“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (2017), the second installment in the sequel trilogy of the legendary “Star Wars” saga, is a film that divided its fanbase upon release, stirring both passionate acclaim and sharp criticism. Directed by Rian Johnson, it came with high expectations as the follow-up to J.J. Abrams’ “The Force Awakens” (2015). Johnson’s approach, however, defied many conventions and familiar patterns established in previous “Star Wars” films, making it one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise. At its core, “The Last Jedi” is a film that challenges the traditional heroic journey, presenting a story that subverts expectations while also probing deeper into the nature of power, identity, and failure.
The film picks up where “The Force Awakens” left off, with Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeking out the exiled Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to bring him back into the fight against the First Order. Simultaneously, the Resistance is on the run, led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), facing overwhelming odds as the First Order, now commanded by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), relentlessly pursues them. This premise sets up two parallel storylines: Rey’s quest for guidance and understanding of the Force, and the Resistance’s desperate bid for survival.
One of the most striking elements of “The Last Jedi” is its treatment of Luke Skywalker, a character who has long been emblematic of the “Star Wars” mythos. When Rey finds him, she expects a wise and willing mentor who will help her embrace her role in the galaxy’s struggle between light and dark. Instead, she discovers a broken man who has lost faith in the Jedi Order and in himself. Luke is haunted by his past, particularly his failure to guide his nephew Ben Solo (Adam Driver), who turned to the dark side and became Kylo Ren. This portrayal of Luke is perhaps the most contentious aspect of the film. Some fans felt betrayed by the idea that their childhood hero had become a disillusioned recluse, while others appreciated the film’s willingness to explore the darker, more human side of the character. Mark Hamill himself famously expressed initial discomfort with the direction his character was taken but ultimately delivered a powerful performance that added layers of complexity to Luke’s legacy.
Rey’s arc in the film is one of discovery and self-realization. Her connection to Kylo Ren becomes a focal point, with the two sharing a series of mysterious Force connections that allow them to communicate across vast distances. These scenes are some of the film’s most compelling, as they explore the tension between the light and dark sides of the Force in a way that blurs traditional binaries. Kylo Ren, brilliantly portrayed by Adam Driver, is a villain unlike any other in the “Star Wars” saga. He is torn between his desire for power and his internal struggle with guilt and fear. The film deepens his character, moving away from the notion of him being a mere Vader copycat. His evolving relationship with Rey is central to the movie’s thematic exploration of balance and the gray areas between good and evil.
Johnson’s script plays with expectations throughout the film. One of the most surprising moments comes midway through when Snoke, the enigmatic and seemingly all-powerful Supreme Leader, is abruptly killed by Kylo Ren. For many, this was an astonishing twist, as it defied the typical “Star Wars” formula where the big villain is preserved until the final confrontation in the concluding film. The decision to eliminate Snoke left the narrative free to focus on the more personal conflict between Rey and Kylo, rather than a traditional showdown between heroes and a grandiose villain. This choice, however, also left some viewers feeling unsatisfied, as Snoke’s background and motivations were left largely unexplored.
The film’s visual storytelling is one of its strongest aspects. Johnson, working with cinematographer Steve Yedlin, creates some of the most visually arresting sequences in the “Star Wars” saga. The standout moment is the silent, lightspeed attack by Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), which splits Snoke’s flagship in two in a stunning, soundless visual display. The use of color, particularly the red and white palette on the planet Crait during the climactic battle, provides a striking backdrop for the action and reinforces the film’s thematic contrasts between light and dark, hope and despair.
“The Last Jedi” also delves into themes of failure and redemption. Luke’s arc is the most obvious example, but the film extends this to other characters as well. Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), for instance, undergoes significant growth over the course of the film. At the beginning, he is reckless and impulsive, willing to sacrifice lives for short-term victories. By the end, he learns that leadership is about more than heroics, and that sometimes survival and strategic retreat are the better options. Finn (John Boyega), paired with newcomer Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), embarks on a mission to disable the First Order’s tracking system, only to fail spectacularly. Their storyline is often cited as one of the film’s weaker points, as it diverts attention from the main plot and introduces a new setting – the casino city of Canto Bight – that some felt was unnecessary. However, this subplot also reinforces the film’s message that even heroes can fail, and that these failures are integral to growth.
One of the film’s central messages is that the legacy of the Jedi and the Force is not limited to a chosen few. This idea is encapsulated in Luke’s final act, when he projects his image across the galaxy to confront Kylo Ren and allow the Resistance to escape. His sacrifice is not just about saving the day, but also about inspiring hope in the galaxy. In his final moments, he recognizes that the future of the Jedi and the Force does not rest solely on his shoulders or Rey’s, but on a new generation. This theme is subtly echoed in the final scene of the film, which shows a young boy on Canto Bight using the Force to move a broom, symbolizing that the potential for heroism and connection to the Force exists in ordinary people, not just in the Skywalker bloodline.
Despite its ambitious narrative and thematic depth, “The Last Jedi” is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film is uneven at times, particularly during the Canto Bight sequence, which feels somewhat disconnected from the main story. Some of the humor, particularly in the opening sequence with Poe and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), feels out of place in a “Star Wars” film, undercutting the tension. Additionally, some fans were left frustrated by the film’s treatment of longstanding mysteries set up in “The Force Awakens.” For example, Rey’s parentage, a question that drove much speculation after the first film, is revealed to be inconsequential, with Kylo Ren telling her that her parents were nobodies, junk traders who abandoned her. While this revelation fits with the film’s theme of breaking down the idea of destiny and special bloodlines, it left many fans feeling unsatisfied after years of buildup.
Another aspect of the film that sparked debate is its treatment of legacy characters. While Luke’s arc was controversial, the character of Leia also plays a pivotal role in the story, and her use of the Force in a life-or-death moment was met with mixed reactions. When her ship is destroyed, Leia uses the Force to pull herself back to safety in a scene that some found inspiring, but others criticized for its perceived lack of realism within the established “Star Wars” rules. Given that Carrie Fisher tragically passed away before the film’s release, her scenes carry an emotional weight that adds to the poignancy of her role.