Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
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Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron must lead the remnants of the Resistance in a final stand against the resurrected Emperor Palpatine.
The story
A year after the Battle of Crait, the resurrected Emperor Palpatine sends a message of revenge to the galaxy. Kylo Ren obtains a Sith wayfinder that leads him to the hidden planet Exegol, where Palpatine reveals himself as the power behind Snoke and the First Order. Palpatine offers Ren a deal: if he finds and kills Rey, who is currently undergoing Jedi training under the leadership of Leia Organa, he will be granted an armada of Star Destroyers. Meanwhile, Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron must navigate a dangerous journey to uncover the truth about Palpatine's involvement and the location of the wayfinder to protect the Resistance.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the Battle of Crait, Emperor Palpatine is resurrected and reveals himself to Kylo Ren on the planet Exegol. He offers Ren an armada of Star Destroyers if he kills Rey, who is training with Leia Organa. Rey, Finn, Poe, and Chewbacca travel to Pasaana to find a wayfinder, where they encounter Kylo Ren. During the conflict, Rey discovers that Palpatine is her grandfather. The group eventually reaches a moon in the Endor system where Rey finds the wayfinder in the wreckage of the second Death Star. After a confrontation with Ren, where Leia uses the Force to help Rey defeat him, Rey takes his ship to Ahch-To. On Ahch-To, Luke's spirit encourages Rey to face Palpatine. Rey travels to Exegol, where she faces a weakened Palpatine while the Resistance and Ben Solo (who has reclaimed his identity) join her. In a final battle, Rey uses the power of both Luke and Leia's lightsabers to destroy Palpatine. Ben Solo dies after saving Rey, and the Resistance celebrates their victory. The film ends with Rey visiting Luke's home on Tatooine and declaring herself 'Rey Skywalker'.
- Original title
- Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 141
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- J. J. Abrams
- Writers
- Chris Terrio · screenplay; J. J. Abrams · screenplay; Derek Connolly · story; Colin Trevorrow · story; J. J. Abrams · story; Chris Terrio · story
- Cast and characters
- Carrie Fisher · Leia Organa; Mark Hamill · Luke Skywalker; Adam Driver · Ben Solo / Kylo Ren; Daisy Ridley · Rey; John Boyega · Finn; Oscar Isaac · Poe Dameron; Anthony Daniels · C-3PO; Naomi Ackie · Jannah; Domhnall Gleeson · General Hux; Richard E. Grant · Allegiant General Pryde; Lupita Nyong'o · Maz Kanata; Keri Russell · Zorii Bliss
- Genres
- epic space opera; science fiction; adventure
- Themes
- legacy; redemption; sacrifice; identity
- Tone and mood
- epic; tense; heroic
- Setting
- A galaxy featuring planets like Exegol, Pasaana, Kijimi, and Ahch-To during the final era of the Skywalker saga.
- Premise and plot tags
- space opera; sequel; war; fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Star Wars
- Franchise connections
- Star Wars
- Content notes
- flashing lights
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and was noted for its polarizing narrative choices, particularly regarding the return of Palpatine and the reduction of certain characters' roles.
- Awards and nominations
- Saturn Award · Best Science Fiction Film · 46th · win
- Production trivia
- The film's script was once titled 'Duel of the Fates' during development.; The script was briefly listed on eBay for approximately £65 after being left in a hotel room.; The line 'Somehow, Palpatine returned' became a widely recognized internet meme.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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