dune: Part Two is described as a “holy” war, because the war only starts in the final moments of the film, so there wouldn’t have been much time to explain without hurting the pacing of the sequel’s ending. A clearer explanation of the Holy War will likely appear in Villeneuve’s planned third installment, Dune Messiah. But there are plenty of hints at the theological nature of the conflict included in the militaristic action of Dune: Part Two’s second and third acts.
Throughout the film, there’s a strong religious element to the conflict. Paul is described as a Messiah and the Fremen’s violent actions are carried out in the name of their so-called Messiah. Paul’s Jihad, or rather Muad’Dib’s Jihad, leads to not only billions of deaths, but also wipes out dozens of religions across the universe in support of their cause. Paul’s feud with the Emperor is personal, due to the death of his father Leto, but his path to revenge is inextricably tied to religion.
What Happens During The Holy War
In the Dune timeline, the Holy War takes place between 10196 AG and 10208 AG. Once the Fremen expanded their war off-world, the conflict spread across the Known Universe and led to the fall of millions of planets. The only planet that was spared in the Fremen’s relentless campaign was Caladan, the homeworld of House Atreides, due to Lady Jessica’s objections. The climactic battle in Dune: Part Two is just the beginning.
Dune: Part Two
Dune: Part Two is the sequel to Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 film that covers the novel’s events by Frank Herbert. The movie continues the quest of Paul Atreides on a journey of revenge against those who slew his family. With insight into the future, Atreides may be forced to choose between his one true love and the universe’s fate.
- Director
- Denis Villeneuve
- Cast
- Timothee Chalamet , Zendaya , Florence Pugh , Austin Butler , Rebecca Ferguson
