Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, directed by J.J. Abrams. The movie serves as the conclusion to the sequel trilogy, resolving key storylines from the entire saga. Packed with action, nostalgia, and moments of fan service, it explores themes of legacy, redemption, and destiny.
Detailed Summary
The Return of Palpatine
The movie begins with the shocking revelation that Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is alive, having secretly manipulated events behind the scenes. His survival after Return of the Jedi is explained through a mix of dark science and the Sith arts. Palpatine announces his return by broadcasting a threat to the galaxy, promising a new Final Order to crush the Resistance once and for all.
Kylo Ren’s Quest
Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) hunts down Palpatine, determined to consolidate his power as Supreme Leader of the First Order. He finds Palpatine on the Sith homeworld of Exegol, where the Emperor reveals that he has created a massive fleet of Star Destroyers, each equipped with planet-killing weapons. Palpatine offers Kylo the fleet in exchange for killing Rey (Daisy Ridley), who poses a threat to his plans.
Rey’s Heritage Revealed
The central mystery of Rey’s parentage is resolved in this film. It is revealed that she is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, making her the heir to the Sith legacy. This revelation sends Rey into an identity crisis, as she struggles with the idea that darkness may be her destiny.
The Search for the Sith Wayfinder
Rey, along with Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac), Chewbacca, and the rest of the Resistance, embarks on a quest to find the Sith Wayfinder, an ancient device that will lead them to Exegol. Along the way, they encounter old friends, new allies, and a few enemies, including the mysterious Zorii Bliss (Keri Russell) and the enigmatic Jannah (Naomi Ackie).
The Redemption of Ben Solo
As Rey and Kylo Ren continue their battle across the galaxy, Rey eventually heals a wounded Kylo during a lightsaber duel. This moment, combined with a vision of his father, Han Solo (Harrison Ford), leads Kylo Ren to reject the dark side and embrace his former identity as Ben Solo. He throws away his lightsaber, choosing to fight for the light.
The Final Battle at Exegol
In the climactic battle, the Resistance launches a full-scale attack on Exegol, while Rey confronts Palpatine. Palpatine attempts to convert Rey to the dark side, but she resists. Ben Solo joins her, and together they face the Emperor. In a dramatic final act, Rey channels the power of all the Jedi who have come before her to defeat Palpatine once and for all, sacrificing herself in the process. Ben, in turn, gives his life force to revive Rey, dying in the process.
The End of the Skywalker Saga
Rey returns to the Resistance base, where the galaxy celebrates the fall of the First Order and the destruction of Palpatine’s forces. In the final scene, Rey travels to Tatooine, where she buries the lightsabers of Luke and Leia. When asked for her name, she declares herself Rey Skywalker, signaling her choice to embrace the legacy of the Skywalkers despite her Palpatine bloodline.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, The Rise of Skywalker does not have a post-credits scene. Star Wars movies traditionally do not include such scenes, and this film is no exception. Once the credits roll, the story is considered complete without teasing future events, especially since this movie marks the conclusion of the nine-film Skywalker saga.
Type of Movie
This is a space opera and sci-fi fantasy film, blending large-scale galactic warfare, personal character arcs, and elements of myth and the supernatural. It’s an action-packed, visually spectacular conclusion to the Star Wars saga, filled with lightsaber duels, space battles, and mystical Force powers.
Cast
- Daisy Ridley as Rey
- Adam Driver as Kylo Ren/Ben Solo
- John Boyega as Finn
- Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
- Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa (using archival footage)
- Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine
- Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker (Force ghost)
- Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
- Keri Russell as Zorii Bliss
- Naomi Ackie as Jannah
- Richard E. Grant as General Pryde
Film Music and Composer
John Williams, the legendary composer behind the music of all nine Star Wars saga films, returns to compose the score for The Rise of Skywalker. His iconic themes are interwoven throughout the movie, bringing back motifs from previous films while introducing new ones to accompany Rey’s journey and the final battle. Williams even makes a brief cameo appearance in the film as a bartender.
Filming Locations
- Wadi Rum, Jordan: Served as the desert planet Pasaana, where Rey and the Resistance go during their search for the Wayfinder.
- Pinewood Studios, UK: Most of the interior shots and key action sequences were filmed here, using a combination of physical sets and advanced CGI.
- Ireland: Used for additional scenes on the planet Ahch-To, where Rey returns briefly to commune with Luke.
These locations provide the necessary scale and visual grandeur for the epic space landscapes and alien worlds.
Awards and Nominations
While The Rise of Skywalker didn’t win major awards, it was nominated for several technical categories:
- Academy Award Nominations: Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing
- Visual Effects Society Awards: Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature
- Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Actress for Daisy Ridley
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film used previously unseen footage of Carrie Fisher from The Force Awakens to incorporate Leia into the movie after Fisher’s passing.
- The final lightsaber battle between Rey and Kylo Ren on the Death Star wreckage took months to plan and shoot, requiring extensive choreography.
- J.J. Abrams reintroduced Emperor Palpatine after the idea of Snoke was cut short in The Last Jedi.
- Billy Dee Williams reprised his role as Lando Calrissian for the first time since Return of the Jedi (1983).
Inspirations and References
The film is inspired by the broader Star Wars mythology, drawing heavily from the original trilogy in terms of tone and story beats. It also references classic myths of redemption and heroism, as well as the work of Joseph Campbell and his concept of the “Hero’s Journey.”
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There have been reports of multiple drafts and alternate endings, with different fates for Ben Solo and Rey. While none of these were officially released, fans speculate that earlier versions of the script may have had a more definitive ending for Rey’s character.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie has a novelization by Rae Carson, which expands on several scenes, including Rey’s inner turmoil over her heritage and more background on Palpatine’s return. The novel also provides more depth to Finn’s Force sensitivity, which is only hinted at in the film.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Rey and Kylo’s duel on the Death Star wreckage.
- The moment when Rey hears the voices of past Jedi, including Luke, Leia, Obi-Wan, and Yoda, during the final battle.
- The emotional scene where Han Solo appears to Kylo Ren, leading to Ben Solo’s redemption.
Iconic Quotes
- Rey: “People keep telling me they know me. No one does.”
- Kylo Ren: “I know who you are.”
- Leia: “Never underestimate a droid.”
- Rey: “I am all the Jedi.”
- Rey (to a villager): “Rey. Rey Skywalker.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- John Williams’ cameo: The composer appears as a bartender on Kijimi.
- Ewok cameo: A brief shot of Wicket the Ewok (played by Warwick Davis) and his family is seen during the victory celebration.
- The voices of Jedi past include not only Luke and Leia, but also Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu, and Ahsoka Tano.
- Rey’s final stance with the twin suns mirrors Luke’s iconic scene from A New Hope.
Trivia
- John Williams scored his final Star Wars movie with this installment.
- Daisy Ridley had to keep Rey’s parentage a secret for nearly two years after learning it.
- Oscar Isaac and John Boyega improvised many of their comedic lines.
- Adam Driver performed many of his own stunts during the lightsaber duels.
Why Watch?
The Rise of Skywalker is a must-watch for fans looking for closure to the nine-film Skywalker saga. It offers action-packed sequences, emotional character moments, and a nostalgic return to the themes that made Star Wars iconic.
Director’s Other Movies
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
- Star Trek (2009)
- Super 8 (2011)
- Mission: Impossible III (2006)
