Dune Part Two ending explained: Is Paul Atreides the messiah?

Get ready to return to the planet of Arrakis with Paul Atreides, Chani and more as Dune: Part Two just dropped in cinemas and we've explained the explosive ending to the highly-anticipated sequel.

The sci-fi film stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Austin Butler and follows Paul after the attack on his family. Now, he is seeking revenge against the Harkonnens while trying to learn the ways of the Fremen and choose between love and duty, as he tries to prevent a dark future that only he can see.

So, is Paul really the Messiah the Fremen believe he is? Plus, are Paul and his mother, Lady Jessica, able to survive? Here is the ending of Dune: Part Two explained.

Paul Atreides becomes the messiah

Paul goes to the south of Arrakis where he drinks from the Water of Life in the religious temple and soon, we see him passed out in the temple with his mother, Stilgar and the Fremen surrounding him.

As he clings on for life, Chani arrives and runs to his side where she questions Paul's mother, Lady Jessica, who tells her that it is part of the prophecy. Then, Jessica uses The Voice to order Chani to play her part in the prophecy to which she cries, mixes her tears with the Water of Life and places the mixture on Paul's lips.

Soon, Paul wakes up but Chani slaps him and leaves, likely due to him risking his life by drinking the Water of Life and choosing to be the messiah (also referred to as The One, Muad'Dib and Lisan Al-Gaib) over being with her.

Lady Jessica is Baron Harkonnen's daughter

Soon after, Paul speaks with his mother where he tells her that he now sees his visions more clearly since drinking the Water of Life and has learned that she is, in fact, Baron Harkonnen's daughter.

She says she also didn't know until she drank the Water and became the Reverend Mother, but they now both realise that being a Harkonnen is one of their only chances of survival.

Paul addresses the Fremen as the messiah

Back inside the temple, the Fremen are gathered in prayer when Paul arrives, and Stilgar tells him he must kill him and take his place as leader of the Fremen. Meanwhile, Chani tries to disturb the meeting but Gurney stops her.

But, Paul refuses to kill Stilgar as he is one of their strongest soldiers and tells the Fremen he will lead them to paradise as not only their leader, but as the Emperor of Arrakis.

Later, Princess Irulan learns that Paul has challenged her father's place as Emperor and questions their Reverend Mother, who tells her that she was the one who planned for the attack on House Atreides and tells the Princess she must maintain their bloodline.

As the Harkonnen's attacks begin to fail, they hold a meeting with the Emperor but Paul and the Fremen soon arrive as war rages between the Houses outside. Here, Paul addresses Baron Harkonnen as his grandfather then kills him.

Then, he addresses The Emperor and Princess Irulan, to which The Emperor greets Paul as the Muad'Dib. As the battle continues outside, Gurney kills Glossu Rabban Harkonnen as revenge for the murder of Duke Leto and his friends.

Later, during a pause in battle, Paul, Chani, Gurney, Lady Jessica and other Fremen are gathered where Paul tells Chani he will love her for as long as he breathes. Then, The Emperor, Princess Irulan, Feyd-Rautha and other Harkonnen's arrive to which Paul threatens to blow up the remaining Spice reserves if they continue their attacks.

Here, Paul then says he will marry Princess Irulan to form a political alliance, much to Chani's shock and heartbreak. Yet, Feyd-Rautha still decides to challenge Paul and the two engage in a tense, violent battle with Feyd-Rautha even threatening Chani, but Paul kills him.

Then, Paul also says The Emperor much pay for his crimes against the Atreides' family but has mercy on him per the Princess' request. With this battle over, everyone bows to Paul, apart from Chani.

The Holy War begins
The Fremen then inform Paul that the other Houses still refuse to honour Paul as the new Emperor of Arrakis, but the Fremen still support him as the Lisan Al-Gaib.

So, Paul decides that they must attack the other Houses, causing the beginning of the Holy War that he had predicted all along. Yeah, Dune: Part Three can't come any sooner!

Dune: Part Two is in cinemas now.