‘Dune’ Ending Explained: Why The Timothée Chalamet Sci-Fi Epic Leaves You Wanting More

At long last, Denis Villaneuve‘s Dune has arrived. The epic adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel premieres both in theatres and on HBO Max today. Watch Timothée Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Javier Bardem, and a million other movie stars in movie that can only be described as “Lawrence of Arabia, but in space.”

But Dune is notorious for being as inscrutable as it is beloved. For super dweebs like yours truly, Herbert’s text is a part of our souls. For folks only familiar with David Lynch’s 1984 version, Dune is kind of a messy, weird, corny, complicated nerdfest saved by wild visuals and Sting in a space diaper. Denis Villeneuve’s Dune attempts to bridge this gap. It is a loving adaptation of its source material that focuses on the human relationships propelling the drama. Namely, the push and pull young Paul Atreides feels as his father grooms him for political leadership in a treacherous time. Making that all the more complicated? His mother’s hopes that he will fulfill years of prophecy and planning to become a superhuman being. It’s a lot for a kid! And he has to move! To a whole other planet! Sheesh!

If you’re struggling to make sense of Denis Villeneuve’s Dune or you’re confused by that super abrupt ending, we’re here to help. Here’s everything you need to know about the plot of Dune, the ending of Dune, and if there will be a Dune Part Two on HBO Max soon…

WHAT HAPPENS IN DUNE ON HBO MAX? DUNE PLOT SUMMARY:

Dune opens on Arrakis, a far-flung alien world covered in sand and famous for its super valuable commodity, the spice. In a voice over, Zendaya’s Chani explains that the Harkonnens have ruled over Arrakis for decades, stealing the spice and murdering the native Fremen, her people. One day the Harkonnens are recalled from the planet by the Emperor, leaving Chani and the Fremen to fear who comes next.

We then go to Caladan, homeworld of the noble House Atreides. The Emperor has decided to give Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac) control over Arrakis (nicknamed Dune) and the spice trade. The Duke’s son Paul (Timothée Chalamet) is haunted by prophetic dreams of both a mysterious woman on Arrakis (who is Chani) and the death of his mentor and best friend Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa). Paul struggles to live up to both his father’s ideals and his mother’s expectations. His mother is Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), a Bene Gesserit “witch” with enhanced powers including a mysterious “Voice” that can compel people.

While House Atreides prepares to travel to Arrakis, Lady Jessica’s Bene Gesserit teacher, Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling) travels to Caladan to inspect Paul. She puts him through a grave trial of pain before giving an ominous warning to Jessica. It seems that everyone — including Duke Leto — know that the jealous Emperor is giving Arrakis to House Atreides as a trap. Their lives are very much in danger. It also seems that Jessica believes that Paul is the “One” the Bene Gesserit have spent years of careful breeding to bring to life. Known as the Kwisatz Haderach in Herbert’s book, this man will have superior abilities and the power to change the universe.

When Paul and his family arrive on Arrakis, they learn that Duncan Idaho has successfully made diplomatic contact with the Freman, who are represented by Stilgar (Javiar Bardem). Stilgar seems to respect Duke Leto, while not welcoming his arrival on the planet. Paul also learns that the Bene Gesserits have planted superstitions among the Fremen awaiting a “Mahdi” or Messiah. They think the young noble is this Messiah so both Paul and Jessica have the delicate task of trying to use these superstitions for their own cause. Paul and his father eventually meet the impassive local “Judge of the Change,” Dr. Liet Kynes (Sharon Duncan-Brewster), during a tour of the spice fields that turn deadly. Dr. Kynes’s loyalty is officially to the Emperor, but obviously with the Fremen and Arrakis. She is quietly impressed with Leto’s heroism and Paul’s natural proclivity to Fremen custom. While inhaling the spice, though, Paul has a crippling psychadelic episode and has to be saved by weapons master Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin).

Elsewhere the Harkonnens, led by the monstrous Baron (Stellan Skarsgard) are lying in wait. Paul is almost killed by a hunter seeker, which ramps up tensions. The Reverend Mother travels in secret to the Harkonnens to confirm that the Emperor will loan them elite soldiers known as Sardukar to retake Arrakis from House Atreides. However, the Reverend Mother tells the Baron that Lady Jessica and Paul are under Bene Gesserit protection. The Baron promises not to harm either, but later tells his goons to throw the pair in the desert to let the planet take them.

