Anya Taylor-Joy appears in Dune: Part Two for less than a minute. The film is 167 minutes long, but this sequel limits her role to one scene and keeps her hidden from fans. Taylor-Joy’s role is integral despite its brevity. She may not dominate the latest entry, but those who read the book will recognize her. Anya Taylor-Joy portrays Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two, and she could play her again in Dune Messiah.
Anya Taylor-Joy Plays Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two
Alia Atreides is Paul’s younger sister. I won’t spoil all of Dune: Part Two here, but the key note here is that it changes some elements from the books. Alia is not born as the story ends. The film substantially downplayed her role from its place in the novel. Alia Atreides exists as a fetus in Lady Jessica Atreides. When Jessica takes the Water of Life, an awareness spectrum narcotic that awakens heightened psychic powers, Alia enjoys the same effects. Alia becomes pre-born, a sapient personality in the womb. She communicates telepathically with her mother, influencing Jessica’s decisions. Paul experiences prescient visions of the future, gradually encouraging him to take the Water of Life. He briefly meets Alia on a beach in his mind. In Dune: Part Two, Anya Taylor-Joy provides Alia’s voice in utero and appears in Paul’s vision.
In Frank Herbert’s 1965 novel, Alia Atreides enjoys a greater role. She becomes a mighty warrior, most notably slaying Baron Vladimir Harkonnen during the assault on the Emperor. She is, however, even more critical in Dune Messiah. Denis Villeneuve publically announced his desire to conclude his trilogy with an adaptation of that 1969 sequel. If the director earns the chance to tell the end of this story, Anya Taylor-Joy could return in a much more compelling role. Previous adaptations depicted Alia closer to the source material. She appears in the 1984 David Lynch film, portrayed by then-9-year-old Alicia Witt. Alia is integral to the Sci Fi Channel’s 2003 Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune miniseries. St. Alia of the Knife doesn’t get her usual regalia, but she’s still key to Dune: Part Two.
Anya Taylor-Joy has a small but crucial role in Dune: Part Two. The changes from the books hurt Alia more than they did any other character, but she remains fascinating. Alia Atreides is a complex figure in the Dune universe, but she hasn’t reached her apex yet. If Villeneuve gets to make Dune Messiah, we’ll see Taylor-Joy live up to the legends in the books. Alia Atreides has a long way to go, but we may never see her get there.
