Atreides family - rulers of the planet Caladan. They are a highly influential noble house in the universe, serving under the authority of the Padishah Emperor Shaddam Corrino IV. Duke Leto Atreides leads House Atreides, while Lady Jessica, his concubine, is a member of the secretive Bene Gesserit sisterhood. The Bene Gesserit is known for their mysterious intergalactic practices, including intense physical and mental training, which grants them almost superhuman abilities. Lady Jessica has recently given birth to a son named Paul.
When Paul is a teenager, he has a recurring dream about a desert planet. Lady Jessica wakes him up before dawn and tells him that he must meet with the head of the Bene Gesserit, the Reverend Mother Mohiam. Paul is taken to a room where the Reverend Mother holds a poisoned needle called the gom jabbar to his neck. She instructs him to place his hand in a mysterious box to test his abilities. The box inflicts intolerable pain on whoever's hand is inside, and if Paul flinches, the gom jabbar will kill him instantly. However, Paul manages to endure the pain and passes the test.
The Reverend Mother and the other Bene Gesserit sisters reveal that a terrible event will bring about the end of House Atreides, resulting in the death of Duke Leto. This event will occur on the desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune, and will likely involve their enemies, House Harkonnen, who have controlled Arrakis for the past 80 years.
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen, the head of House Harkonnen, is meeting with his advisor Piter De Vries and his teenage nephew Feyd-Rautha. The Baron expresses his deep hatred for House Atreides and reveals his plan
to use the transfer of power on Arrakis to bring down Duke Leto.
The Baron points out Piter's slow and careful cunning, despite Piter being a violent psychopath. Piter is a Mentat, a political advisor who has been trained and conditioned to have supercomputer-like brain functions. However, Mentats were banned after the Butlerian Jihad. Piter is also addicted to melange, a hallucinogenic substance found only on Arrakis, known as "the spice." Melange is highly valuable as it is necessary for space travel and grants prophetic powers to those who consume it.The Baron predicts that Duke Leto will make Arrakeen the capital city on Arrakis and plans to kill Paul. He has a secret double agent in House Atreides who will betray Leto by lowering the shields, allowing the Harkonnen forces to kill all the Atreides armies. The Baron has also formed an alliance with the Emperor, who will send elite Sardaukar warriors to help crush House Atreides. The Baron and Piter believe that once their plan succeeds, they will control the lucrative spice trade in the galaxy, and the Baron celebrates by indulging in food.
The Reverend Mother and Lady Jessica discuss Paul. Lady Jessica, being a member of the Bene Gesserit, was told that she should have a daughter rather than a son. However, she chose to have a son because she loves Duke Leto and believes that Paul may be the Kwisatz Haderach, a messianic figure destined to bring enormous change to the universe. Lady Jessica is confident that she can protect Paul, but the Reverend Mother is unsure. She instructs Paul to join them and describe his prophetic dreams about a girl on Arrakis. When Paul asks about his family's fate, the Reverend Mother reveals that her order has done what they can for Paul and Jessica, but Duke Leto is doomed. She advises Lady Jessica to improve Paul's training in the Voice, a vocal technique that compels people to obey the speaker's orders. The Reverend Mother leaves, concealing her tears.
Paul meets with Thufir Hawat, the Mentat for the Atreides family. They discuss House Atreides' upcoming departure for Arrakis and the hostile conditions on the desert planet. Hawat provides information about the local people called the Fremen, who have adapted to the arid desert environment by using special stillsuits to recycle their body's water. The Fremen's eyes are blue due to their exposure to the spice. Hawat admits that the Duke knows going to Arrakis is a trap, as it was ordered by the Emperor. However, despite knowing this, the Duke still plans to go. After their conversation, Gurney Halleck, the Duke's military officer, enters for Paul's regular sparring lesson. Gurney insists on sparring, even though Paul is tired, as he believes Paul may need to fight in unexpected moments. They engage in a practice with blades and shields,but privately, Gurney mourns the loss of Paul's childhood and innocence.
After Paul's sparring session, he meets with Dr. Yueh. They discuss Arrakis, the Fremen, and the giant sandworms that produce the valuable spice on the planet. Throughout their conversation, Yueh knows that he will eventually betray the Atreides family. As a gift, Yueh gives Paul a book, but when Paul reads a passage, Yueh is reminded of his wife, who has been kidnapped and tortured by the Harkonnens.
Duke Leto visits his son Paul to discuss their upcoming departure to Arrakis. He explains to Paul how House Atreides can benefit politically and financially from gaining control of the planet. Paul expresses his concerns about the Harkonnens, but Leto assures him that he is aware of the Harkonnens' and the Emperor's conspiracy against them. He plans to use the Fremen as strong allies to counter the betrayal. Leto advises Paul to be prepared for action and continue his training as a warrior, a Bene Gesserit, and a Mentat.
