The overt dangers posed by a duel with the Fremen's Jamis have led some quarters to query why Lady Jessica let Paul fight in Blade Runner 2049 director's film being nominated for a slew of prestigious end-of-year awards. Yet despite the unanimous critical acclaim for Dune, the film's slender narrative has still produced several bones of contention amongst audiences, with Lady Jessica's (Rebecca Ferguson) character motivations one such plot element called into question.
Dune's climactic ending sees Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) and his mother Jessica finally reach the deep desert of Arrakis, where they encounter the Fremen, including the warrior Jamis (Babs Olusanmokun), who protests their ission into the Sietch. Jamis challenges Jessica to a ritual duel to the death, with Jessica subsequently naming Paul as her champion. Paul eventually bests Jamis, killing him, before Paul s the Fremen as one of their own to fulfill his destiny and bring peace to the planet of Arrakis.
Although Jessica letting Paul fight at the end of Dune is undoubtedly a dangerous choice, it also marks significant character progression for both Paul and Jessica that is necessary to continue Dune's unfolding story. Jessica witnessing Paul’s growth in Arrakis forces her to contend with the possibility he is the Kwisatz Haderach as he displays his skills of prescience, voice, and quick wit throughout their journey. Jessica also understands she cannot fight Jamis without turning the Fremen against her, meaning she must allow Paul to risk death to prove himself in their eyes and become the prophecized leader he is destined to be.
Lady Jessica's character arc is perhaps the most satisfying in Dune, particularly given her reluctance to put Paul through hardship at the start of the film. Jessica is shown to be terrified of the prospect of subjecting her only son to the Bene Gesserit's stressful Gom Jabbar test, the failure of which is punished by instant death. Jessica is overwhelmed with feelings of dread as her son cries out in pain, and only by reciting the Litany Against Fear can she resist consoling Paul and allowing him to the test.
Yet as Jessica witnesses Paul's growth as a competent heir to house Atreides, she is forced to confront the increasingly clear signs that he is the Kwisatz Haderach. By the time Jessica is challenged by Jamis in the deep desert, Paul has shown a high level of Spice-induced prescience, successfully used the Bene Gesserit's "the Voice" technique, and shown skill and wit with a blade against the Sardaukar's surprise attack. Jessica is also acutely aware that accepting Jamis' fight-to-the-death challenge herself will alienate the Fremen, turning them away from their cause, and so she has no alternative but to call Paul forth as her champion. Put simply, Jessica must allow Paul to risk death once again in order to ensure his continued transition towards becoming the prophecized savior of Arrakis. Lady Jessica continues to care deeply for her son, but she lets him fight Jamis in service to a cause greater than her love for Paul in Dune.