House Atreides finds itself betrayed by Dr. Yueh (Chang Chen). He lowers the shield wall and scrambles communications, letting the Harkonnens and Sardukar in. He also incapacitates Duke Leto, to whom he confesses he only betrayed the family to save his wife Wanna’s life. He takes the Duke’s ring for Paul and implants a poison tooth in the Duke’s mouth, explaining if he bites down on it, the crown will shatter and poison gas will kill all around him. (The idea is the Duke will be able to murder the Baron.) However, when the Baron finally confronts Yueh, he kills the traitor, as he killed Wanna. Leto manages to bite down on the tooth, killing almost all the Harkonnens, but the Baron’s shield seemingly saves his life. Albeit, he is wounded.

While this is happening, Lady Jessica and Paul, who were both drugged by Yueh, wake up to find themselves in a thopter piloted by Harkonnen scum. After a struggle, Paul eventually uses “the Voice” to free his mother, who in turn manages to pick off their would-be killers. The thopter crashes in the desert, but Jessica and Paul discover a survival pack stashed by Yueh. Inside they find the signet ring, a sign Duke Leto is gone. Paul reveals his visions have fortold a holy war fought in his father’s name and the truth that Jessica is pregnant.

Eventually they are found by one of the few Atreides loyalists to survive the attack, Duncan Idaho. He takes them to Dr. Kynes, who attempts to hide them. However the Sardukar discover Kynes’s secret base and kill her Fremen guards. Duncan Idaho dies heroically battling the elite troops and Dr. Kynes is also struck by the Sardukar. Dr. Kynes is able to summon a sandworm to devour them all, a final blow of rebellion.

Paul and Jessica make a daring escape through a brutal storm, in which Paul relies on visions to guide him. After their thopter crashes (again!), they don stillsuits and struggle across the terrain. Eventually they draw the attention of a sandworm, which causes mother and son to sprint to the nearest rocks. There, a thumper draws the sandworm away and the two finally encounter Stilgar, Chani, and a host of other Fremen… all of whom believe the outsiders should be killed so that their bodies’ water can be consumed by the tribe….

HOW DOES DUNE ON HBO MAX END? DUNE ENDING EXPLAINED:

How does Dune end? Well, it just ENDS!

After skeptical debate amongst the Fremen about Paul’s Messianic status, Stilgar argues he’s young enough to learn the ways of Arrakis, so he can be spared. Jessica is too old and must die. Jessica fights Stilgar and subdues the Fremen leader with her “weirding” ways. (The Bene Gesserits are also skilled martial artists, duh.) In the hubbub, Paul overwhelms a pugnacious Fremen named Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun). Paul has also had visions of Jamis, first offering him guidance and later killing the young Duke with a crysknife, the sacred weapon of the Fremen. Stilgar calls a truce and Paul discovers that Chani — the literal woman of his dreams — was standing in wait behind him the whole time.

Jamis is offended by what has happened and challenges Jessica to a duel, but since she can’t fight, Paul must be her champion. Chani offers Paul her crysknife so he can die with honor. However Paul is able to overtake Jamis. After first trying to get the Fremen to yield — not understanding the Fremen fight to the death — Paul kills Jamis. Stilgar announces this means he is now one of the Fremen.

The film ends with Paul confirming that he will go with Stilgar and Chani and harness “desert power.” As they head towards the Sietch, Chani mentions “this is only the beginning.” But, you know, it’s technically the end. So what gives?!? Dune just ends…there?!

WILL THERE BE A DUNE PART TWO ON HBO MAX?

That’s the real question, isn’t it? Denis Villeneuve always intended to break Frank Herbert’s novel into two parts, with the first following Paul as the POV protagonist and Dune Part Two told through the eyes of Chani. The moment where he breaks the story up is just about halfway through the three-part novel. Paul kills Jamis in ritual combat (after already vibing with the Fremen for a few chapters). Then Paul learns more about the Fremen culture from Chani, Jessica undergoes a dangerous trial of her own, and Paul’s prophecies start coming true. After that, the action jumps a few years in the future for the final showdown between House Atreides and their Fremen allies and House Harkonnen for the soul of Arrakis.

So if you want to see Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya fall in love, ride giant sand worms, and spark an intergalactic revolution for the future of Arrakis’s eco-system, you’re going to have to hope that Dune is a hit for Warner Bros. Villeneuve was only able to film Part One. Dune Part Two will only be greenlit if the film is a big enough success or — I guess — vocal Dune bros like yours truly launch a successful hashtag campaign.

Fingers crossed the spice flows for Dune this weekend because otherwise Denis Villeneuve’s Dune will be the greatest unfinished story ever made.

(And trust me, you want to get to that time jump just to meet Paul’s sister Alia.)

Where to stream Dune