House Atreides moves to Arrakis, and Lady Jessica oversees the relocation, giving orders on where things should be placed. Duke Leto interrupts her to discuss the new staff, including the head housekeeper, a Fremen woman named the Shadout Mapes. Lady Jessica meets with Mapes and realizes that she is carrying a hidden weapon. The weapon turns out to be a Fremen crysknife, made from a sandworm's tooth. Mapes believes that Lady Jessica is part of an ancient Fremen prophecy and presents her with the ceremonial gift. Lady Jessica accepts the gift and lightly cuts Mapes to satisfy the custom. She knows that the prophecy, like many others, was deliberately planted by the Bene Gesserit centuries ago. Lady Jessica welcomes Mapes into the household.
Dr. Yueh meets with Lady Jessica and pretends to be polite, hoping to divert her attention from his impending betrayal. They discuss Paul and the nature of Arrakis. Lady Jessica pities Yueh, assuming that his wife has been killed by the Harkonnens. She considers him a good friend and confidant. They also discuss Duke Leto's decision not to marry Lady Jessica, which Lady Jessica understands to be politically motivated. However, she privately admits tofeeling hurt by his choice.
Paul is awake during the night and notices a small hunter killer robot entering the room. He manages to destroy it before it can assassinate him or Shadout Mapes. Mapes believes that Paul has saved her life and tells him that she now owes him a water burden, which is a significant debt in Fremen culture. As repayment, she shares information with Paul about an unknown traitor within House Atreides.
Lady Jessica discovers a mysterious room in their new home on Arrakis. Using her Bene Gesserit skills, she opens the room and finds a secret garden inside. The lush garden, in the midst of the desert planet, is a luxury. Within the garden, she discovers a note left by Lady Fenring, the Emperor's previous representative. The note contains a secret code, hinting at the Baron's plans. Paul enters the room, still holding the broken hunter killer robot. They discuss potential suspects who might betray House Atreides. Neither of them wants to suspect Thufir Hawat, whose men have increased security in response to the failed assassination attempt. Lady Jessica sends Paul to talk to his father. As they part ways, she notices someone in the distance using a flashing light to send a secret code.
Duke Leto is furious about the assassination attempt on Paul's life. Internally, he is struggling to feel at home on Arrakis. He has a discussion with Gurney Halleck, giving orders to increase security and attempting to persuade the departing spice workers to stay on Arrakis. Leto focuses on rallying the morale of his men but still worries about Paul.
Leto and Paul discuss the assassination attempt, and Paul defends Thufir Hawat. Leto refuses Hawat's resignation. At a staff meeting, Leto addresses another pressing matter - sabotage of the spice mining equipment by the Harkonnens, which puts House Atreides in a difficult position. Despite the immense value of spice, it may take years and significant investment before they can turn a profit. With limited support, Leto plans to recruit the Fremen to strengthen their forces, referring to it as "desert power." The meeting is interrupted by the arrival of Duncan Idaho, one of Leto's trusted officers,who introduces a Fremen leader named Stilgar. Leto offers respect to Fremen traditions and assigns Idaho
as an ambassador to the Fremen. Leto orders his men to search for abandoned botanical stations, and he plans to gather more information from Dr. Kynes, the planet's ecologist and the Judge of Change appointed by the Emperor.
Leto meets with Hawat to discuss the possibility of a traitor in House Atreides. Hawat presents evidence that implicates Lady Jessica but acknowledges that it might be an elaborate Harkonnen plot. Leto agrees to feign suspicion of Jessica, hoping to reveal the true traitor. Hawat also mentions the Fremen's increasing belief that Paul fits their prophecy of a chosen one. After Hawat leaves, Leto reflects on the beauty and challenges of Arrakis.
Leto shares his plan to feign suspicion of Jessica with Paul. He wants Paul to know the truth in case he needs to tell his mother later. Paul recognizes Leto's exhaustion and empathizes with his father's explanation for not marrying Jessica. Leto believes that their time on Arrakis will refine the family's morals and ethics but may cost them their self-respect.
