Jannah, played by Naomi Ackie, makes a striking debut in The Rise of Skywalker as a warrior leading a group of former First Order stormtroopers on Kef Bir. Rey, portrayed by Daisy Ridley, continues the quest to stop the return of Emperor Palpatine and uncover the truth about identity and destiny. Their paths cross during this critical journey, and while their interactions are brief, their connection represents a deeper theme of self-discovery, freedom, and choice in the fight against oppression.
Meeting on Kef Bir: A Shared Understanding
Rey arrives on Kef Bir searching for the Sith Wayfinder, the key to reaching Exegol, where Palpatine has rebuilt his power. The ruins of the second Death Star, submerged in the violent ocean waves, hold this last piece of the puzzle. However, before Rey embarks on this dangerous retrieval, Jannah and her people encounter the Resistance fighters Finn, Poe Dameron, and their crew.
Jannah and her companions are former stormtroopers who, like Finn, abandoned their roles in the First Order. Taken from their families as children and conditioned for war, they were programmed to follow orders without question. But something changed. Jannah recounts how, during a mission, an overwhelming feeling stopped them from firing on civilians. It was not planned. It was not a coordinated effort. They simply refused. The entire unit laid down their weapons and defected, escaping to the moon of Kef Bir, where they lived in exile.
This revelation resonates with Finn, who also broke free from the First Order’s control. It also indirectly connects with Rey, who struggles with the weight of her lineage. While Jannah speaks of an unexplainable force guiding her to rebellion, Finn expresses a similar belief that something greater—perhaps the Force—led them to make that choice. Though Rey is focused on her mission, the presence of individuals like Jannah reinforces the idea that identity is not defined by the past.
Rey’s Trial and Jannah’s Role in the Resistance
Determined to retrieve the Sith Wayfinder, Rey takes a skiff and ventures alone into the wreckage of the Death Star. The mission is perilous. The unstable structure and violent ocean waves make the journey treacherous, but Rey is undeterred. Inside, she faces visions of her darker self, an illusion that foreshadows the looming truth of her heritage. Kylo Ren arrives shortly after, destroying the Wayfinder and forcing another intense duel between the two.
Meanwhile, Jannah’s role in the story expands as she learns more about the Resistance. While Rey fights an internal and external battle, Jannah and Finn prepare for the larger war against the Final Order. The growing connection between Jannah and Finn suggests that she, too, is searching for a purpose beyond mere survival. The Resistance offers something she lost—a cause, a fight worth joining.
When Rey departs for Ahch-To, struggling with the revelation of being a Palpatine, Jannah remains with Finn, who convinces her that their fight is not over.
The Battle of Exegol: Two Paths, One Goal
The final confrontation between the Resistance and the Sith Eternal fleet marks the ultimate test of the characters’ growth. While Rey faces Emperor Palpatine on Exegol, Jannah plays a crucial role in the ground assault against the Sith fleet.
The battle plan requires Finn, Jannah, and a small strike team to board the Steadfast, one of the Resurgent-class Star Destroyers equipped with planet-destroying weaponry. Unlike conventional attacks, this mission is unconventional—conducted on the surface of the ship itself, utilizing Orbak mounts instead of mechanical transport.
Jannah’s knowledge of First Order technology proves invaluable. The fleet, designed for control and destruction, has weaknesses known only to those who once served within it. Alongside Finn, Jannah fights through enemy forces to destroy the navigation tower, cutting off the fleet’s ability to mobilize. When the First Order adapts by transferring controls to another vessel, Jannah and Finn change course, boarding the command ship and disabling its systems from within.
At the same time, Rey stands alone against Palpatine. Though their battles take place in separate locations, the themes remain intertwined. Jannah, a former servant of the First Order, takes part in dismantling its greatest weapon. Rey, a descendant of the Sith, rejects the darkness and chooses to forge her own path. Both characters face a past that once defined them and emerge victorious through the power of choice.
The Aftermath and a New Purpose
With the destruction of the Sith fleet and Palpatine’s final defeat, the war comes to an end. The Resistance celebrates its victory, but for individuals like Jannah, the journey is far from over.
In one of the film’s final scenes, Jannah shares a quiet moment with Lando Calrissian. The conversation is brief, but it hints at something deeper. Lando asks where Jannah comes from, to which she responds that she doesn’t know. With a smile, Lando suggests they find out together. While this exchange is subtle, it raises the possibility of Jannah having a deeper connection to the galaxy’s history. Some speculate that she could be Lando’s long-lost daughter, though the film leaves this unresolved.
Rey, on the other hand, returns to Tatooine, where she buries the Skywalker lightsabers and adopts the name Rey Skywalker. Just as Jannah chooses her future beyond the First Order, Rey chooses her own identity, separate from her lineage. Both characters symbolize the idea that heritage does not define destiny.
Legacy of Jannah and Rey
The connection between Jannah and Rey in The Rise of Skywalker extends beyond direct interaction. Their stories parallel one another, reinforcing themes of self-determination and the fight against oppression. Rey, trained as a Jedi, grapples with the fear of following in Palpatine’s footsteps. Jannah, raised to serve the First Order, rejects that fate and chooses freedom. Both defy expectations, proving that true strength comes from within.
Their choices shape the future of the galaxy. Jannah’s journey remains open-ended, with hints of a greater past yet to be uncovered. Rey’s path as the last Jedi signals a new era for the Force. Though their fates differ, their impact on the final battle against the Sith will be remembered as a testament to the power of free will.
