Is he or is he not Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), the Kwisatz Haderach expected by the Fremen? Dune: part 2 poses the mystery in the same way that the writer Frank Herbert did. Namely: how much could a leader of superior genetics created by the Bene Gesserit, as the result of a biological accident. And even that everything related to its mere existence is a self-fulfilling prophecy, thanks to the efforts of Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson in the film adaptation).
Part of the success of Dune As a saga, it lies in its ability to subvert the so-called 'path of the hero'. The literary figure imagined by Joseph Campbell, points out a journey in which the character destined to become a hero tests his abilities. That, as he grows stronger, wiser, and in the end, reaches the fullness of all the promise—both physical and intellectual—that encompasses his heroism. But Herbert decided that his protagonist would not reach the highest point of his abilities to achieve a goal.which would take him back to his home.
Instead, he imagined a man, that according to the writer's own words, 'played god'. Which ended up taking him to the darkest points of greed and turning him into a tyrant. Everything, wrapped in the middle of the doubt, whether the genetic manipulations of the Bene Gesserit achieved their objective. Or, on the contrary, Lady Jessica's love and disobedience had caused a fearful fate that condemnedl Known Universe to an endless, violent and relentless holy war.
A unique story for a chosen one
In both books and movies, Paul is the result of extensive genetic experimentation carried out by the Bene Gesserit.. The Brotherhood, which has its origin 10,000 years before what is narrated in Dune He actively participated in The Butlerian Jihad. In fact, thanks to them, humanity was able to confront Thinking Machines, a type of aggressive artificial intelligence. The initial members of the Order developed psychic abilities that gave victory to the human race. But it also allowed them to access completely new dimensions of their mind.
One of those was to explore the Other Memories. That is, the collective memories contained in your brain. But for some reason, they could only see what happened to their ancestors. Even though the Melange spice allowed them to unlock cellular memory—and she continued to do so in the future—memories from the male side were inaccessible. So the Brotherhood decided to use their precognitive ability and the prophetic gift of the Reverend Mothers to mend the information gap. Specifically, seizing the capabilities and wisdom of men throughout their genetic line.
The solution was the possibility of starting a genetic reproduction program, which would eventually create a man capable of manifesting the gifts of the Bene Gesserit. Which would allow him to build bridges between space and time. Furthermore, that he would be under control and answerable only to the Order. The intention is that this creature would have access to the Other Memories from the masculine side and would integrate them into the feminine. So it would be both a member of the Order, a Reverend Mother, a Mentat — capable of summarizing records in his mind — and a Guild Navigator. In other words, he is a high-ranking member of the space guild, who could navigate the Known Universe thanks to the species. All previous, synthesized into a single being.
Paul, a decision of Lady Jessica and not of destiny
In the book — and also in Denis Villeneuve's films — Paul Atreides is the result of an accident. Or rather, the disobedience of his mother. The Kwisatz Haderach, as planned by the Bene Gesserit, was to be the son of Leto Atreides' firstborn. (Oscar Isaac in the tapes) and a member of House Harkonnen. The couple would have finally produced the messiah, who under the control of the Bene Gesserit, would be destined for power.
But Jessica disobeyed his orders and fathered a male child for Leto. As a Bene Gesserit, the character has the ability to modify the sex of the fetus he carries at will. So it was not an accident, the result of an alternate plan, nor was it ambition. Jessica herself explains that she wanted to console the Duke (widowed and with recent family losses) and that it was an act of love. So the messiah, as the Sisters imagined him, is not the young first-born of the Atreides house.
Still, the precognitive gift of the Bene Gesserit showed that Paul would have influence in the future. The real point is that due to Jessica's decision, the Kwisatz Haderach is no longer in service to the Order of Women Psychics. So, in a way, Paul does fulfill what is expected of him. Although for personal reasons – and revenge – and not the Brotherhood's appetite for power.