Dune 2: Who is Alia Atreides? Anya Taylor-Joy role explained

When Anya Taylor-Joy was confirmed to play a secret role in Dune: Part Two, fans were quick to theorize who – now, we know she plays a pivotal character: Alia Atreides.

Dune 2 fleshes out major events and character storylines from the first book installment – including Paul’s unborn sister. Many may remember that Paul knew, without being told, that his mother Lady Jessica was pregnant with a girl. They kept it a secret as they ventured into the desert to meet the Fremen.

Going into the sequel, Paul’s journey as the Lisan Al’Gaib unfolds and sets the footwork for Alia Atreides’s grander story. Anya-Taylor Joy turned heads while walking the carpet alongside the Dune 2 cast.

Speculations soon arose about her role in the movie. She makes a brief appearance as Alia Atreides. Here’s everything to know about her character. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Alia Atreides appears in Paul’s visions

Throughout Dune: Part Two, Alia Atreides communicates with Lady Jessica after she drinks Water of Life. In one of Paul’s later visions after he drinks the same liquid, she appears as her grown-up self.

Warner Bros.

The sequel gives a major Easter egg to the future storyline between Paul and his sister. Going into the movie, Lady Jessica and Paul haven’t told anyone she’s pregnant. Things take a drastic turn when the Fremen don’t give Lady Jessica a choice but to become their Reverend Mother. Having been trained, she’s more likely to survive the Water of Life.

But the dying Reverend Mother soon realizes the atrocity they have committed not knowing Lady Jessica is pregnant. The Water of Life is sacred and allows the Bene Gesserit to access generations of past memories dating back centuries.

With Lady Jessica pregnant, the Water of Life causes the fetus to be pre-born, conscious, and able to think autonomously. As Dune 2 continues Paul’s story of becoming a Fremen and the Lisan Al’Gaib, his mother has changed. The pre-born fetus talks to her mother and sways her decision to use fear as a way to get the Fremen on Paul’s side as their Lisan Al’Gaib and “mahdi.”

Dune 2 takes a turn when Paul has no choice but to give into the supposed prophecy of him being the Lisan Al’Gaib. He realizes he must see clearly but can only do so by drinking the Water of Life. After surviving, he sees his sister Alia for the first time in his visions. Instead of a child, she’s grown and promises to be by his side through everything.

Anya Taylor-Joy appears as the grown-up Alia in Paul’s vision after drinking the Water of Life. He’s now connected to her and can likely hear her as well.

Who is Alia Atreides in the books?

Per the books, Alia is described as an abomination having been pre-born through the Water of Life. She later becomes a regent of the Atreides Empire and has a following based on her personality.

Dune 2 had a small teaser of how the Bene Gesserit sees Alia in the books. When Paul uses the voice on Reverend Mother she looks at him and says “Abomination” while the camera cuts to a pregnant Lady Jessica.

In the books, Alia is a prime example of an abomination by the Bene Gesserit. It’s primarily due to her being pre-born and harvesting vast knowledge and centuries of memories. With no prior training, she’s seen as unstable and powerful. The Bene Gesserit often kill abominations.

As her story progresses in the books, she’s the one who kills Baron Harkonnen and takes over the Empire as regent after Paul died in the desert. Her mindset and emotions led to a cult-like following based on her persona. At some point, she succumbs to the abomination. This means she’s no longer able to control her ego-memories.

Her biggest shift in the storyline is when the memories of Baron Harkonnen take over trying to reign control from beyond the grave. As a result, Alia falls to her death to stop him. With the possibility of a Dune 3, Taylor-Joy may make her return in Paul’s visions.