Leto and Paul meet with Dr. Kynes. As someone with Fremen ancestry, Kynes notices how precisely Paul fits the Fremen's prophecy of a messiah, especially when Paul demonstrates skill in wearing a stillsuit. Leto, Paul, Kynes, and Gurney use an ornithopter, a flying machine, to visit a spice mining rig. During the flight, they discuss the ecology of Arrakis, the Harkonnens' maliciousness, and the threat of sandworms. They arrive at a mining rig just in time to witness it trying to evade a sandworm attack. However, the machines break, leaving the rig vulnerable. Leto decides to rescue the men on the rig rather than let them be killed by the sandworm. He lands the ornithopter, saves the
men, and narrowly escapes. Paul observes two Fremen fleeing the scene. Privately, Kynes acknowledges Leto's worthiness of respect.
Leto prepares for a banquet hosted by Lady Jessica. He contemplates the cruel Harkonnen tradition of selling wastewater to the people of Arrakis. He issues an order that water will be provided to anyone in need during the banquet. During the event, Leto observes Paul's diplomatic manner andbelieves that his son is destined to be a good Duke. He also notices Esmar Tuek, a spice smuggler, and recognizes that Tuek can be bribed to help them escape from Arrakis if necessary. Lady Jessica identifies a banker at the dinner as a Harkonnen agent. The banker mentions Leto's earlier emergency escapades, which angers Leto. Paul engages in a conversation with the banker, gently mocking him. Lady Jessica realizes that the banker is afraid of Dr. Kynes, while the smuggler seems to be an ally of Kynes.
Jessica is awakened by Duncan Idaho, who is heavily drunk. She tries to calm him down but fails, even with the help of Dr. Yueh. Idaho accuses Jessica of being a Harkonnen spy. After sending Idaho to his room, Jessica confronts Thufir Hawat. Instead of revealing her pregnancy and clearing her name, she considers other suspects. Idaho, Gurney, and Yueh are ruled out. Jessica and Hawat discuss their respective abilities as a Bene Gesserit and a Mentat. Hawat can't entirely dismiss the idea of Jessica being a spy but admires her.
Leto receives a cryptic message and decides to reveal to Jessica why he has been distant. However, he discovers the dead body of Esmar Tuek and the dying Shadout Mapes. Leto is attacked and paralyzed by a poisoned dart. Yueh reveals himself as the traitor and explains his plan to assassinate the Baron. Yueh promises to save Paul and Jessica by sending them to live with the Fremen. Leto loses consciousness.
Jessica wakes up tied up and pretends to be asleep. Baron Harkonnen enters and taunts her. She realizes that Yueh is the traitor. Piter De Vries arrives, and the Baron offers him control of Arrakis instead of Jessica. Jessica and Paul are placed in an ornithopter with two Harkonnen henchmen named Kinet and Czigo. While in flight, Paul uses the Voice to make one of the henchmen remove Jessica's gag. Jessica overpowers the henchmen, and they escape using stillsuits left for them by Yueh. They flee into the desert as another ornithopter pursues them.
Yueh is discovered with the unconscious Leto by an Emperor's Sardaukar guard. The guard wants Leto's signet ring, but Yueh claims he doesn't have it. Yueh hides the stillsuitsand Leto's ring on the ornithopter, relying on Duncan Idaho to play a crucial role. Yueh awaits the Baron's arrival.
Baron Harkonnen arrives on Arrakis and his soldiers overpower the Atreides men. Yueh demands that the Baron fulfill their deal and reveal the fate of his wife. Piter kills Yueh. A drugged Leto is brought before the Baron, who questions him about Paul and Jessica. Piter mentions the missing ornithopter and suspects an accident. Leto bites down on a fake tooth, releasing poison gas that kills everyone in the room except the Baron, who survives due to his shield.
Paul and Jessica hide in a stilltent under the sand. They listen to a radio and overhear that Sardaukar troops are disguising themselves as Atreides soldiers to attack other parts of Arrakis. Paul realizes that escape from Arrakis is impossible and begins making a list of items
needed for survival in the desert. He believes that the Fremen could be valuable allies. Jessica reads a manual about surviving on Arrakis and suggests that the Fremen may have been influenced by the Bene Gesserit. Paul shares with Jessica his prophetic visions and the truth about their Harkonnen ancestry. He plans to live with the Fremen and reveals that he will call himself Muad'Dib, "The One Who Points the Way." Paul finally has a moment to mourn his father's death.
Paul and Lady Jessica wait in their stilltent for Duncan Idaho's return. Paul drinks the recycled water from his stillsuit, but Jessica is reluctant to do the same, fearing it would indicate resignation to never escape Arrakis. Jessica dreams about Duke Leto and hears Paul's voice singing about the spice, the Fremen, and religious war. In the night, with the tent buried in a sandstorm, Paul uses a special tool to dig them out. They stand beneath the stars and witness the Harkonnens conducting a bombing raid, killing everything in their path to destroy House Atreides. Paul and Jessica head south, finding cover among rock formations as ornithopters fly overhead.
