Star Wars: The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, is the eighth installment in the Star Wars saga. The movie continues the story of the Resistance as they face off against the First Order, while Rey seeks out the legendary Jedi, Luke Skywalker, for guidance. The film explores themes of failure, hope, and redefining the role of the Jedi in the galaxy.
The Resistance in Peril
The film begins with the Resistance fleeing from the First Order after their base is discovered. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) leads a daring attack on a First Order Dreadnought, disobeying orders from General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), which leads to heavy Resistance losses. Although Poe destroys the Dreadnought, Leia demotes him for his reckless actions.
The First Order, led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), continues to track the Resistance fleet using new hyperspace tracking technology. The Resistance, low on fuel and options, faces constant pursuit.
Rey’s Journey to Find Luke
Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley) arrives on the remote planet of Ahch-To to find Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), hoping that he will return to help the Resistance. However, Luke is disillusioned with the Jedi and refuses to train Rey, having exiled himself after his failure to prevent Ben Solo (Adam Driver) from turning to the dark side and becoming Kylo Ren.
Despite Luke’s reluctance, Rey begins to discover her own connection to the Force, experiencing visions and reaching out to Kylo Ren through an unexplained Force bond. The two have several tense and emotional encounters where they try to understand each other, and Kylo reveals that Luke attempted to kill him in fear of his growing power, leading him to embrace the dark side.
The Fall of Luke’s Jedi Temple
Through flashbacks, we learn that Luke had sensed the dark side growing in Ben Solo. In a moment of weakness, Luke considered killing Ben to prevent him from becoming a threat, but he quickly regretted his decision. However, Ben awoke to see Luke standing over him with his lightsaber ignited, leading him to believe that Luke had betrayed him. This misunderstanding solidified Ben’s turn to the dark side and his transformation into Kylo Ren, destroying the Jedi temple and fleeing to join Snoke.
The Resistance’s Desperation and Finn’s Mission
Back with the Resistance, Finn (John Boyega) and new character Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), a Resistance maintenance worker, embark on a mission to disable the First Order’s tracking device. They travel to Canto Bight, a lavish casino city where they hope to find a codebreaker who can help them infiltrate the First Order’s flagship.
Canto Bight introduces a side plot that critiques the war-profiteering class, showing the darker side of wealth in the galaxy. Finn and Rose eventually find the codebreaker DJ (Benicio Del Toro), but their mission ultimately fails when DJ betrays them to the First Order for money.
The Connection Between Rey and Kylo Ren
As Rey continues to explore her powers, her connection with Kylo Ren deepens. They share visions of each other’s pasts and futures, with Kylo trying to convince Rey that her parents were nobodies and that she has no special lineage. Rey believes there is still good in Kylo and travels to the First Order’s flagship to confront him and turn him back to the light.
In a climactic scene, Rey is brought before Snoke, who tortures her and orders Kylo to kill her. However, in a surprising twist, Kylo turns on Snoke and kills him, freeing Rey. The two briefly fight together against Snoke’s guards in an intense lightsaber battle, but after the fight, Kylo asks Rey to join him in ruling the galaxy. Rey refuses, and the two are once again divided.
The Battle on Crait: The Resistance’s Last Stand
As the Resistance fleet is nearly destroyed, Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) devises a desperate plan to save the remnants of the Resistance. While the Resistance escapes to the planet Crait, Holdo sacrifices herself by ramming her ship into the First Order fleet at lightspeed, creating a visually stunning sequence that decimates the First Order’s forces.
The remaining Resistance fighters make their last stand on Crait, facing overwhelming odds as the First Order’s walkers advance. In a heroic moment, Finn attempts to sacrifice himself to destroy a First Order cannon, but Rose crashes into him, saving his life and telling him that the only way to win is by saving what they love.
Luke Skywalker’s Return and Sacrifice
As the First Order closes in, hope seems lost for the Resistance. However, Luke Skywalker arrives, facing down Kylo Ren and the First Order army alone. In a breathtaking confrontation, Kylo unleashes all his rage on Luke, but it is revealed that Luke is not physically present—he is projecting his image across the galaxy through the Force.
This powerful act of self-sacrifice gives the Resistance time to escape and inspires hope throughout the galaxy. Exhausted from the effort, Luke dies in peace, becoming one with the Force, his legacy as a Jedi legend cemented.
The Final Moments and Hope for the Future
The film ends with the Resistance reduced to a handful of fighters, but Leia reassures the survivors that hope still remains. Rey, now fully embracing her role in the Resistance, holds the future of the Jedi in her hands after retrieving the sacred texts from Luke’s island.
In the final scene, a young boy on Canto Bight is shown using the Force to lift a broom, symbolizing that the legend of Luke Skywalker and the hope of the Jedi lives on, even in the most unexpected places.
A New Path for the Jedi
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a bold and divisive entry in the Star Wars saga, challenging long-held notions about the Jedi, legacy, and heroism. The film emphasizes failure as a necessary part of growth and evolution, both for its characters and the galaxy. With stunning visuals, unexpected twists, and a message of hope, The Last Jedi takes the franchise in a new direction, setting the stage for the final chapter in the Skywalker saga.