There’s no question that the Star Wars sequel trilogy centers on one character: Rey. Yes, of course, Kylo Ren is a major factor, too, but let’s face facts. Kylo has really only existed in the films thus far to move Rey’s story further along. His mind probe helped unleash her power. Likewise, murdering his father, and Rey’s father-figure, provided a major turning point in her progression as a Force user. The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi are lead-ins to the character’s final chapter. So what’s in store for Daisy Ridley in The Rise of Skywalker?

Daisy Ridley; The Rise of Skywalker
Image: Annie Liebowtiz for Vanity Fair

Daisy Ridley was one of Star Wars: Episode IX’s prominent figures to speak with Vanity Fair for its recent cover story on the film. The story gave us tons of insight into the film. For instance, we can now confirm that the Knights of Ren will finally appear. Likewise, we got to see Richard E. Grant and learn some plot points of the film, as well.  Among those plot points was some interesting information about Ridley’s character, and her relationship with Kylo Ren.

Daisy Ridley: Rey’s Fate in The Rise of Skywalker

If Kylo Ren can’t be redeemed it will almost certainly fall to Rey to put him down, in spite of their maybe-bond…. [A] source close to the movie says that their Force-connection will turn out to run even deeper than we thought.”

Vanity Fair

That’s how the Vanity Fair article describes both Rey’s and Kylo Ren’s fates in The Rise of Skywalker. It makes sense as Rey and Kylo Ren are almost like the Force version of Yin and Yang. Or, perhaps, they’re like opposite sides of the same coin. Whatever cliché you chose, Daisy Ridley agrees. She points that out in discussing the fact that Kylo Ren had and threw away that which Rey desired and lost: a family.

I think there’s a part of Rey that’s like, dude, you fucking had it all, you had it all. That was always a big question during filming: you had it all and you let it go.”

Daisy Ridley discussing Rey and Kylo Ren.

Look How Far Rey Has Come

Daisy Ridley would go on to describe how far Rey had come, and the state of Rey’s mind, as The Rise of Skywalker opens. In doing so she referenced the teaser trailer, which we saw at Star Wars Celebration.

The Rise of Skywalker; Rey's Parentage
Rey (Daisy Ridley) in STAR WARS: EPISODE IX.

It’s nice having that shot at the beginning of the teaser, because I think it’s quite a good visual representation of where she is now: confident, calm, less fearful.… It’s still sort of overwhelming, but in a different way. It feels more right—less like inevitable and more like there’s a focus to the journey.”

We still have a long time to wait until we see where The Rise of Skywalker will take Daisy Ridley on her Star Wars journey. Two hundred and eleven days, to be precise. Not that we’re counting.

Source: Vanity Fair