Thufir Hawat and his men manage to escape the Harkonnen massacre. Despite their defeat, Hawat swears revenge on the Harkonnens and the traitor. He still suspects Jessica of betraying House Atreides. Hawatencounters a group of Fremen who inform him that Gurney Halleck sought refuge with the smugglers. The Fremen suggest traveling across the desert at night without shields to avoid attracting sandworms. They also explain their death rituals, which involve extracting valuable water from the deceased. Hawat struggles to understand the Fremen's concept of "the water need." The Fremen inform Hawat that Leto is dead but are uncertain about Paul's fate. They discuss their victories against the Harkonnens and the Sardaukar, and Hawat becomes intrigued by mentions of a mysterious figure named Liet. Hawat witnesses the Fremen performing their death rituals and encourages his men to
respect their culture. The Fremen hide when an ornithopter passes overhead, then ambush and attack Sardaukar soldiers. However, the Sardaukar retaliate and kill the Fremen leader just as they are about to escape.
Duncan Idaho arrives in his ornithopter, accompanied by Dr. Kynes. They lead Paul and Jessica to a safe hiding place in an abandoned botanical research center. Idaho reveals a surprise he planted for the Harkonnens, causing a massive explosion with their laser guns. Inside the facility, a Fremen informs them that the proximity detectors are broken. The Fremen addresses Kynes as Liet, his Fremen alter ego. As the Duke and leader of House Atreides, Paul outlines his plan for revenge. He intends to gather proof of the Emperor's treachery, uniting the other great houses against him. Paul plans to offer a deal to the Emperor, proposing to marry his daughter and secure the Emperor's legacy while ensuring his own place in the line of succession. Kynes is an essential part of the plan as the Emperor's delegate. Paul initially offends Kynes by offering him funds to make Arrakis habitable, but Kynes insists that his loyalty is not for sale. Paul apologizes, surprising Kynes. He then offers unbreakable loyalty to Kynes in exchange for assistance. Just as Kynes is about to accept, they hear a commotion outside. Duncan Idaho is bravely fighting off a group of Sardaukar troops, giving them time to escape through a secret passageway. Kynes plans his own escape and directs Paul and Jessica to a landing pad. They take an ornithopter and fly straight into an approaching sandstorm. Paul relinquishes control of the aircraft and allows the storm to carry them to safety at a high altitude, fearlessly embracing theiruncertain fate.
Iakin Nefud, the head of the Harkonnen house guard, informs Baron Harkonnen that Paul and Jessica are presumed dead, although their bodies have not been confirmed. The Baron orders Nefud to make
Kynes's death look like an accident since Kynes works for the Emperor. Thufir Hawat has also been captured, and the Baron plans to manipulate him by administering both a poison and an antidote, making Hawat dependent on the antidote and continuing to believe Jessica is the traitor. The Baron envisions a future with a Harkonnen as Emperor, unaware that Paul is also a Harkonnen. He summons his nephew Glossu Rabban and places him in charge of Arrakis, instructing him to exploit the planet's inhabitants for profit. Rabban is to take hostages from influential families and silence anyone mentioning the Sardaukar's presence on Arrakis. The Baron plans to eventually replace Rabban with Feyd-Rautha, expecting the people to prefer him over the brutal Rabban.
Paul and Jessica land the damaged ornithopter and attract the attention of a sandworm. They run to nearby rocks as the sandworm destroys the aircraft, marveling at its enormous size. Paul remembers the location from a dream but realizes Duncan Idaho was with him in the dream. They traverse the difficult terrain, stopping to drink and eat whenever possible. Paul suggests finding a shadowy crevasse to rest during the day. While crossing a stretch of sand, Jessica slips beneath a sandslide, but Paul uses his increasing prophetic powers to locate her and rescue her. Unfortunately, they lose their supplies in the process, leaving them with only a knife, binoculars, and an electronic compass. Jessica encourages Paul not to despair and use his training to find a solution. He combines the compass's power pack with the alkaline spice to create a foam that prevents the sand from pouring back, allowing them to recover their supplies. They make camp and notice signs of previous campers, suggesting Fremen presence nearby. Jessica reminds Paul to continue his Bene Gesserit training and control his emotions, as they observe the majestic sandworms.
Gurney Halleck and his men escape the Harkonnen attack with the help of Staban Tuek, Esmar Tuek's son and a spice smuggler. Staban
brings updates about Arrakis but believes Paul and Jessica are dead. Gurneyseeks revenge against the Harkonnens and joins the smugglers, gathering allies for his cause. As one of Gurney's men lies dying, Gurney sings a comforting song to ease his pain.
