’ Is Paul Atreides A Hero?

Dune: Part Two is a rare gem, a blockbuster crafted with great skill and care, bolstered by the strong directorial vision of Denis Villeneuve.

The film has received rave reviews, but also seems to be confusing some viewers, due to the unusual character of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet).

Frank Herbert’s Dune was written as a cautionary tale against charismatic leaders; Paul’s story is a subversive take on the “Chosen One” trope, but many readers misunderstood the point.

Villeneuve describes Herbert as “disappointed how people perceived the story. He felt that people misconceived Paul Atreides; that people were seeing him as a hero, where he wanted to do the opposite. So in reaction to that he wrote Dune Messiah in order to insist on the idea that Paul was a dangerous figure.”

Some viewers of Dune: Part Two also felt that Paul was the hero of the story, despite the end of the film framing his victory as a terrifying escalation into violence.

Is Paul Atreides A Hero?

Paul Atreides is an interesting subversion because his intentions appear to be good, many of his actions are heroic, and he faces off against such clear villains.

In Dune: Part One, Paul Atreides is very sympathetic, losing most of his family to the machinations of the conniving House Hannorkenn.

Part Two sees Paul lead the oppressed, indigenous Fremen, and encourages them to lead themselves to victory in the event of his death. He defeats the depraved members of House Harkonnen, who are depicted as pure evil, practically inhuman — no moral ambiguity there.

As Paul ascends to victory, however, he finds himself being pulled into the role of messiah that, according to his visions, will grow beyond his control, and lead to a terrible holy war across the galaxy that will kill billions of innocents.

After Paul fully develops precognitive powers, he chooses to usurp the Emperor, despite knowing that his actions will lead to war.

While the Fremen wanted their savior to ecologically restore their barren planet, Paul leads them away from home, having completely hijacked their belief system; the loyal warriors have shifted from freedom fighters to religious fanatics, willing to lead non-believers “to Paradise” via the edge of a blade.

Chani (Zendaya) provides the voice of reason in the film, one of the few Fremen who understands that Paul is becoming consumed by his role as false prophet.

While the film doesn’t depict the consequences of Paul’s war, the planned sequel to the film, Dune: Messiah, will make it explicitly clear that Paul is no hero, like Herbert’s novel.

‘Dune’ Subverts And Plays Into The ‘Chosen One’ Trope

Douglas Adams once wrote: “It’s one thing to think that you’re the center of the universe — it’s another thing entirely to have this confirmed by an ancient prophecy.”

Audiences are very familiar with the “Chosen One” trope — Harry Potter, Avatar, Star Wars and The Matrix are all popular stories of heroes chosen by fate.

Audiences are also familiar with the inverse; The Matrix Reloaded subverts the narrative of the first film, with Neo’s prophecy revealed to be something of a psyop. Villeneuve has also subverted the “Chosen One” trope before, in Blade Runner 2049.

The Star Wars prequel trilogy take a great deal of inspiration from Dune, showing how Anakin’s prophesied role as the Chosen One leads the galaxy to disaster.

Paul Is A False Prophet With Good Intentions

Unlike a traditional Chosen One, Paul’s prophecy is shown to be false from the beginning, fabricated by the witch-like order of the Bene Gesserit, who planted the myth within Fremen society as a tool for colonial control.

In Dune: Part Two, Paul feels guilty for using this prophecy to his advantage, but he also proves himself to be genuinely special; he’s a brilliant fighter and tactician, a leader who can ride a gargantuan sandworm on his first try.

He even survives a dose of concentrated spice known as the Waters of Life, seemingly a miracle that gives him precognitive powers, which gains him the full support of the Fremen.

While the movie doesn’t elaborate on why Paul survives, the books explain that the Bene Gesserit were trying to genetically engineer a man who could use spice to see the future, and Paul was part of that breeding experiment.

Paul’s ascension was no accident, or twist of fate, but the result of plans put in motion by the Bene Gesserit.

Hence, Paul’s story both subverts and plays into the Chosen One trope; it’s not a typical blockbuster theme, and far removed from the simplistic, black and white morality of superhero films.

Paul’s story is closer to a Greek tragedy, a hero whose good intentions result in great suffering; he’s not as transparently villainous as the Harkonnens, and that makes him all the more dangerous.