The Rise of Skywalker
The saga concludes as the galaxy fights for its soul against the return of ultimate evil.
The Rise of Skywalker serves as the ninth and final installment in the main Star Wars saga, concluding the narrative arc begun decades prior. It focuses on Rey's journey to confront the resurrected Emperor Palpatine while navigating the final conflict between the Resistance and the Sith Eternal forces.
- Release Year
- 2019
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Preceding Episode
- The Last Jedi
- Primary Antagonist
- Darth Sidious
- Key Location
- Exegol
Lore & Background
Deep within the Unknown Regions lies Exegol, a Sith stronghold shrouded in perpetual storms where Emperor Palpatine has been whispering from beyond the grave. He commands the 'Final Order,' a terrifying armada of Xyston-class Star Destroyers, each equipped with a superlaser capable of obliterating entire worlds to enforce his rule. The narrative forces Rey to confront a brutal truth: she is not a random orphan but the granddaughter of the fallen Emperor, creating a visceral struggle between her bloodline and her choice to embrace the light.
The Force itself becomes a chorus in this final chapter; during Rey's darkest hour, the spirits of every past Jedi—Yoda, Obi-Wan, Luke, and others—speak through her, proving that no one stands alone against the dark. This convergence culminates in Ben Solo's return, a redemption bought with life itself that finally breaks the Skywalker family cycle of trauma. As the galaxy unites to repel the Sith fleet, the victory ushers in a new era where Rey, honoring her true mentors, rebuilds the Jedi Order under the name she chose for herself.
In Their Own Story
The air in the throne room shimmers with red lightning as it arcs against the obsidian walls, illuminating the ancient malice of the resurrected Sith Lord. Rey stands unyielding, her golden lightsaber humming—a stark beacon cutting through the gloom. She hears them: a whispering choir of ancestors lending their strength to her resolve. In the climactic clash, she does not strike out of hatred, but out of necessity. With a final surge of power drawn from the collective light side, she ends the cycle of vengeance that has haunted the galaxy for generations.
Reader's Guide
The Resistance races against time to locate ancient Sith wayfinders, leading them to the hidden planet Exegol and Palpatine's Final Order fleet. On the ocean moon Kef Bir, Rey faces Kylo Ren in a duel that mirrors their fractured identities; simultaneously, Leia Organa reaches out through the Force one last time, guiding her son toward redemption before passing into the ether.
Outnumbered but unbroken, the Resistance rallies citizens from across the galaxy for a desperate assault on Exegol. Amidst the chaos of starships and ground troops, Rey confronts the Sith Lord directly, bolstered by the voices of past Jedi. In a moment of ultimate sacrifice, she absorbs Palpatine's lightning to destroy him, giving up her life force until Ben Solo returns, healing her wounds before fading into the Force forever. The battle concludes with the destruction of the Sith fleet, securing peace as Rey adopts the Skywalker name to honor the family that saved the universe.
Did You Know?
- Leia Organa's scenes were completed using archival footage from previous films.
- The film reveals Rey is Palpatine's granddaughter rather than a random orphan.
- It marks the conclusion of the nine-film Skywalker Saga.