Daisy Ridley's Perspective on Rey's Revelation in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Discover Daisy Ridley's refreshing take on Rey's significant revelation in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, offering fans a new perspective on the much-criticized film Unveiling key insights that challenge the narrative's detractors
Article Key Points
Despite the divisive reactions to The Rise of Skywalker, the movie introduced new aspects to the franchise, including the revelation that Rey is Emperor Palpatine's descendant.
Daisy Ridley, the actress who plays the main role in the film, holds the belief that Rey's status as a hero is not determined by her family background, but rather by her personal qualities and decisions. This perspective is highly commendable.
To steer clear of the negativity surrounding Star Wars fans, Ridley consciously refrained from reading or actively participating in social media. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that some of the criticism she received may have been influenced by her gender, even if she wasn't fully aware of it.
The Rise of Skywalker, despite being one of the most divisive Star Wars media like the Star Wars Holiday Special, introduced several new elements to the franchise that have gained popularity. One of these was a shocking revelation, comparable to discovering Mysterio as the antagonist in Spider-Man: Far From Home. However, it leaves us wondering about Daisy Ridley's perspective on this development.
It is widely acknowledged that The Rise of Skywalker failed due to the excessive influence of a vocal group of fans. The Last Jedi, its predecessor, is often regarded as some of the finest material in the Star Wars series. Nevertheless, a minority of dissenting voices managed to shape the sequel, resulting in a film that satisfied few. Among the criticized aspects was the revelation that Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, is actually the descendant of Emperor Palpatine. Setting aside the synchronized eye rolls this moment triggered worldwide, what did Ridley herself think about it?
In January, Ridley shared her thoughts on the topic with Rolling Stone. Leading up to The Rise of Skywalker, fans had been speculating for years about Rey's identity and whether she had any familial connections to beloved characters. However, The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, emphasized the idea that anyone can become a Jedi, regardless of their bloodline or heritage. Unfortunately, this film received a negative response from some, which may have influenced J.J. Abrams, the director of The Rise of Skywalker, to not fully embrace its ideas. Nevertheless, some aspects of Abrams' philosophy remained, at least from Ridley's perspective.
"What I found fascinating about the previous installment was the notion that you can be a hero regardless of your origins. Whether you come from an insignificant background or have the most infamous lineage imaginable, it doesn't define you. You are not limited by your parents, grandparents, bloodline, or the past generations."
The Rise of Skywalker disregarded a brilliant opportunity for a sequel that was set up by The Last Jedi, resulting in the disappointment of many fans who had enjoyed the previous installment. Although some fans still consider Rey's lineage reveal as unoriginal, Ridley's portrayal of this plot element is commendable. The point isn't that Rey is powerful because she is a Palpatine; rather, it is that she remains a good person despite her association with the Palpatine lineage. The fact that she could potentially be related to one of the most infamously evil individuals in history and still emerge as a hero is truly something to be admired.
Ridley managed to avoid much of the negativity directed towards her and the movie, giving her a fresh perspective on the matter. "Interestingly, I don't follow online discussions or read about myself, so I wasn't exposed to the toxic comments. However, random people on the street were more than willing to share their opinions with me, but I chose to ignore them. It's fascinating that, regardless of whether I personally liked a film or not, I would never approach someone and say, 'I hated your film.' That's just not how I treat people. Perhaps there was more gender bias involved than I initially realized."
While valid criticisms exist, such as The Rise of Skywalker's reduction of Kelly Marie Tran's role due to unwarranted hate towards her character, Rose Tico, in The Last Jedi, there are still positive aspects that deserve recognition amidst the flaws. One of those is Ridley's perspective on Rey's revelation. It's a valuable lesson to remember that very few, if any, pieces of media are completely devoid of merit and praise.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is available on Disney Plus.
Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker
After learning that the malevolent Emperor Palpatine survived Darth Vader's attack, the rebels must urgently uncover his location. Finn and Poe spearhead the Resistance's mission to thwart the First Order's ambition of establishing a fresh Empire, while Rey prepares herself for the inevitable clash with Kylo Ren.
Editor's P/S
Daisy Ridley's perspective on Rey's revelation in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is refreshing and insightful. She focuses on Rey's personal qualities and decisions rather than her family background, which is a commendable approach.
Daisy Ridley's perspective on Rey's revelation in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a refreshing take on the controversial film. Ridley's belief that Rey's status as a hero is not determined by her family background, but rather by her personal qualities and decisions, is a powerful message that challenges the narrative's detractors.
Despite the divisive reactions to The Rise of Skywalker, Ridley's portrayal of Rey as a hero who overcomes her dark lineage is a testament to her acting skills and the character's enduring appeal.
