Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Third film in sequel trilogy, assumes knowledge of previous episodes and original Star Wars
The brief
Abrams tries to cram about three movies worth of plot into one overstuffed finale, resulting in a breathless pace that rarely lets you process what's happening before rushing to the next MacGuffin or revelation. The film feels like it's constantly apologizing for The Last Jedi while desperately attempting to satisfy every possible fan theory, creating a scattershot experience that prioritizes callbacks over coherent storytelling. Driver and Ridley still have electric chemistry in their scenes together, but they're surrounded by so much frantic world-hopping and exposition dumps that the emotional beats get lost in the noise. Perfect for viewers who just want maximum Star Wars fan service and don't mind if it makes little sense, but skip if you prefer your space operas with actual breathing room.
The verdict
If you're a Star Wars fan who prioritizes maximum nostalgia and spectacle over narrative coherence, this overstuffed finale delivers non-stop fan service and impressive visuals. If you prefer your space operas with logical storytelling and proper pacing, the frantic plot and constant exposition dumps will likely leave you frustrated.
Watch with
- 👥 Star Wars fans craving maximum nostalgia
- ⚠️ Viewers who prefer coherent storytelling
Heads up
- Intense sci-fi battle sequences throughout (frequent)
- Character death in emotional contexts (moderate)
- Flashing lights during lightsaber duels (moderate)
Credits
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Cast
- Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels
Official synopsis
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once again as the journey of Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron continues.
The Double
Make a night of it
Pair this with Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026)
Both explore legacy and hope in the Star Wars universe.
Total runtime: 2h 22m + 2h 12m = 4h 34m
