Supreme Leader Snoke, played by Andy Serkis, stood as the dominant power of the First Order. A mysterious and immensely powerful dark side user, Snoke commanded both Kylo Ren and General Hux, shaping the First Order into a ruthless military force. Snoke’s control over Kylo Ren appeared absolute, manipulating the young warrior to serve the dark side’s interests. The Supreme Leader’s reign came to a shocking end in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, when Kylo Ren struck down the very master who had guided his fall.
Snoke’s death altered the power dynamics of the First Order, propelling Kylo Ren into the role of Supreme Leader. The moment also served as a deception—Kylo Ren’s decision to kill Snoke was not an act of redemption, but a calculated step toward seizing ultimate power. The Supreme Leader’s fall was not just a dramatic moment; it was a defining shift in the conflict between the dark side and the light.
The Rise of Supreme Leader Snoke
Following the collapse of the Galactic Empire, the First Order emerged from the remnants of Imperial rule. At its head stood Supreme Leader Snoke, a towering figure with deep scars, piercing eyes, and a sinister presence. Unlike Sith Lords who adhered to the Rule of Two, Snoke operated outside Sith traditions. The Supreme Leader wielded immense knowledge of the dark side, yet did not claim the title of Sith.
Snoke recognized Kylo Ren as the ideal warrior to lead the First Order’s future. Born as Ben Solo, the grandson of Darth Vader, Kylo possessed unmatched potential in the Force. Snoke manipulated that raw power, exploiting Ben’s fears, doubts, and anger to turn the Jedi student into a disciple of darkness. Through constant humiliation and psychological warfare, Snoke crushed Kylo Ren’s sense of identity, forcing complete loyalty.
Unlike Emperor Palpatine, Snoke did not wield a lightsaber. The Supreme Leader relied solely on the Force, demonstrating overwhelming abilities in telekinesis, mind control, and Force lightning. No adversary, not even Kylo Ren, could match Snoke in direct combat. The Supreme Leader’s overconfidence, however, would lead to a fatal mistake.
The Throne Room Confrontation
Snoke’s command of the dark side allowed for deep insight into the minds of others. Despite this, the Supreme Leader failed to foresee betrayal. When Kylo Ren captured Rey and brought her before Snoke, the Supreme Leader saw an opportunity to eliminate the Jedi threat.
In the throne room of the Supremacy, Snoke exerted complete dominance over Rey. With a mere gesture, Snoke immobilized Rey, lifted her into the air, and stripped the lightsaber from her grasp. Snoke probed her mind, mocking the Jedi’s belief in Kylo Ren’s redemption. The Supreme Leader saw only unwavering loyalty in Kylo Ren, believing the young warrior had fully submitted to the dark side.
Declaring victory, Snoke ordered Kylo Ren to strike down Rey. The Supreme Leader proclaimed that Kylo Ren would “strike his true enemy,” reveling in the final moments of the Jedi’s resistance. What Snoke failed to perceive was that Kylo Ren’s true enemy was not Rey—it was Snoke.
Snoke’s Death: The Ultimate Betrayal
As Snoke basked in his perceived victory, Kylo Ren quietly manipulated the Force to control Luke Skywalker’s reforged blue lightsaber, which rested beside Snoke’s throne. In a single instant, the blade ignited and pierced through Snoke’s side, cutting the Supreme Leader in half. The once-unstoppable dark side master collapsed to the ground, lifeless and powerless.
The betrayal was not a moment of heroism but a calculated move by Kylo Ren. Snoke’s death granted Kylo Ren total control of the First Order. No longer bound to a master, Kylo Ren declared himself Supreme Leader, assuming command over the most powerful military force in the galaxy.
As Snoke’s corpse lay divided on the throne room floor, the Elite Praetorian Guard, Snoke’s personal protectors, sprang into action. The crimson-armored warriors engaged Kylo Ren and Rey in a brutal battle. The duo fought side by side, dispatching the Praetorian Guard in one of the most intense close-combat sequences of the war.
The battle ended with Kylo Ren once again attempting to bring Rey to his side. However, Rey rejected his offer, escaping the Supremacy and leaving Kylo Ren alone to assume full control of the First Order.
The Aftermath: Kylo Ren’s Rise to Power
Snoke’s death left the First Order without its true mastermind. Though Kylo Ren claimed the title of Supreme Leader, the organization quickly fell into internal chaos. Unlike Snoke, who controlled the First Order with strategic cunning, Kylo Ren ruled through anger and brute force. The destruction of the Supremacy further weakened the First Order’s fleet, leaving the Resistance with a renewed chance to fight back.
Kylo Ren’s leadership marked a new era for the First Order. Snoke had been a calculated manipulator, but Kylo Ren was unpredictable. Without a guiding master, Kylo Ren’s emotions dictated his decisions, making the First Order both more dangerous and more vulnerable.
The Truth Behind Snoke’s Creation
With Snoke gone, the mystery surrounding the Supreme Leader deepened. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine revealed the truth—Snoke had never been a true Sith Lord or a self-made ruler. Snoke was a creation, a puppet of Darth Sidious, engineered to control the First Order.
On Exegol, Kylo Ren discovered cloning tanks filled with failed Snoke specimens. The revelation exposed Snoke’s origins as a genetic experiment, designed to carry out Palpatine’s will from the shadows. Every decision Snoke made, every command issued, had ultimately served the greater purpose of restoring Darth Sidious to power.
Snoke’s death played directly into Palpatine’s plan. By eliminating Snoke, Kylo Ren had unknowingly removed an obstacle, allowing the true Sith Lord to emerge from hiding. The Supreme Leader’s demise was not the end of darkness, but a stepping stone toward the rise of the Final Order.
Legacy of Snoke’s Death
The Supreme Leader’s downfall changed the course of the war. Snoke’s death did not bring balance but instead set the stage for the final confrontation between light and dark. Kylo Ren’s rise to power pushed the First Order into further instability, while the Resistance found new hope in Rey’s survival.
Despite being revealed as a creation of Palpatine, Snoke’s impact on the galaxy remained undeniable. Without Snoke, Kylo Ren would not have fully embraced the dark side. Without Snoke, the First Order might never have reached its full strength. The Supreme Leader’s reign was brief, but the consequences of his rule lasted until the final battle on Exegol.
Snoke death was a defining moment in Star Wars history. The Supreme Leader’s overconfidence led to betrayal, proving once again that the dark side always devours itself.