Paul and Jessica survey the terrain at night and continue their journey, placing a "thumper" on the ground to attract sandworms and slip by unnoticed. Paul recalls a special walking technique used by the Fremen that does not attract sandworms due to its lack of rhythm. He teaches the technique to Jessica, and they begin crossing the desert. However, Paul steps on drum sand, causing a loud noise that alerts a sandworm. They run for cover, reaching the rocks as the sandworm approaches. They witness the creature's power and beauty. As they plan to make camp among the bushes and plant life, they are surprised to hear a voice in the darkness announcing that the Fremen have already found them.
The Harkonnens abandon Dr. Kynes in the desert without supplies or a stillsuit. Kynes crawls along the sand, acutely aware of the presence of spice, which puts him in a dangerous position. He tries to attract birds to signal the Fremen's potential water source, recalling his father's lectures on ecology. However, the birds fly away, and Kynes senses a rumbling in the sand. A pocket of gas explodes, sucking him beneath the sand forever.
Fremen Paul and Jessica find themselves surrounded by a group of Fremen, led by Stilgar, who was once Duncan Idaho's ally. Stilgar recognizes Paul and, despite objections from a Fremen named Jamis, accepts Paul into their tribe. Jessica, untrained in desert ways, is seen as a burden, and the Fremen plan to kill her for her body's water. However,
Jessica disarms Stilgar while Paul fights off the others, showcasing her own powers. Stilgar strikes a deal with Jessica: the Fremen will take care of Paul and Jessica, and Jessica will teach them Bene Gesserit fighting techniques. Stilgar orders a young Fremen woman named Chani to cease hunting Paul. Jessica plans to use the Fremen's prophecy to her advantage, and a young woman named Chani introduces herself to Paul as the daughter of Liet, whom he recognizes from his dreams. The group sets off toward the Fremen settlement, known as asietch.
Paul, Jessica, and the Fremen arrive at the Cave of Ridges, where Stilgar gives Jessica a tour while instructing Chani to take care of Paul. Jessica worries about damaging Stilgar's credibility by defeating him in combat, but he assures her that her Bene Gesserit tricks do not fully equip her for the ways of the Arrakis desert. Stilgar confirms the Fremen's secret relationship with the Spacing Guild, their efforts to make Arrakis more habitable, and offers Jessica the position of Sayyadina, equivalent to the Reverend Mother. Meanwhile, Paul eats food prepared by Chani, which contains a significant amount of spice, triggering a heightened state of awareness and providing new insight into his visions. His last vision is of his own dead body with a knife wound.
Jessica wakes up to the sound of Stilgar and Jamis arguing. Jamis wants to challenge Paul to single combat to test his adherence to the Fremen prophecy. Jessica and Stilgar fail to dissuade Jamis, but Jessica chooses not to use the Voice. Paul and Jamis engage in a knife fight, with Paul relying on advice from Chani and lessons from Duncan Idaho and Gurney Halleck. Paul also sees a vision of himself with a knife in his chest. Despite gaining the upper hand, Paul tries to make Jamis yield, but Jamis refuses, as yielding is forbidden among the Fremen. Eventually, Paul is forced to kill Jamis. The Fremen swiftly take away Jamis's body to extract its water, and Stilgar bestows upon Paul the Fremen name Usul. Paul adds Muad'Dib, after the desert mice, as his second name. He realizes that he has altered the future slightly by choosing this name.
The Fremen hold a funeral for Jamis, and Paul actively participates in the ceremony. Chani insists that Paul take some of Jamis's water to compensate for the water he spilled during the fight. Jessica and Paul speak at the funeral, and Paul sheds a tear, symbolizing respect in the Fremen culture. The Fremen use rings to represent the water owned by each member of the tribe, and Paul adds his own water to the communal collection. Unaware of the significance, Paul asks Chani to hold his rings, unknowingly symbolizing a proposal.
Count Fenring and Lady Fenring, associates of the Emperor, are summoned to the Harkonnen castle. They watch Feyd-Rautha, the Baron's nephew, engage in gladiatorial combat against a slave as part of his birthday celebration. Baron Harkonnen introduces the Fenrings to Feyd-Rautha, who offers to dedicate his victory to Lady Fenring, but she politely declines. The Count and the Baron have a private conversation using a cone of silence, discussing the Emperor's dissatisfaction with the absence of Sardaukar on Arrakis. The Baron hopes to prove his innocence if accused by the Count. The Baron shares the idea of turning Arrakis into a prison, and the Count questions the employment of Thufir Hawat. They watch Feyd-Rautha's manipulated victory with the help of Hawat, and the Fenrings devise a plan. Lady Fenring, a Bene Gesserit, will seduce Feyd-Rautha and bear his child, using mind control to influence him. The Count expresses uncertainty about Paul Atreides's death until he sees a body.
