Star Wars Rise of Skywalker – Guide to Plot Cast and Reception

In December 2019, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker brought the nine-film Skywalker Saga to a close. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the sequel trilogy finale arrived with enormous expectations and immediately generated debate over its storytelling choices, character resolutions, and handling of legacy elements. The film earned more than a billion dollars worldwide but also drew sharp criticism from both reviewers and segments of the fanbase.

The movie follows Rey, Finn, Poe, and the Resistance as they face a resurrected Emperor Palpatine and his hidden Final Order fleet on the Sith planet Exegol. Over two hours and 22 minutes, the narrative resolves Rey’s origins, Kylo Ren’s conflict, and the fate of the Skywalker bloodline. The film remains widely discussed for its plot decisions, including the return of Palpatine and Rey’s adoption of the Skywalker name.

Below is a breakdown of the plot, cast, reception, and legacy of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, based on available production records, box office data, and critical sources.

What is the plot of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?

• The film concludes the Skywalker saga, bringing back Emperor Palpatine as the final antagonist.
• Rey’s lineage is revealed: she is Palpatine’s granddaughter, but she chooses the Skywalker identity.
• Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) is redeemed and dies after saving Rey.
• Jannah is introduced as a former First Order stormtrooper; her background hints at past rebellion conspiracies.
• Despite mixed critical reviews, the film was a box office success, though it underperformed relative to previous sequels.
• The film sparked extensive fan debate about retconning, pacing, and character arcs.

The opening and the return of Palpatine

The film opens with a broadcast from Emperor Palpatine, who announces his survival and threatens the galaxy. He is hiding on the Sith world of Exegol, where he commands a Final Order fleet of Star Destroyers. The Resistance, already weakened after the events of The Last Jedi, learns that Palpatine has been manipulating events for years, including the creation of Snoke and the conflict between Rey and Kylo Ren.

The race to Exegol

Rey continues her Jedi training while Kylo Ren searches for her and for a Sith wayfinder that can lead him to Exegol. The Resistance must find the wayfinder first to stop Palpatine. Meanwhile, Rey grapples with visions and a growing connection to the dark side. The story becomes a race to locate Exegol, uncover Rey’s lineage, and determine whether Ben Solo can be pulled back from the dark side.

Why is Emperor Palpatine back?

Palpatine returned through dark side cloning and unnatural Sith means. He transferred his consciousness before his apparent death in Return of the Jedi and used cloning technology to maintain his form on Exegol. His return raised the stakes to a galaxy-ending scale but also drew criticism because the film does not spend much time explaining how he survived. Many viewers felt the return was dramatic but under-explained.

Who is in the cast of The Rise of Skywalker?

The principal cast includes 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, and Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine. Other key cast members include Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Naomi Ackie as Jannah, Keri Russell as Zorii Bliss, Richard E. Grant as General Pryde, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, and Anthony Daniels as C-3PO. Matt Smith was widely rumored to appear but did not appear in the final released film.

Rey

Rey is the central protagonist. In this film she discovers the truth about her origin, trains further in the Force, and ultimately becomes the one who defeats Palpatine. Her character arc moves from seeking belonging to defining her own identity.

Kylo Ren / Ben Solo

Ben is Rey’s major counterpart and emotional core of the trilogy finale. He begins as Supreme Leader of the First Order but ultimately turns back to the light and helps Rey destroy Palpatine. His redemption is the emotional climax of the movie.

Finn

Finn continues his growth from deserter to committed Resistance fighter. The film strongly implies he is Force-sensitive, though it does not fully develop that thread.

Poe Dameron

Poe becomes one of the Resistance’s key leaders, more serious and burdened than in earlier films. He takes on greater responsibility as the Resistance organises its final stand.

Who is Jannah in The Rise of Skywalker?

Jannah is a former First Order stormtrooper who leads a band of ex-First Order troopers on the moon Kef Bir. Played by Naomi Ackie, she helps Finn confront the moral collapse of the First Order system. Her backstory is left deliberately open, with hints that she may be connected to Lando Calrissian, though the film never explicitly confirms her lineage.

Palpatine

Palpatine is revealed to have survived through cloning and unnatural Sith means. He commands the Final Order from Exegol and seeks to transfer his essence into Rey’s body. His return is one of the film’s biggest and most controversial narrative choices.

Was The Rise of Skywalker a hit or a flop?

The film grossed $1.077 billion worldwide, making it a financial success but the lowest-grossing entry in the sequel trilogy. The Force Awakens earned $2.07 billion and The Last Jedi earned $1.33 billion. Critical reception was notably divided.

Critical reception

Critics gave the film a 51% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus describing it as visually impressive but narratively overstuffed. The film was criticised for relying on nostalgia and fan service while rushing through character arcs and plot revelations.

