Daisy Ridley, known for her role as Rey in the Star Wars franchise, recently shared her thoughts on the fanbase’s divided reception of the final installment of the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker. While speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ridley expressed her disappointment with the divisive nature of the film. She reflected, “It’s still upsetting. You don’t want people to feel like you’ve not served the thing they’re a fan of. But [The Last Jedi] was so divisive… it felt like the first one everyone was responsive in the same way. The second, super divisive. The last one, super divisive. It didn’t change how I felt about it.”
One of the points that stirred up controversy within the Star Wars fanbase was the passionate kiss between Rey and Kylo Ren, portrayed by Adam Driver. Ridley defended the scene, stating, “I felt like we all… it felt earned. What was interesting again is intentionality. My feeling in that moment was that it was a goodbye, and that felt earned. You can call a kiss a thousand things, but I felt it was a goodbye. That whole scene felt emotional, and I felt I was saying goodbye to the job, too.”
Another divisive plot point that Ridley discussed was the change in Rey’s origins from The Last Jedi to The Rise of Skywalker. In The Last Jedi, it was revealed that Rey came from “no one.” However, in the final film, it was disclosed that she was, in fact, Emperor Palpatine’s granddaughter. Ridley elaborated, “Well, J.J. [Abrams] was the one who was like, she is of no one, so it wasn’t just The Last Jedi where that was the message. What was interesting about the last one, for me, was that you can be a hero and not come from anywhere or you can be a hero and come from literally the worst person in the universe. You’re not your parents, you’re not your grandparents, you’re not your bloodline, and you’re not the generations before you. So, I always was like, sure. But it’s beyond my pay grade. I say the words, do the thing.”
Reflecting on the divisive elements of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, it becomes evident that Daisy Ridley has a unique perspective on the matter. Despite the polarizing reactions from fans, she remains true to her own feelings about the films. Ridley’s portrayal of Rey, along with the controversial moments, has left a lasting impact on the Star Wars universe. As she prepares to return to that galaxy far, far away, it is clear that she has embraced the complexities and challenges that come with being a part of such a beloved and divided fanbase.