After the commercial success and critical acclaim 2021's Dune received, fans and critics alike have patiently awaited the next chapter. Dune: Part Two has received glowing reviews and enjoyed fans packing into movie theaters just to see the spectacle. Many factors make the newest installment in the Dune franchise a success. Great actors, a solid script that adapts the original work, and incredible set pieces, just to name a few. In addition, Dune: Part Two is full of iconic, memorable, and meaningful quotes.

Dune: Part Two is a story about hardship, classism, colonization, and prophecy. Although the franchise is set in a science fiction reality separate from the real world, it reflects many conflicts seen in real life. Some quotes from the film stick with the audience long after the credits roll because words hold tremendous power on and off the big screen.

10 “It’s not a prophecy, it’s a story.”

- Paul

• Timothée Chalamet plays Paul
• Chalamet enjoyed commercial success just a few months ago with his portrayal of young Willy Wonka in the 2023 film, Wonka

One of the most important parts of Dune is the prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib. The Lisan al Gaib is said to be a messiah from a foreign land who will lead the Fremen against their oppressors. This prophecy causes a large divide between the Fremen. Some religious fanatics believe in the prophecy wholeheartedly, and they convince themselves that Paul is the Lisan al Gaib. Others, like Chani, believe the prophecy is another form of oppression designed to keep the Fremen docile and waiting for help that may never come.

Early in the film, Paul seems to be on Chani's side. Many people insist that the prophecy is real and that Paul is the messiah they've been waiting for. Paul shoots this down multiple times. He even tells his mother that the prophecy isn't real. Paul says, "It’s not a prophecy, it’s a story." This puts the idea of prophecy into perspective. Prophecy is only as powerful as the belief in it. Otherwise, it crumbles into fantasy.

9 “As long as I breathe.”

- Paul

• Zendaya plays Chani
• Zendaya stars in another upcoming movie, Challengers, which releases on April 26, 2024

Throughout Dune and Dune: Part Two, audiences witness a growing relationship between Paul and Chani. It's clear that even though these two individuals are from different worlds, they love one another deeply. Paul puts his trust in Chani to help him navigate the ways of the desert and Chani stands up for him when the other Fremen mock or doubt him. Chani promises Paul that as long as he never loses who he is, he'll never lose her.

Paul confesses his love to Chani several times in Dune: Part Two. He always ends his confession with, "As long as I breathe." On its own, this is a powerful declaration of love, the type of declaration that people only dream of hearing. By the end of the film, however, it takes a dark turn. Paul still tells her that he will love her for as long as he breathes, but he puts his position of power above his love for Chani. Loving Chani isn't enough for him. In one breath, he says he loves her, and in the next, he's asking for Princess Irulan's hand in marriage. This quote proves that love is a double-edged blade because it can be something to cherish, or it can be used as a weapon.

8 “Never give your water away, not even for the dead.”

- Stilgar

• Javier Bardem plays Stilgar
• Bardem recently portrayed King Triton in Disney's live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid (2023)

At the beginning of Dune: Part Two, Stilgar shows Lady Jessica the sacred water of his people. He tells her that the water is so important to them that even a person dying of dehydration wouldn't dare drink from the pool. The water is more than just symbolic, though. It possesses great power, and it's also where their dead come to reside. Jessica sheds a tear for all the lost souls swirling around in those waters. When Stilgar sees this, he gives Jessica a warning.

Stilgar says, "Never give your water away, not even for the dead." This quote helps bring the world state into perspective for the audience. Water is such a precious resource to the Fremen that even shedding tears is frowned upon. For them, water is more important than money, food, or even shelter. It is something to be guarded, protected, and rationed carefully. Due to this, even the simple act of crying holds more weight than just expressing emotion.

7 “You underestimate the power of faith.”

- Princess Irulan

• Florence Pugh plays Princess Irulan
• Pugh recently starred in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023)

Princess Irulan is the daughter of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV. During a scene where she discusses what's happening in Arrakis with her father, the Emperor foolishly disregards Irulan's warning. Shaddam IV doesn't seem to think the prophecy or the potential of the Lisan al Gaib are things that they should be worried about. As far as he's concerned, it's simple fiction, something for religious fanatics to obsess over and nothing more.

During this conversation, Irulan says, "You underestimate the power of faith." This is a warning to her father. Just because they don't believe in something doesn't mean that it won't cause trouble for them down the line. Faith is a powerful motivator. As long as people have something to believe in, they will keep going, keep fighting, and keep getting back up. To some, faith is everything. Princess Irulan turns out to be correct because the people's faith in Paul ultimately becomes the Emperor's downfall.

6 “Our resources are limited, fear is all we have.”

- Paul

• Paul is the son of Leto I Atreides (father) and Lady Jessica (mother)
• In Dune: Part Two, Paul gets a Fremen name (a sietch name), Usul
• Usul means "The strength at the base of the pillar."

It's hard to say that the Fremen have ever had an easy life in the deserts of Arrakis. Due to the harsh climate and the giant Sandworms that hide in the sands, the Fremen have learned to survive in some of the harshest conditions. That doesn't even begin to touch on the fact that the Fremen live under constant oppression. Some Fremen, like Stilgar, believe in the prophecy that a messiah will come to liberate them. Others, like Chani, believe that if they want their freedom, they need to take it for themselves.

