Daisy Ridley brings the character of Rey Skywalker to life, delivering a performance that captures resilience, strength, and an unyielding spirit. Introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey’s journey unfolds as a mystery. The scavenger from Jakku becomes the key to the survival of the Jedi Order and the resistance against the Sith. This path is marked by personal growth, ancient discoveries, and the restoration of balance in the galaxy. Rey Skywalker’s journey spans battles, revelations, and the reclamation of a destiny that would shape the future of the Jedi.
A Life Shaped by Solitude on Jakku
Born in secrecy, Rey’s early years remain a puzzle. Left on the desert planet of Jakku, survival depended on scavenging Imperial wreckage in exchange for food rations. Rey possessed natural mechanical skills and displayed an uncanny connection to the Force, even before understanding its true nature.
The call to adventure began with the arrival of BB-8, the Resistance droid carrying vital information about the location of Luke Skywalker. This meeting brought Rey into the paths of Finn and Han Solo. The journey quickly escalated when Rey touched Luke’s lightsaber at Maz Kanata’s castle. This moment triggered a Force vision, hinting at a lineage of power and responsibility that awaited Rey.
Awakening to the Force
Captured by Kylo Ren, Rey’s first major confrontation with the dark side revealed hidden potential. Kylo sought to exploit fear but instead unlocked an awakening of the Force within Rey. Demonstrating raw ability, Rey resisted Kylo’s mind probe and even overpowered him in a lightsaber duel later on Starkiller Base.
This fight showcased Rey’s proficiency with Form I lightsaber combat, an unrefined but effective style rooted in survival instincts. Rey wielded the blue-bladed lightsaber, once belonging to Anakin Skywalker and later Luke. The weapon symbolized Rey’s growing connection to the Skywalker legacy.
Searching for Luke Skywalker
Rey’s search for belonging led to the mysterious planet Ahch-To, where Luke Skywalker had gone into exile. Luke initially refused to train Rey, haunted by past failures. However, the persistence of Rey and the Force’s undeniable pull convinced Luke to share his knowledge.
The training uncovered Rey’s immense Force sensitivity, but also brought awareness of the pull toward the dark side. A connection to Kylo Ren through Force Dyads added layers of complexity to Rey’s struggle. The link allowed the two to sense each other’s emotions and communicate, blurring the lines between enemy and ally.
During this time, Rey learned more advanced combat techniques, refining her Form I abilities. The emotional burden of discovering a darker truth about her lineage—descended from Emperor Palpatine—shook Rey to the core. Still, the desire to bring hope and peace drove Rey forward.
Facing Palpatine on Exegol
The climactic battle on Exegol brought Rey face-to-face with her ultimate challenge. Palpatine revealed plans to use Rey as a vessel for his dark essence, solidifying the Sith’s rule over the galaxy. Rey, armed with Luke and Leia’s lightsabers—both blue-bladed—stood her ground against overwhelming darkness.
Channeling the strength of all past Jedi, Rey turned the Sith’s power against itself. The defeat of Palpatine symbolized the end of the Sith Order and the restoration of balance. Rey’s victory came at great personal cost, but her determination preserved the legacy of the Jedi.
Rey’s Transformation Into Rey Skywalker
After the fall of the Sith, Rey returned to Tatooine. Choosing the Lars homestead as a site of closure, Rey buried Luke and Leia’s lightsabers in the sands. This act symbolized the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. Rey constructed a unique weapon of her own—a single-bladed yellow lightsaber, signifying balance and renewal.
The lightsaber design, crafted from parts of Rey’s staff, reflected the scavenger roots that defined her. By adopting the name Skywalker, Rey embraced the lineage of hope, heroism, and resistance that Luke and Leia represented.
Rey Skywalker’s Legacy
Rey Skywalker’s journey stands as a pivotal chapter in Star Wars history. From a scavenger on Jakku to the savior of the galaxy, Rey’s growth symbolizes the resilience of the Jedi Order. The yellow lightsaber hints at a future for the Jedi that values balance and independence.
By defeating the Sith and claiming a new path forward, Rey became the bridge between the old and the new. The legacy of Rey Skywalker is one of hope and renewal, ensuring the Force will continue to guide the galaxy.
