Rey, a solitary scavenger from Jakku, rises to become the last Jedi, discovering her Force sensitivity, training under Luke and Leia, and confronting her dark lineage as Palpatine’s granddaughter. By forging her own yellow lightsaber and taking the Skywalker name, she redefines the Jedi legacy and becomes a beacon of hope for a new era.
Rey’s story begins in isolation—an orphaned scavenger on the desolate sands of Jakku, sifting through the bones of fallen starships long after the Empire’s defeat.
Her name is first uttered in Episode VII: The Force Awakens, but her true significance echoes through every corner of the Skywalker saga. In the eyes of many Star Wars fans, she emerges as the unexpected center of the sequel trilogy—a character shaped not by legacy but by grit, instinct, and a mysterious connection to the Force.
As Rey’s path unfolds, her destiny becomes intertwined with legends like Luke Skywalker, Kylo Ren, and Leia Organa, placing her at the heart of a conflict that spans generations. With Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber calling to her and her force and lightsaber training training guided by two Jedi Masters, Rey embodies both the spirit of the old Jedi Order and the promise of a new Jedi Order.
Yet beneath her rise lies a buried truth—that she is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, a name that recalls the shadow of Darth Sidious and the downfall of countless Jedi.
Through the vision of creators like J.J. Abrams and actors such as Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, Rey’s evolution from orphan to Rey Skywalker is not just a turning point in a Star Wars story, but a defining answer to the question: Who is Rey in Star Wars?
Rey’s early life is defined by hardship and isolation on the desert planet Jakku.
She survives by scavenging parts from the wreckage of starships, trading them for meager rations in the shadow of the fallen Empire. Despite her harsh environment, Rey displays remarkable resilience and self-reliance, skills honed by years of fending for herself in a lawless wasteland.
Her resourcefulness and determination are evident from the outset, setting her apart even before her Force sensitivity is revealed.
Emotionally, Rey is anchored by a deep longing for her parents, whom she believes will one day return for her. This hope sustains her through years of solitude, shaping her worldview and fueling her desire for belonging.
Subtle hints throughout her early story—her affinity for old Rebel helmets, her intuitive piloting skills, and her uncanny instincts—foreshadow her latent connection to the Force and her importance in the galaxy’s unfolding saga.
Rey’s latent Force sensitivity comes to the forefront in The Force Awakens, most notably during her encounter with Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber in Maz Kanata’s castle.
The saber triggers a powerful vision, connecting her to pivotal moments in Jedi history and awakening her own abilities. This moment marks a turning point, as Rey begins to realize she is part of something much larger than herself—a legacy of power, responsibility, and danger.
Despite having no formal training, Rey’s connection to the Force grows rapidly.
She instinctively resists Kylo Ren’s mind probe, demonstrating surprising strength and clarity. In their first confrontation, Rey not only holds her own but manages to defeat him in a lightsaber duel, a feat that shocks both her and her adversaries.
Her natural affinity for the Force, coupled with her determination, sets her on a path toward becoming a Jedi, even as she struggles to understand the true extent of her powers.
Rey’s acquisition of the Skywalker lightsaber—once wielded by Anakin and Luke—cements her link to the Jedi’s storied past.
The saber’s call to her in Maz Kanata’s castle is more than a plot device; it symbolizes the Force’s recognition of her potential and her place in the ongoing struggle between light and dark.
The weapon becomes both a tool and a burden, representing the weight of history and the expectations that come with it.
This connection to the Skywalker legacy raises questions about heritage and destiny. Rey, not born into the Skywalker bloodline, is nonetheless chosen by the Force and the saber itself.
Her journey explores the tension between inherited legacy and personal choice, ultimately suggesting that being a Skywalker is as much about spirit and conviction as it is about blood. Rey’s relationship with the saber underscores her role as a spiritual heir to the Jedi, carrying their hopes into an uncertain future.
Rey’s quest for guidance leads her to Ahch-To, where she seeks out Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi Master. Luke’s initial reluctance and rejection of the old Jedi dogma challenge Rey to question what it truly means to be a Jedi.
Their interactions are fraught with tension, as Rey pushes Luke to confront his own failures while striving to learn from his wisdom. Through this mentorship, Rey gains a deeper understanding of the Force and the burdens of leadership.
After Luke’s passing, Leia Organa becomes Rey’s mentor, offering both emotional support and practical training. Leia’s guidance in The Rise of Skywalker is crucial as Rey faces mounting threats and internal conflict.
The mentorship from both Skywalker siblings helps Rey persevere through adversity, teaching her resilience, compassion, and the importance of forging her own path. These relationships are central to Rey’s growth, shaping her into a Jedi capable of facing the galaxy’s greatest darkness.
The revelation that Rey is the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine is a seismic shift in her story. This truth forces Rey to confront the darkness within herself and the fear that she is destined to repeat her ancestor’s evil.
