Who is Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two? Anya Taylor-Joy character explained
Taylor-Joy plays one of the film's most intriguing characters.
*Warning: Spoilers for Dune: Part Two ahead.*
For many fans of Dune, it'll be difficult to imagine how some elements of the rich Frank Herbert novel will be adapted on-screen for Dune: Part Two – but the character of Alia is perhaps the most abstract part.
Denis Villeneuve hasn't backed down from adapting some of the weirder parts of the novel for his epic second instalment, with the portrayal of Alia being particularly intriguing.
Anya Taylor-Joy's casting in the movie was kept under wraps until the world premiere, which she rocked up to in a gloriously apt ensemble.
Now, as fans get to enjoy the beautiful spectacle that is Dune: Part Two, with stars like Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Austin Butler joining the fray, here's everything you need to know about Anya Taylor-Joy's Alia.
Who is Alia Atreides in Dune: Part Two?
Alia is the unborn daughter of Lady Jessica Atreides (Rebecca Ferguson), making her the sister of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet).
Lady Jessica's pregnancy is referenced multiple points during Dune: Part Two, but most prominently when she drinks the Water of Life to become a Reverend Mother. The former Reverend Mother realises in shock that she's pregnant but it's too late to stop Lady Jessica.
By going through the ritual, Lady Jessica causes a psychic awakening for Alia who, from this point onwards, is able to talk to her mother verbally. Due to the ritual, she possesses the full powers of a Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother.
Through Lady Jessica at first, Alia is also able to talk to Paul and makes it clear that she believes and supports the prophecy that he is the Messiah. Later, when Paul himself drinks the Water of Life, he's able to communicate with his sister directly.
We don't see Alia's birth in Dune: Part Two – she's represented by an image of a foetus before we see an adult version of her played by Taylor-Joy.
While her role is relatively brief in Dune: Part Two, she'll have a bigger role to play if Villeneuve can adapt more of Herbert's Dune series for the big screen.
Who is Alia Atreides actress Anya-Taylor Joy?
Anya Taylor-Joy has had various roles across film and TV but first received global acclaim for her role as Beth Harmon in Netflix's The Queen's Gambit.
She's also starred in The VVitch, Thoroughbreds, Split, Glass, Emma, The New Mutants, Last Night in Soho, The Northman, Peaky Blinders, The Menu and Amsterdam.
Coming up, she's also set to star in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.
Read more:
- Dune: Part Two review – A spectacular return to Arrakis
- Dune: Part Two ending explained – What happened to Paul and Chani?
- Stellan Skarsgård says reading Dune was “useless” for his Baron Harkonnen portrayal
- Dune director on casting Austin Butler: ‘I needed a playboy – a rockstar’
- Dune: Part Two cast – Full list of actors and characters in sequel
- What is the age rating for Dune: Part Two? Age suitability explained
- How to watch Dune: Part One on DVD, Blu-ray and streaming
- How to read all the Dune books in order
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Authors
Louise Griffin is the Sci-Fi & Fantasy Editor for Radio Times, covering everything from Doctor Who, Star Wars and Marvel to House of the Dragon and Good Omens. She previously worked at Metro as a Senior Entertainment Reporter and has a degree in English Literature.
