Kylo Ren is a character who worships Darth Vader. In The Force Awakens, we see him speaking to the charred helmet of the Sith Lord and struggling with a pull to the light side of the Force. It’s clear that Kylo Ren — who is actually Ben Solo, Anakin Skywalker’s grandson — has nothing but reverence and respect for the former leader of the Galactic Empire.
But that’s because he’s been told a lie.
A Secret Lineage
When he was born, Leia and Han decided to keep the identity of Ben’s grandfather a secret from the boy. They realized he was Force-sensitive and sent him to train with Luke. They hoped that Luke would be able to channel his abilities towards good but still kept Ben in the dark about his family heritage.
When Ben rebelled against Luke and the new Jedi Order, he took the name Kylo Ren and sided with Supreme Leader Snoke and the First Order. It was then that he learned of his heritage but through the manipulative persuasion of Snoke. Kylo Ren believes that Darth Vader was a hero for trying to destroy the Jedi and that his role in the death of Emperor Palpatine was a misstep in an otherwise correct mission.
So, what’s going to happen when Kylo Ren discovers what really happened with Darth Vader? And does The Last Jedi look like it will be pointing in that direction?
“Let the past die.”
From what we’ve seen in the trailers for The Last Jedi, it looks like Kylo Ren is in great turmoil. We see a shot of him staring at his helmet — a costume piece that was made to make him more like his idol, Darth Vader — and then violent punching a wall. Another shot in the teaser shows his helmet destroyed. Could this happen because he has learned that what he’s been told about Darth Vader isn’t true? Is he destroying the thing that makes him more like a fabricated version of his grandfather?
And if Kylo Ren is going to kill his own mother like he did his father, does he learn the truth about Darth Vader after he’s done such a horrible deed? Does he find out this information from Rey? And does she learn it during her training with Luke?
The Last Jedi looks like it’s going to explore grey areas of the Star Wars universe and possibly try to find that balance we always hear about in Star Wars. Perhaps Kylo Ren and Rey both learn information that changes their worldview and that’s what brings them together. If so, it shows that the influence of Darth Vader still plays a significant role in the Star Wars universe.
We’ll find out soon when The Last Jedi opens on December 15.
