These 10 Rey Skywalker moments from the Star Wars sequel trilogy are Daisy Ridley’s very best. The sequels may have been a controversial addition to Star Wars movies and TV shows, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t without their gems. In fact, some of the Star Wars newcomers in the sequel trilogy rank among Star Wars’ best characters.
Despite the backlash, Daisy Ridley’s Rey is certainly among the sequels’ greatest characters, which only makes her upcoming Star Wars movie, rumored to be titled Star Wars: New Jedi Order, all the more exciting. Even before that new installment of Rey’s story, though, Ridley has already had some brilliant moments as Rey. These 10 represent Ridley’s (and Rey’s) best moments throughout Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
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10 Rey’s Vulnerability With Kylo Ren Was Truly Touching
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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The Force Dyad between Rey and Kylo Ren throughout the sequel trilogy (although it wasn’t identified as such until The Rise of Skywalker) was one of the most fascinating sequel trilogy concepts. While, on the one hand, this was a thrilling Force concept to introduce because of its larger implications for the franchise, it also led to incredible character development on both ends. Specifically, because Rey and Kylo Ren experienced these Force bonds through the Dyad, they developed deep empathy for one another.
This was especially true for Rey, who came to understand Kylo Ren throughout their Force bonds in The Last Jedi. In fact, the scene in The Last Jedi in which Rey confided in Kylo Ren that she had felt so alone in the terrifying mirror cave was one of Rey’s (and Daisy Ridley’s) best moments. It revealed a new level of vulnerability in Rey, and Ridley played the scene so genuinely, it was truly touching.
9 Rey’s Force Visions Revealed Her Incredible Strength In The Force
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
When Rey touched Anakin Skywalker’s iconic blue lightsaber in The Force Awakens, she was thrown through a series of memories, including Luke Skywalker seeing his Jedi Temple burn to the ground alongside R2-D2 and the Knights of Ren surrounding Kylo Ren in a terrifying scene in the rain. On the one hand, this was simply cool to see. In addition to that, though, it was a brilliant addition to the canon Force abilities in Star Wars.
This revealed how strong Rey was in the Force before she had even truly wielded a lightsaber or fully exhibited Force sensitivity.
In fact, this revealed how strong Rey was in the Force before she had even truly wielded a lightsaber or fully exhibited Force sensitivity. By merely touching the lightsaber, Rey was able to see key moments linked both to the lightsaber itself and to the family that had such a bond with it. Ultimately, this would be in keeping with the immense power Rey would possess, but at the time, it was an incredible demonstration of her nascent abilities.
8 Rey’s Lightsaber Pass Defied Space And Time
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
One of the single coolest moments in the Star Wars sequel trilogy was yet another demonstration of the power of the Force Dyad. Specifically, in The Rise of Skywalker, Rey used the Force Dyad to pass a lightsaber to Ben Solo through space itself, sending it to him from across Exegol. While the duo had already revealed incredible Force feats, together and respectively, this was truly a marvel to see.
With Rey passing the saber to Ben, he was able to fend off the Knights of Ren and rush to Rey’s side, ultimately playing a major role in her survival in her fight against Palpatine. Although Rey effectively died in this encounter, Ben (literally) clawed his way back to her, giving his life for hers in the end. While this was a heartbreaking moment, it came on the heels of one of the most brilliant Force abilities in the sequels, if not in the whole of Star Wars.
7 Rey Forgiving & Healing Kylo Ren Was True Star Wars
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
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Although Rey took on Palpatine, one of Star Wars’ most powerful Sith, in The Rise of Skywalker, the best fight in the movie was really the one between Rey and Kylo Ren on the Death Star II wreckage. In addition to some stunning flips through walls of rainwater and ocean spray, the battle saw Rey lose control and stab Kylo Ren through, in what would have certainly been a death blow. However, precisely at that moment, Leia Organa passed away, which both Rey and Kylo Ren felt.
Leia’s passing was intended to draw Ben back to the light side of the Force (which it did), but it also saved Rey. She had just stabbed Kylo Ren in anger, a moment that could have easily signaled the beginning of her path to the dark side (heightened by the very recent reveal of her Palpatine connection). Instead, after feeling Leia’s death in the Force, Rey exhibited deep compassion, healing Kylo and saving his life. This also ended up saving her own life, as Kylo Ren learned that Force ability at that moment and later used it to save Rey.
6 The Last Jedi Throne Room Battle Was Rey’s Best Fight
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
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After so much inner conflict and tension between Kylo Ren and Rey had been building up throughout The Last Jedi, the battle in Snoke’s throne room proved absolutely perfect. Despite having been on opposing sides throughout The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren and Rey fought side-by-side (and, at one point, literally back-to-back) to fend off Snoke’s guards after Kylo Ren had turned on his master, stabbing him through and killing him. While both fought valiantly, Rey’s moments were particularly brilliant.
In fact, it was during this scene that Daisy Ridley let out an almost animalistic roar before lunging at one of the guards. This truly was one of Ridley’s best moments as Rey, as it was so fierce and genuine. While there were many moments in which Ridley’s acting stood out, this is easily one of the most memorable.
5 Rey Using The Classic Jedi Mind Trick Was A Brilliant Moment
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
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The interrogation scene in The Force Awakens has been a fan-favorite since the movie debuted, particularly among those who believe this was the beginning of the ‘Reylo’ dynamic. While that scene was truly intriguing, as it revealed what Kylo Ren looked like beneath his mask and saw Rey embracing her Force abilities with Kylo, what came after was equally exciting. Specifically, when Kylo Ren left Rey in the interrogation room, she used one of the most iconic Star Wars Force abilities: the Jedi mind trick.