The internal battle between her light and dark impulses becomes the defining struggle of her journey, as she grapples with questions of identity, legacy, and self-worth.
Rather than succumbing to her lineage, Rey chooses to reject Palpatine’s legacy, asserting her autonomy and moral agency.
Her decision to embrace the light, despite her ancestry, is a powerful statement about the nature of destiny and choice in Star Wars. Rey’s ultimate victory is not just over Palpatine, but over the fear that her blood determines her fate. In forging her own path, she redefines what it means to be a Jedi and a hero.
Throughout her journey, Rey wields the Skywalker saber and, briefly, Leia’s lightsaber, each representing a connection to the Jedi who came before her.
The symbolic burial of these sabers on Tatooine at the end of The Rise of Skywalker serves as both a tribute to the past and a declaration of a new era. By laying these weapons to rest, Rey honors the legacy of Anakin, Luke, and Leia, while signaling her readiness to chart her own course.
Rey’s creation of her own yellow-bladed lightsaber from her staff is a defining moment of self-actualization.
The yellow blade, historically associated with Jedi Sentinels, symbolizes balance, vigilance, and a new beginning. By forging a weapon unique to her, Rey asserts her independence and her vision for the Jedi’s future.
This act marks the culmination of her journey from scavenger to Jedi, embodying the hope and renewal she brings to the galaxy.
Rey’s combat style is rooted in her years of wielding a staff on Jakku, giving her a distinctive approach to lightsaber dueling.
Her movements are agile, adaptive, and often unorthodox, blending staff techniques with traditional Jedi forms. It’s likely that she gravitates toward Form VI (Niman), known for its versatility and integration of Force abilities, reflecting her adaptability in battle and her creative use of the Force.
Her Force powers are both impressive and unique.
Rey demonstrates advanced telekinesis, mind trick abilities, and, most notably, the power to heal wounds—a rare skill among Jedi. Her Force connection with Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) manifests as a dyad, allowing them to communicate and even transfer physical objects across vast distances.
These abilities set Rey apart, underscoring her exceptional potential and the evolving nature of the Force in the new era.
In the aftermath of her victory over Palpatine, Rey chooses to adopt the Skywalker name, a symbolic act that encapsulates her journey.
Despite her Palpatine blood, she identifies with the values, courage, and compassion embodied by Luke and Leia. By taking their name, Rey honors the family that gave her purpose and belonging, while also signaling a new chapter for the Jedi Order.
Rey’s embrace of the Skywalker legacy is about more than heritage—it’s about hope, unity, and the rebirth of the Jedi.
She stands as a bridge between the past and the future, carrying forward the lessons of those who came before while forging a new path. Her story is a testament to the power of choice and the enduring spirit of the Jedi, inspiring others to rise above their origins and shape their own destinies.
Rey has become a powerful symbol of self-discovery and chosen identity, resonating with fans who see in her the possibility of overcoming adversity and forging one’s own path.
Her journey inspires a new generation of Star Wars enthusiasts, many of whom connect deeply with her struggles and triumphs. Rey’s presence in the saga has sparked renewed interest in the Jedi and expanded the franchise’s appeal to a broader audience.
Beyond the films, Rey’s impact is evident in merchandising, cosplay, and fan art, cementing her place in pop culture.
Speculation about her future—whether in new stories, novels, or spin-offs—remains high, reflecting her enduring popularity. Rey’s legacy is not just as a character, but as a cultural icon who continues to shape the Star Wars community and inspire fans around the world.
By the end of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, Rey’s transformation is complete.
No longer just a survivor of Jakku or a vessel of Palpatine’s bloodline, she becomes Rey Skywalker—a name she chooses not by heritage, but by heart. Her lightsaber, forged from the remnants of her old staff, glows with a golden blade, signaling the dawn of something new.
Having trained under both Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, Rey carries forward the will of the Jedi Order while reshaping it in her image. Her connection to Kylo Ren—Ben Solo—culminates in a bond of light, sacrifice, and redemption, bridging the old conflicts that began with Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader. As fans look ahead to the future of Star Wars, Rey stands as the torchbearer of the Jedi legacy in a galaxy forever changed.
Her rise across the sequel trilogy reaffirms a timeless truth in the Force: that one’s lineage does not define one’s fate. Whether you discovered her through the Star Wars movies, through LEGO Star Wars, Star Wars Battlefront II, or through the eyes of a new generation, Rey’s journey—like the lightsabers she wields—is a beacon of courage, choice, and renewal.
In a galaxy shaped by the tragedies of the Clone Wars, the trials of the Empire Strikes Back, and the fall of the Death Star, Rey’s story reminds us why Star Wars endures. She is a Jedi, a Skywalker, and a symbol of hope in a universe still healing.
