Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Story

This final episode of Star Wars begins with the revelation that evil emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) is still alive – just. He has been amassing a vast Sith fleet and a new superweapon and, with the help of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), conquering the galaxy once and for all looks all too easy.

The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa (archive footage of Carrie Fisher), has dwindled in numbers and is no match for the Siths and the Galactic Empire. But Rey (Daisy Ridley), one of the last Jedis, is determined to stop the First Order. She must call on her Resistance friends Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) to help her fight against this latest attack.

Kylo Ren, who believes he will take over from Palpatine, is torn by his feelings for Rey and by the conflict between good and evil inside himself. He must locate a Sith Wayfinder to help him take control, but Rey and the Resistance forces are ready to do battle. They travel to Exogal, a dark and icy planet where Palpatine has been hiding, to finally confront Ren. Ren makes some surprising and difficult decisions, which ultimately help Rey in the final battle against Palpatine and his Sith Fleet.

Themes

Science fiction; fantasy and the supernatural; separation from a parent; war

Violence

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has a lot of violence. For example:

There are many fights between people, creatures and stormtroopers. The fighters use lightsabres, guns, axes, grenades and other weapons.
There are several battles between spaceships, which shoot and destroy each other. A planet is destroyed.
General Pryde supernaturally holds a man by the throat by extending his hand. He throws the man into the air using his powers.
During one battle, Chewy shoots a stormtrooper out of the sky. Stormtroopers then shoot down a Resistance spaceship and the occupants all fall to the ground.
Using her Jedi powers, Rey tries to prevent a spaceship from departing because she thinks that Chewy is in it, but Ren appears and he repels her force. The spaceship explodes.
During a battle, Poe is shot and is arrested along with Finn and Chewy. Pryde orders them to be terminated. They’re about to be shot when a spy in the First Order saves them at the last minute. Finn has to shoot the spy in the leg to make it seem as if they escaped on their own.
Pryde shoots the spy dead.
Rey and Ren fight with lightsabres on a shipwreck.
Palpatine sends out a mighty force from his fingers and has both Rey and Ren at his mercy. They both fall to the ground, then Palpatine sends Ren flying. Rey and Palpatine fight each other with their powers. Rey uses two lightsabres to increase her powers.

Sexual references

None noted.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None noted.

Nudity and sexual activity

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker shows some mild sexual activity. For example:

Rey and Ren kiss.
A same-sex couple kiss.

Product placement

None noted.

Coarse language

There is some mild, infrequent coarse language in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Ideas to discuss with your children

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is an action-packed, fast-moving science fiction adventure. There are many fights, crashes, explosions and space battles, and plenty of spectacular special effects. All of the known characters appear, including several heartwarming cameos. The movie also uses archival footage to integrate Carrie Fisher into the story.

The supernatural use of powers by both good and evil forces can be quite scary. Therefore we recommend parental guidance for children aged 10-13 years.

The main messages from this movie are that redemption is always possible and that hope is a driving force for good.

Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include bravery, courage, inner strength, teamwork, friendship, trust and loyalty. The movie also emphasises the importance of following your conscience rather than just following orders.

This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like how most people are capable of both good and evil. You can choose which path to follow.