The Jedi mind trick was first used in A New Hope by Obi-Wan Kenobi, who famously delivered the line “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for” with a wave of his hand. Because it dates back to the very beginning of the franchise, this Force ability is a true classic. Seeing Rey tap into this ability, particularly as one of her earliest uses of the Force, was a wonderful callback.
4 Sith Rey Was One Of The Rise Of Skywalker’s Best Ideas
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
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One of The Rise of Skywalker’s best ideas was unfortunately only briefly shown on screen, but it nevertheless revealed Daisy Ridley’s impressive acting chops and a brilliant sequel trilogy concept. Specifically, in The Rise of Skywalker, Rey sees a vision of herself as a Sith. However, the dark side version of Rey was considerably more terrifying than many other dark side Force-users, as she had sharp teeth and seemed nearly non-human.
Sadly, this vision only alarmed Rey, meaning that it was never a real possibility in the sequels. However, a non-canon Star Wars show did just bring this concept back to the screen once again. In LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, Sith Rey returned, this time exhibiting much more of her dark side potential. While it’s truly a shame this concept wasn’t fleshed out more in The Rise of Skywalker, it was exciting to see this character again.
3 Rey Turning Kylo Ren’s Powers Back On Him Was Iconic
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
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As mentioned, the interrogation room scene in The Force Awakens remains a fan-favorite. However, the scene’s best moments go far beyond Kylo Ren taking off his helmet. Rather, one of Daisy Ridley’s best moments as Rey comes when she turns Kylo Ren’s mind probe power back around on him. This power had already been revealed to be brutally painful when Poe Dameron was interrogated by Kylo Ren earlier in The Force Awakens.
While Rey was clearly in pain, though, she managed to overcome the mind probe, telling Kylo Ren, “You’re afraid… that you’ll never be as strong as Darth Vader.” To say Kylo Ren was shaken by this moment would be an understatement; he physically recoiled and took a deep shuddering breath both because it proved Rey was strong in the Force and because she’d been correct. Seeing Kylo Ren so rattled by Rey was delightful, but Ridley’s delivery of the line was also absolutely perfect.
Seeing Kylo Ren so rattled by Rey was delightful, but Ridley’s delivery of the line was also absolutely perfect.
2 Rey’s Flip Over Kylo Ren’s TIE Fighter Was Her Coolest Move
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
Sadly, Rey continues to be called a ‘Mary Sue,’ a derogatory, heavily gendered term that essentially boils down to a woman who is skilled in all areas and is without flaws. While this term would be offensive regardless, it’s odd that it’s applied to Rey, whose flaws include an obsession with her parents (entirely contrary to the Jedi way) and her bouts of anger that nod toward an internal struggle with the dark side. Nevertheless, one of Rey’s best moments is often criticized as proof she is a ‘Mary Sue.’
One of Rey’s best moments is often criticized as proof she is a ‘Mary Sue.’
Specifically, in The Rise of Skywalker, Rey performed a remarkable Force flip over Kylo Ren’s TIE Fighter that was so visually stunning it was showcased in the movie’s trailer. Although many have argued this was too great a power, it was an incredible moment that felt reminiscent of the kind of Force feats seen in the prequel trilogy, such as Anakin Skywalker falling through Coruscant air traffic unscathed. While it may be controversial, this was truly one of Rey’s best moments.
1 Rey Channeling All The Jedi Was The Height Of Her Power
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker
While Palpatine’s return in The Rise of Skywalker was controversial, to say the least, it did lead to Rey’s best Star Wars moment thus far. Specifically, at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Rey needed to call upon all the Jedi who came before her to destroy Palpatine once and for all. This ended with a stunning moment of Rey channeling immense Force power and blasting it into Palpatine, essentially disintegrating him before her very eyes.
Admittedly, the Palpatine twist was a disappointment after all The Last Jedi had set up, particularly regarding Rey’s parentage. Nevertheless, it was a thrill to see Rey step into her power to this degree during this scene on Exegol. Now, Rey Skywalker will continue her story in her upcoming Star Wars movie, which will undoubtedly mean brand-new brilliant Daisy Ridley moments.
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Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens 8
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Set 30 years after Star Wars: Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens teams new heroes Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), who is now a General in the Rebel Alliance. Together they try to track down Luke Skywalker while battling the First Order, led by the villainous Kylo Ren. The Force Awakens is the first Star Wars film to be produced by Disney and was directed by JJ Abrams.
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi 8
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In the second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, General Leia Organa leads the Resistance forces against the First Order. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker struggles to come to terms with his past failures, while Rey urges him to train her in the Force and join the resistance. Culminating in a massive battle between the two armies, The Last Jedi raises the stakes of this intergalactic war, and sees the final fight of one beloved character.
- Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker 16
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This is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and serves as the culmination of the Skywalker saga. The film sees Rey (Daisy Ridley), Poe (Oscar Isaac), and Finn (John Boyega) team up to put an end to the First Order after Palpatine mysteriously returns. Jurassic World helmsman Colin Trevorrow was originally named director back in 2015 when the film first entered development, but he parted ways with Lucasfilm due to creative differences over the script. In September 2017, Star Wars: The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams signed on to finish what he started.
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens 8
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi 8
Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker 16