Stilgar and the Fremen welcome Paul into the sietch, which is now his home. Paul explains to Jessica that the Fremen have the ability to use spice for various purposes, such as creating plastics and explosives. He
overhears rumors and information being exchanged among the Fremen, including condolences for Chani, news of Dr. Kynes's death, and the revelation that Chani is Kynes's daughter.
Paul meets Harah, Jamis's wife, who is now his responsibility according to Fremen customs. He must care for her and Jamis's children for at least a year, deciding whether to make Harah his wife or servant. Paul chooses to make her a servant, which annoys her. Harah takes him to Jamis's old quarters where Paul will live. As they pass through the caves, Harah explains the intricate Fremen machines and techniques for water collection. The sietch is bustling with activity, and the Fremen will soon need to relocate their camp to avoid the Sardaukar guards. They also come across a school set up by Kynes, educating Fremen children about a future habitable Arrakis with trees and grass. As Paul rests in his quarters, he reflects on the shared loss of fathers with Chani. At that moment, Jamis's children enter, each wielding a traditional Fremen crysknife.
A large cavern houses over 20,000 Fremen who gather to witness Jessica's initiation. Paul arrives with Jamis'ssons, Orlop and Kaleff, who stand by his side like child bodyguards. Paul spots Chani, wearing a green cloth symbolizing mourning. On stage, Stilgar announces that the Fremen will soon need to relocate, and their current Reverend Mother is too weak to make the journey. Jessica will replace her, but if she fails the initiation, Chani will take her place.
Jessica participates in the initiation ceremony by drinking water infused with spice. The spice affects her thoughts and transports her to a mental realm called Other Memory, which only a Kwisatz Haderach is permitted to enter. She encounters the previous Reverend Mother, who reveals that Jessica is pregnant. The previous Reverend Mother passes on the collective memories of all her predecessors before passing away. Jessica becomes the new Reverend Mother, sensing that her unborn daughter has already gained awareness and worrying about the implications for the future. Jessica opens her eyes and continues the ceremony, sharing the spice water with the other Fremen, briefly
connecting them to her collective memories. Paul also drinks the water and experiences a vision where he sees himself balancing on a tightrope between his enemies and the Fremen's religious war. When Paul sheds tears, Chani wonders if it is a sacrifice for the dead, but Paul explains that he is crying for those who will die in the future. Finally, Paul and Chani declare their love for each other.
The Baron Harkonnen expresses his anger towards Iakin Nefud, who is under the influence of drugs. Two years have passed since Nefud arrived on Arrakis after Duke Leto's death. The Baron is furious about a sex slave hiding a poisoned needle beneath a skin mark. Feyd-Rautha enters, and the Baron takes his nephew into his chambers. Feyd-Rautha confesses to the assassination attempt and the incident in the gladiatorial arena. He accepts the Baron's punishment, which involves constant supervision by Thufir Hawat. The Baron believes he can control Hawat, who was the Atreides Mentat, but he must keep Feyd-Rautha alive as his only heir. As Feyd-Rautha envisions himself as Emperor, the Baron orders him to kill all the female sex slaves. Feyd-Rautha accepts the order, dreaming of a day when his uncle is no longer alive.
Hawat meets with the Baron, who asks about SalusaSecundus, a prison planet used for breeding the elite Sardaukar warriors. Despite his disdain for the Baron and his desire to kill him, Hawat maintains a businesslike attitude during their interactions. Hawat believes that the Emperor wanted to destroy House Atreides because their fighting forces, led by Gurney Halleck and Duncan Idaho, were becoming too powerful. While the Baron dismisses the Fremen as inconsequential, Hawat warns him that the Fremen are more numerous and dangerous than he realizes. The hostile environment of Arrakis has turned the Fremen into elite warriors, similar to the conditions on Salusa Secundus. Hawat cautions that leaving Glossu Rabban in control of Arrakis will only make
the planet more inhospitable, producing even stronger warriors. The Baron plans to cut off Rabban's resources, making him desperate and more brutal. Once Rabban's brutality reaches its peak, the Baron intends to replace him with Feyd-Rautha. As Hawat leaves, he reflects on secret messages he receives from Gurney Halleck, mentioning a mysterious Fremen figure named Muad'Dib. However, Hawat has given up hope that Paul may still be alive.
