Released in December 2017, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the eighth mainline installment in the Skywalker Saga and the direct sequel to The Force Awakens. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film continues the new trilogy under Disney’s era of Lucasfilm, and it brought along a bold shift in tone and storytelling. The narrative picks up immediately after the events of the previous film, pushing the saga into unexpected directions.
Returning favorites such as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Kylo Ren take center stage once again, but The Last Jedi also introduces new faces like Vice-Admiral Holdo and Rose Tico. It was also the last Star Wars film featuring the late Carrie Fisher, and is dedicated to her memory.
With massive box office success and critical acclaim, the film stood tall as 2017’s highest-grossing release. Yet among fans, it sparked widespread debate—praised for its depth and daring, criticized for its subversion of tradition.
The Last Jedi – Official Trailer
What Is The Last Jedi About?
Shortly after the Resistance’s narrow escape from the destruction of Starkiller Base, General Leia Organa leads her remaining forces into space. When the First Order tracks them through hyperspace, the Resistance becomes trapped in a slow-motion chase. Pilot Poe Dameron, ignoring orders, leads a costly counterattack while the Resistance’s leadership changes hands following Leia’s incapacitation.
Meanwhile, Rey journeys to Ahch-To in search of the reclusive Luke Skywalker. However, Luke refuses to rejoin the fight, blaming the Jedi for the galaxy’s suffering. Through visions and training, Rey begins to unravel the past between Luke and his former apprentice, Kylo Ren—born Ben Solo. She believes Kylo can still be redeemed, setting up a clash of destiny.
Elsewhere, Finn, Rose, and BB-8 travel to the extravagant casino city of Canto Bight in hopes of recruiting a hacker to disable the First Order’s tracking system. Though they return with a codebreaker named DJ, their mission ultimately fails and leads to betrayal.
The story crescendos as Supreme Leader Snoke is struck down by Kylo Ren, who seizes control of the First Order. Luke reappears—seemingly in person—on the salt-covered plains of Crait to face Kylo. In a Force-projected illusion, he buys time for the Resistance’s final escape. Exhausted by the effort, Luke passes peacefully into the Force.
The film ends with a message of hope. A stable boy on Canto Bight uses the Force to pull a broom toward him, looking up to the stars—a quiet reminder that the Force lives on beyond bloodlines and legends.
Is The Last Jedi Worth Watching?
Absolutely—but prepare for surprises. Unlike most Star Wars entries, The Last Jedi takes bold narrative risks. It deconstructs the myth of the Jedi, presents its heroes and villains with emotional nuance, and subverts audience expectations on multiple fronts.
While many viewers appreciated the philosophical depth and powerful visuals, others were left polarized by the film’s choices—particularly in its portrayal of Luke Skywalker and the treatment of legacy characters. Still, The Last Jedi is undeniably a visual and thematic spectacle that pushes Star Wars into new territory.
For anyone interested in the deeper moral questions of the galaxy—failure, redemption, and the fallibility of heroes—this installment stands as one of the franchise’s most daring.
Watch Order
To properly enjoy The Last Jedi, here’s how it fits into the saga:
Chronological Skywalker Saga Order:
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- Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- Episode IV – A New Hope
- Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
Expanded Timeline (with Shows and Anthology Films):
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- Episode I – The Phantom Menace
- Episode II – Attack of the Clones
- The Clone Wars (Series)
- Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
- The Bad Batch
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Rebels
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Andor
- Episode IV – A New Hope
- Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
- Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
- The Mandalorian
- The Book of Boba Fett
- Ahsoka
- Episode VII – The Force Awakens
- Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker
- Resistance
The Last Jedi Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Last Jedi controversial among fans?
The film subverted several long-standing Star Wars traditions, particularly regarding Luke’s role and the myth of the Jedi. It also discarded many fan theories built up after The Force Awakens, which upset portions of the fanbase.
Did audiences enjoy the film despite the criticism?
Yes. While divisive online, general audiences gave it strong ratings in scientific polls. CinemaScore reported an “A” grade, and audience positivity remained high in formal research.
What happened to Luke Skywalker?
Luke projected his presence across the galaxy to save the Resistance, a powerful act that cost him his life. He becomes one with the Force, mirroring the fate of Obi-Wan and Yoda.
Is Carrie Fisher in The Last Jedi?
Yes. This was Carrie Fisher’s final full performance as Leia Organa before her passing. The film is dedicated to her.
Does this film continue directly after The Force Awakens?
Yes. The Last Jedi is the only Star Wars film to begin immediately after the events of its predecessor, making it a direct continuation of Rey and the Resistance’s journey.
Conclusion
Star Wars: The Last Jedi challenges viewers to look at the galaxy with new eyes. Rather than offering a safe and nostalgic continuation, it forces its characters—and its audience—to confront failure, doubt, and what it really means to be a hero. Its bold choices helped evolve Star Wars into something more complex and introspective, even if not universally beloved.
Whether you see it as a masterpiece or a misstep, The Last Jedi remains one of the most thought-provoking and visually striking entries in the franchise. It sets the stage for the final act of the Skywalker saga while ensuring that the story of the Force will continue long after its legendary heroes fade.
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