Paul falls into the role of the messiah. At first, he rejects this position, but throughout the film, he begins embracing the responsibility and the power that comes with it. He goes from outsider to leader and many Fremen turn to him for advice, orders, or words of encouragement. At one point, Paul mutters, "Our resources are limited, fear is all we have." This seems like a grim thing to say, but in actuality, he's right. Sometimes, fear is the only motivation that can push people to success. Fear of loss, fear of death, and fear of harm are powerful reminders that sometimes, there is no other choice but to confront the problem.

5 "It’s a figure of speech..."

- Gurney

• Josh Brolin plays Gurney
• Brolin made superhero history for his portrayal of the MCU's Thanos

Gurney has a close relationship with House Atreides. He was loyal to the family before Paul was born, but after his birth, Gurney became one of Paul's teachers. Gurney was instrumental in teaching Paul how to handle himself in a fight. He taught Paul war tactics and hand-to-hand combat. Without him, Paul wouldn't be half the capable warrior that he is in Dune and Dune: Part Two. He also plays an instrumental role in Part Two. When Paul runs into him during a Fremen raid on a Spice Smugglers vessel, Gurney and Paul instantly reconnect. Paul vouches for him by calling him family.

Gurney's importance runs much deeper than that, though. He tells Paul of something that can give him and the Fremen the upper hand in the war. He tells Paul that his family's artillery is still intact. Paul believed these resources were lost, but with the hidden weapons and firepower, it could change the tides of the war. When describing the power, Chani and Stilgar cast suspicious sideways glances at him when he says the weapons can blow up the planet. Gurney says, "Enough to blow up the whole planet… It’s a figure of speech, you know what I mean." Not only does this help put into perspective what these weapons can do for the Fremen, but it's also funny. Dune: Part Two is overall a serious film, so having a few moments of comedic relief like this is extremely important.

4 “I don’t care what you believe, I believe!”

- Stilgar

• Stilgar is the Naib of Sietch Tabr
• At one point, Stilgar tries to convince Paul to kill him, so Paul can take his leadership role

Stilgar is the biggest believer in the prophecy and throughout the entire movie, he's trying to prove that Paul is the Lisan al Gaib. Many Fremen, like Chani, are resistant to the belief of a messiah from another world that will come down and liberate them. Others, like Stilgar, need to believe in something to keep going.

The power of this quote piggybacks off the power of Princess Irulan's "You underestimate the power of faith" quote. During a heated debate about the prophecy, Stilgar shouts, "I don't care what you believe, I believe!" Stilgar's faith is unshakable. He is living proof of how much power faith can give someone. He believes so wholeheartedly in Paul that he's willing to sacrifice his own life, so Paul can take his leadership position. Without faith, people like Stilgar wouldn't exist. Without people like Stilgar fighting in hopeless battles, the war is already lost.

3 “You cannot see the future without seeing the past.”

- Lady Jessica, Reverend Mother

• Rebecca Ferguson plays Lady Jessica
• Ferguson also stars as Juliette Nichols in the 2023 series Silo

Paul hears his mother, Lady Jessica, whisper, "You cannot see the future without seeing the past." This is an interesting quote because it's not something Jessica says directly to him. Instead, he hears it from his developing abilities in his mother's voice. It could be something Lady Jessica does say, or it could be more than that, but either way, the quote holds a lot of power. In relationship to Dune, it's a bit more literal. To see into the future, Paul needs to be able to see the past too.

Beyond the literal interpretation, though, this quote reflects a common theme that appears in storytelling and real life. Ignoring the past or turning a blind eye to the lessons the past teaches us is a surefire way to make sure people repeat the same mistakes. Without seeing history for the truth it conveys, people can never improve.

2 "We’re Harkonnens. This is how we will survive. By being Harkonnens."

- Paul

• After drinking the Water of Life, Paul learns that Vladimir Harkonnen is his grandfather
• Lady Jessica claims she also didn't know until she consumed the Water of Life

One of the biggest plot twists in Dune: Part Two is the discovery of Paul and Lady Jessica's blood relation to Vladimir Harkonnen. This comes as a horrific shock to both Paul and Lady Jessica because House Harkonnen and House Atreides have been enemies for as long as either of them can remember. House Harkonnen is also the oppressive force colonizing Arrakis for the valuable Spice fields on the planet. To be blunt, the entire Harkonnen family are some of the biggest antagonists of the story.

When Paul realizes that he's related to one of the biggest villains in his life, he has to accept it quickly. He says, "We’re Harkonnens. This is how we will survive. By being Harkonnens." This is a powerful transition statement where Paul doesn't just accept his heritage, he embraces it. If stooping as low as the Harkonnens will win the war, then he's prepared to go as low as he needs to.

1 “I won’t be fighting for him. I’ll be fighting for my people.”

- Chani

• Chani is the daughter of Liet-Kynes
• Chani is put in charge of Paul's protection, but after spending some time together, they fall in love

Throughout Dune: Part Two, Chani has to watch Paul go from a good man who promised he didn't care about power to a prophecy-fulfilling messiah. In many ways, Paul betrays Chani's trust because he becomes everything he swore he wouldn't. He also asks to marry another woman right in front of Chani despite claiming he loves her more than anything else in the world. When it comes down to the final battle, Chani agrees to Paul's plan, but she doesn't do it for him.

Chani says, "I won’t be fighting for him. I’ll be fighting for my people." She loves Paul, but she knows she's losing Paul to the power of corruption. Agreeing to his plans and fighting alongside him has nothing to do with him anymore. She's fighting for the same reason she's always fought: the safety of her people. This is an important distinction for Chani. She never believed in prophecy or the messiah. Seeing Paul ascend to that position doesn't change anything for her.