Paul is caught in a prophetic dream on Arrakis. He struggles to differentiate between real memories and visions of the future, recalling events from the past two years. Despite the dream suggesting that Chani has been killed by a rival, Paul assures himself that she has traveled south with their son, Leto II, to give him time for meditation. He believes that Jessica and her daughter, Alia, are with Chani. Alia possesses an unusual maturity, as her mind developed as an adult due to Jessica's Reverend Mother initiation. The spice affects Paul's mind, causing him to slip in and out of memories that may or may not come to pass. When he wakes up, he finds himself next to Chani, who has returned from the south to witness his participation in a Fremen test. Paul is about to ride a sandworm using traditional Fremen methods. Stilgar offers him advice for the upcoming test, and a Fremen named Shishakli hands Paul the hooks he will need. Paul plants a thumper in the desert and waits for the sandworm to arrive.
Jessica does not witness Paul's test. She reflects on the Harkonnen raids on the Fremen, the caves they inhabit, and a nearbywoman giving birth. Jessica blesses a newborn baby by drinking spice-infused coffee. Harah enters with Jessica's daughter, Alia, who is regarded with wariness by the Fremen due to her unusual wisdom beyond her years. Jessica explains that, through the spice-infused water, she passed her memories and Bene Gesserit knowledge to her unborn child, giving her an
adult-like mind. Technically, the Fremen tribe has two Reverend Mothers: Jessica and Alia. Tharthar, one of Stilgar's wives, discusses Paul's test with Jessica. If Paul passes, the Fremen will expect him to challenge Stilgar to a duel for leadership. Alia suggests finding an alternative solution, and Jessica and Harah agree that Stilgar's death would not benefit anyone, especially as Harah is meant to become one of Stilgar's wives. Jessica agrees, but she is concerned about Paul's future marriage to a woman of noble status for political reasons.
Paul successfully completes his test by riding a sandworm. He gathers the other Fremen, and together they ride with him. Stilgar, acting as a father figure to Paul, points out his mistakes during the test. He emphasizes the importance of Fremen working as a team, initially causing Paul some discontent. Although the Fremen desire to attack the Harkonnens, Paul directs the sandworm south towards his family. However, he agrees to stop at the Cave of Birds. When ornithopters fly overhead, the Fremen disappear into the sand from their hiding spots, recognizing that the ornithopters belong to the spice smugglers. Paul and Stilgar set a trap for the smugglers.
Gurney Halleck is among the smugglers in the ornithopters who have landed to gather spice. However, the Fremen spring a trap, resulting in a fight. Gurney finds himself facing a Fremen, but the fight comes to an end when Paul reveals himself. Despite half of the smugglers being dead, Paul introduces Gurney to Stilgar, shocking Gurney with Paul's integration into the Fremen tribe. They discuss the Harkonnens and the possibility of war, beginning to plan an attack against them. Gurney is also surprised to learn that Paul is the infamous Muad'Dib on Arrakis. Before Paul and Gurney can converse further, an alarm sounds, revealing that some of the smugglers were undercover Sardaukar. However, the Fremen quickly deal with them, killing or capturing the infiltrators. Paul speaks with the captured captain,revealing his true identity to the
Sardaukar warrior in the hope that the news will reach the Harkonnens.
Jessica is aware that the Fremen desire to see Paul defeat Stilgar and lead them to victory against the Harkonnens, but she knows this would be a mistake. Paul intercepts a message from the Harkonnens, indicating that they have withdrawn their resources from Glossu Rabban, making it an opportune time to attack. Paul declares that he will not kill Stilgar and instead dons his father's ring, proclaiming himself the Duke of Arrakis. He knights Stilgar with a crysknife, and the crowd reacts positively to the announcement. Paul meets with his mother in private and introduces her to Gurney, who attempts to kill Jessica. Paul intervenes, revealing that Yueh was the traitor, and forgives Gurney. Following their meeting, Paul decides to undertake the test of the Reverend Mothers to determine if he is the true Kwisatz Haderach.
Jessica urgently summons Chani to discuss an emergency: Paul has been poisoned and is in grave danger. Chani realizes that they can use the spice-infused water from the Reverend Mother ceremony to help him. The smell of the water revives Paul, who explains that his attempt to partake in the Reverend Mother ceremony led him into a visionary state. He touches his mother's arm, linking their minds and memories, allowing her to guide him through the test. Jessica realizes that Paul is indeed the true Kwisatz Haderach. Paul uses his powers to see the Space Guild spaceships surrounding Arrakis, where Baron Harkonnen and the Emperor are preparing to invade and take control of the planet. Paul devises a plan: they can use the spice-infused water to halt spice production on Arrakis. With the threat of losing spice, the Spacing Guild would not dare attack Arrakis or the Fremen. However, Paul foresees that all the paths ahead lead to darkness.
