Dune 2’s Zendaya & Florence Pugh Share Their Thoughts on Part Two’s Ending

WARNING! This article contains mild spoilers for the Dune: Part Two ending.

Dune: Part Two has officially hit the screens today, bringing the stars Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Florence Pugh back to delve deeper into the emotional and complex narrative of Frank Herbert’s legendary tale. The actors have shared that the film’s conclusion is not a typical triumphant victory, but rather a tapestry of heartbreak, betrayal, and loss.

Zendaya described the final scenes as “painful” and “heartbreaking,” highlighting the complexity of emotions her character Chani faces, from love to confusion to the harsh realities of their circumstances. She said to ComicBook:

“I feel like it’s heartbreak. There’s heartbreak, there’s betrayal, there’s loss and confusion. I feel like it’s quite a painful ending. It doesn’t end like, ‘Oh, someone won!’ It’s not that. [It’s] a lot of broken dreams and hearts.”

Florence Pugh shed light on Princess Irulan’s journey of self-realization and power, admiring her evolution from a passive observer to an active participant in the unfolding drama. Pugh said:

“I think, for me, when I read those final few pages, it made me suddenly go, ‘Ah, she’s far more knowledgable than I thought she was,’ from Princess Irulan’s perspective,” Pugh pointed out. “I think it’s truly a moment where she realizes her power and her position going forward and keeping her namesake and also realizing this is purely transactional and it’s a business decision. And I love that for her. After watching, for an entire movie, of her just listening and watching and taking things in, she’s as much a part of this decision as he is.”

“And then there’s that moment between [Paul and Chani] at the end, which is just so heartbreaking, and I truly believe [Irulan] clocks that. I think she understands what this means. Through [Chani’s] very beautiful, sad face, does she understand that this was not part of the plan, which means that, realistically, she’s needed in this deal as much as she needs them. So there’s a lot that’s going on underneath everything. It doesn’t feel good. It purely makes you ready for what’s going to happen next, which is very, very exciting.”

Under the direction of Denis Villeneuve, the sequel not only presents thrilling action and sci-fi spectacle but also explores the intricate relationships at the core of the story. Timothée Chalamet returns as Paul Atreides, whose journey takes a darker turn as he seeks revenge and leadership. Zendaya’s Chani and Florence Pugh’s Princess Irulan become central figures, adding layers of intrigue and emotion to the plot.

Dune: Part Two: Honoring Frank Herbert’s Legacy with a Tale of Revenge, Choice, and Fate

The narrative of the film explores Paul Atreides’ mythic quest as he allies with Chani and the Fremen in a vengeful campaign against those who devastated his family. The stakes are high as Paul grapples with a choice between his personal desires and the broader fate of the universe.

Dune: Part Two boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård, Charlotte Rampling, and Javier Bardem. The film, a collaborative effort between Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, strives to respect Herbert’s novel’s rich heritage while delivering a cinematic experience that resonates with today’s viewers.

Now that the film is available, Dune saga enthusiasts can anticipate an ending that is both grand in scale and deeply personal in its depiction of character dynamics. The actors’ insights hint at a finale that is as emotionally impactful as it is visually stunning. While the end of Dune: Part Two may be painful, it sets the stage for an even more thrilling chapter in this interstellar odyssey.