Audience reception

Audiences rated the film 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, a significant gap from the critic score. This split reflected the broader division within the Star Wars fanbase over the direction of the sequel trilogy. Many viewers appreciated the emotional closure and action, while others felt the film retconned key elements from The Last Jedi.

Fan debate and controversy

The film sparked extensive debate about retconning, pacing, and character arcs. The decision to resurrect Palpatine was seen by many as a reduction of Anakin’s sacrifice in Return of the Jedi. Rey’s parentage reveal, which reworked the “nobody” implication from The Last Jedi, created narrative whiplash for audiences.

Is The Rise of Skywalker the last Star Wars movie?

The Rise of Skywalker is the final film of the Skywalker Saga, but it is not the last Star Wars movie. Disney and Lucasfilm have announced multiple upcoming films, including projects by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy (set after Episode IX), James Mangold (a Dawn of the Jedi story), and Dave Filoni (a Mandalorian-era film). In addition, streaming series such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew continue to expand the Star Wars universe on Disney+.

Will there be a Star Wars 10?

Disney has announced multiple new Star Wars films, but they are separate from the Skywalker saga. The next theatrical release is expected around 2026 or later. The franchise is moving forward with new characters and eras rather than a direct Episode X.

How does The Rise of Skywalker end?

The ending is emotionally and symbolically loaded. Rey confronts Palpatine on Exegol and rejects his demand that she take his place as Sith Empress. Ben Solo, having abandoned the identity of Kylo Ren after a vision of Han Solo, returns to help her. Rey channels the strength of past Jedi and declares, “I am all the Jedi,” before using the combined power of the Jedi who came before her to defeat Palpatine.

Ben sacrifices himself by giving his life force to revive Rey, who had died in the confrontation. Their kiss became one of the film’s most discussed moments, especially because it is immediately followed by Ben’s death. He disappears, and he is not shown as a Force ghost in the final scene.

In the closing moments, Rey travels to Tatooine and visits the Lars homestead. A passerby asks her name, and she responds, “Rey Skywalker.” She then looks at the twin suns as the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia watch over her. The film ends with the main theme and the words “The Skywalker Saga will return.”

Timeline of The Rise of Skywalker: Production to Release

1. October 30, 2012 — Disney acquires Lucasfilm; Episode IX announced as part of new trilogy.
2. December 18, 2015 — The Force Awakens released; Colin Trevorrow hired as director for Episode IX.
3. September 12, 2017 — Trevorrow departs; J.J. Abrams returns as director.
4. April 12, 2018 — Title “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” announced at Star Wars Celebration.
5. August 1, 2018 — Principal photography begins at Pinewood Studios.
6. January 24, 2019 — Principal photography wraps; reshoots scheduled.
7. April 12, 2019 — First teaser trailer released.
8. October 21, 2019 — Final trailer debuts.
9. December 20, 2019 — Worldwide theatrical release.
10. March 17, 2020 — Digital and Blu-ray release.
11. May 4, 2020 — Streaming debut on Disney+.

What Is Certain vs. Unclear in The Rise of Skywalker?

Analysis and Context: Why The Rise of Skywalker Divided Fans

The film’s decision to resurrect Palpatine was seen by many as a retcon of the original trilogy and a reduction of Anakin’s sacrifice. In Return of the Jedi, Anakin fulfilled the prophecy by destroying the Sith. Bringing Palpatine back undercut that resolution in the eyes of many viewers.

Rey’s parentage reveal created a second point of tension. The Force Awakens treated her ancestry as mysterious. The Last Jedi strongly implied that her parents were “nobody” in a meaningful narrative sense. The Rise of Skywalker reworked that by making her a Palpatine descendant, which many critics and fans saw as a retcon. The fast-paced second half and lack of time jumps left little room for character development.

The critical consensus described the film as visually impressive but narratively overstuffed, relying on nostalgia and fan service. Despite these criticisms, the film remains a significant cultural event as the conclusion of the nine-film Skywalker saga.

Notable Quotes and Sources

“The dead speak! The galaxy has heard a mysterious broadcast… a threat of revenge in the voice of the late Emperor Palpatine.”

Opening crawl, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

“I am all the Sith!”

Emperor Palpatine, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

“The story is over. This is the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.”

J.J. Abrams, 2019 Star Wars Celebration panel (via Variety, April 12, 2019)

What Comes After The Rise of Skywalker?

The Star Wars franchise continues with multiple announced projects. Upcoming films include Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film set after Episode IX, James Mangold’s Dawn of the Jedi, and Dave Filoni’s Mandalorian-era film. Streaming series such as The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and Skeleton Crew further expand the universe. No direct sequel to The Rise of Skywalker has been announced, but the franchise moves forward with new characters and eras. For a look at another major franchise release from the same period, see our coverage of Death on the Nile: Hit or Flop? Reviews, Cast, Plot 2022. And for a different kind of story with a deep ending analysis, check out The Girl Who Escaped (2023): Where to Watch, Ending & True Story.

Frequently Asked Questions