Paul, Gurney, and Stilgar observe the Emperor's camp from a distance. Paul is amused by the shield walls protecting the Emperor and his court. As a sandstorm approaches, Gurney warns about their plan to use atomic weapons, which are illegal against humans. Paul reassures Gurney that they will only be targeting the shields.He instructs his men to aim their weapons at the shields and wait for the storm to arrive. When the storm hits, Paul's men fire the atomic weapons at the shields, commencing the battle. As Paul prepares to join the attack, he receives a scrambled message about an attack on the sietch. Leto II has been killed, and Alia has been taken hostage.
Baron Harkonnen is summoned to an audience with the Emperor. Reverend Mother Mohiam is present, capable of discerning the truth. The Emperor questions the Baron about Thufir Hawat, Feyd-Rautha, Glossu Rabban, and the mysterious Muad'Dib. After dismissing Muad'Dib as insignificant, the Emperor summons Alia into the room. Alia is one of only three captives from the Emperor's raids, but she suggests that she allowed herself to be captured. The Emperor accuses the Baron of betraying him, as he believes it is the only explanation for the Baron's failure to comprehend the Fremen's potential. The Baron claims his innocence, and the Reverend Mother confirms that he is telling the truth. Realizing that the Baron is a fool, the Emperor orders his camp to return to the ships in orbit around Arrakis and instructs for Alia to be thrown into the sandstorm. Alia approaches the Baron, seemingly captured, but she stabs him with a gom jabbar, killing him. As the Baron dies, Paul's attack begins. The shield surrounding the Emperor's camp falls, and the Sardaukar try to protect the Emperor as he flees. The Emperor witnesses Paul and the Fremen riding the sandworms through the storm. The Emperor tells the Reverend Mother to summon Count Fenring to devise a new plan.
Paul and the Fremen successfully retake the city of Arrakeen. Paul declares it the capital of his rule over Arrakis as a tribute to his father. As the battle concludes, Paul instructs Gurney to bring Jessica and Chani to him. A Sardaukar officer approaches Paul, proposing a meeting with the Emperor, and Paul agrees. When Jessica arrives, Paul assures her that Alia is safe and with the other Fremen children, who are killing the wounded Harkonnens and Sardaukar. Jessica is surprised by the newfound hardness in her son. While Paul asks her to stand beside him, she advises against his marriage to a member of the Emperor's family and suggestshe marry Chani instead to avoid repeating his father's mistakes. However, Paul believes that marrying Princess Irulan will help him end the war. Chani arrives and informs Paul that their son, Leto II, is dead. Paul mourns but assures Chani that they will have other children. The Emperor, accompanied by Feyd-Rautha, Count Fenring, and Thufir Hawat, is led into the room by Gurney. Hawat is near death due to the Harkonnens' poison, for which he lacks the antidote. The Emperor gives Hawat a poisoned needle and orders him to kill Paul, but Hawat refuses and begs for forgiveness. Paul and Jessica forgive him. In the negotiations that follow, Paul and the Emperor discuss their options. Paul informs the representatives of the Spacing Guild that he can halt spice production forever, forcing them to leave Arrakis to maintain their ability to navigate space. The Reverend Mother confirms that Paul is the true Kwisatz Haderach and agrees to spare Alia's life, despite her being considered an abomination by the Bene Gesserit. Paul asserts his independence from the Bene Gesserit, surprising the Reverend Mother and gaining Jessica's agreement. Feyd-Rautha challenges Paul to a duel, but Paul emerges victorious despite Feyd-Rautha's tricks. After killing Feyd-Rautha, Paul aims to resolve the issue and marry Princess Irulan. Count Fenring refuses to attempt to kill Paul, leaving the Emperor with no options. Paul announces his terms: he will take the Imperial throne and become Emperor, while the current Emperor will rule over Salusa Secundus. Paul promises to transform Salusa Secundus into a paradise and end the production of the Sardaukar troops. He also pledges to make Arrakis a green and pleasant planet, but without transforming the entire desert, allowing the continuation of spice production. The
Reverend Mother glimpses a brutal religious war in the future and pleads with Paul not to unleash the Fremen on the rest of the universe. However, it is too late. Paul then turns to Chani, stating that although Princess Irulan will be his wife, Chani will be his true love, similar to Jessica's position as Duke Leto's concubine. Jessica assures Chani that history will remember them as influential figures in their own right, seen as wives rather than mere concubines.