Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 152 min · English
Echo score 77
JustWatch #6,943 17
Directed by
Rian Johnson
Starring
Mark Hamill, Benicio Del Toro, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Oscar Isaac
Budget
$317M

In a galaxy consumed by war, Luke Skywalker’s self-imposed exile is disrupted by Rey, a young woman with a powerful connection to the Force. Seeking his wisdom, Rey travels to find the legendary Jedi Master, who grapples with his past failures and a crucial decision that will shape their future. Simultaneously, Kylo Ren and General Hux command the First Order in a relentless attack against Leia’s struggling Resistance, escalating the conflict across the galaxy.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (5)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

Where can you watch Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Disney Plus, Hulu and Amazon Video: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

5 main characters · contains spoilers

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Luke Skywalker

    played by Mark Hamill

    Luke embodies the complexities of heroism, grappling with his past failures and doubts about his legacy as a Jedi. He initially retreats from his role but ultimately returns to inspire hope in the Resistance. His character arc signifies acceptance and the importance of belief in oneself.

    • 🦸‍♂️ Hero
    • 🌌 Jedi
    • 🧙‍♂️ Mentor
  • Leia Organa

    played by Carrie Fisher

    Leia is a disciplined leader of the Resistance, marked by her strength, resilience, and deep commitment to the fight against the First Order. She faces immense challenges with grace and bravery, showcasing her unwavering determination to protect her allies and maintain hope amidst despair.

    • 👸 Leader
    • 💪 Resilience
    • 🌌 Rebel
  • Kylo Ren

    played by Adam Driver

    Kylo Ren is a conflicted character caught between the allure of darkness and the remnants of his former self. His journey is marked by turmoil, as he struggles with his legacy, familial ties, and desire for power, making him one of the series' most compelling antagonists.

    • 🖤 Villain
    • ⚔️ Conflict
    • 🌌 Dark Side
  • Rey

    played by Daisy Ridley

    Rey is a determined character seeking to understand her identity and connection to the Force. Her journey reflects growth, resilience, and the struggle against the darkness as she strives to become the hero the galaxy needs. She represents hope, bravery, and the potential for greatness.

    • 🌟 Heroine
    • 🌌 Jedi
    • 💪 Strong
  • Finn

    played by John Boyega

    Finn transitions from a former stormtrooper to a valiant ally of the Resistance. His character development showcases themes of identity and bravery as he learns to embrace his role in the fight for freedom, reflecting the journey from confusion to purpose.

    • ⚔️ Rebel
    • 💓 Loyalty
    • 🌌 Redemption

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:02

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi Take Place?

The setting of Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The movie is set during a tumultuous period in the galaxy, marked by the resurgence of the First Order and the Resistance's desperate fight for survival. This era witnesses a struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force, influencing countless lives across the galaxy.

Location

Ahch-To, Canto Bight, Crait

Ahch-To is a remote planet known for its beautiful islands and as the sacred home of the Jedi. Canto Bight is a luxurious casino city that illustrates the extravagance and moral decay of the galaxy's elite. Crait, with its stark white salt flats and scarlet layers beneath, serves as a battlefield where the Resistance faces the First Order.

  • 🌌 Galaxy
  • 🏙️ City
  • 🏞️ Planet

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:02

Was this helpful?

3 major themes

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Conflict

    The film explores the ongoing conflict between the Resistance and the oppressive First Order. Characters grapple with personal and external battles, challenging their beliefs and loyalties as they confront their past decisions. This theme underscores the fight for freedom and the cost of war.

  • Redemption

    Redemption plays a crucial role, particularly in Kylo Ren’s character journey, as he struggles between his dark legacy and the possibility of returning to the light. Rey also seeks to redeem the legacy of the Jedi while forging her path. The theme resonates through sacrifice and the hope for a better future.

  • Hope

    Amidst despair, the film emphasizes hope as a driving force for the Resistance. The legacy of Luke Skywalker inspires those fighting against tyranny, demonstrating that even in dark times, belief in a brighter tomorrow can spark change. The film concludes with the promise of new beginnings for future generations.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:02

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Luke Skywalker hiding in The Last Jedi?

Luke Skywalker is hiding on the remote planet Ahch-To, a secluded island world that served as the sacred home of the original Jedi Order. He lives in self-imposed exile after experiencing a moment of weakness that led to the destruction of his new Jedi order, retreating from the galaxy far from the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order.

  • luke skywalker
  • ahch-to
  • jedi
  • exile
  • island planet
Q2

What is Canto Bight in The Last Jedi?

Canto Bight is a luxurious casino city located on the planet Cantonica, known for its extravagant nightlife and opulent venues. The city represents the moral decay and corruption of the galaxy's elite, who profit from war while ignoring the suffering of the galaxy. Finn and Rose visit this location on a secret mission to find a codebreaker.

  • canto bight
  • casino
  • cantonica
  • finn
  • rose
  • codebreaker
Q3

Where does the Resistance make their final stand in The Last Jedi?

The Resistance makes its final stand on the mineral planet Crait, a desolate world known for its striking white salt flats that reveal scarlet red layers beneath the surface. The salt-covered battlefield becomes the site of a desperate last stand against the First Order's forces, culminating in Luke Skywalker's legendary confrontation with Kylo Ren.

  • crait
  • salt flats
  • resistance
  • first order
  • luke skywalker
  • battle
Q4

When is The Last Jedi set in the Star Wars timeline?

The Last Jedi is set shortly after The Force Awakens, during a turbulent era where the First Order has emerged as a powerful military force following the fall of the Empire. This period marks an escalated phase of the ongoing conflict between the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, and the First Order led by Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren.

  • timeline
  • era
  • first order
  • resistance
  • galaxy war
Q5

What are the main themes in The Last Jedi?

The Last Jedi explores several interconnected themes including conflict between the Resistance and the oppressive First Order, redemption as seen in Kylo Ren's struggle between light and dark, and hope as a driving force that inspires the galaxy. The film emphasizes that failure is part of the journey, that legends can inspire future generations, and that even small acts can spark meaningful change.

  • themes
  • conflict
  • redemption
  • hope
  • failure
  • legend
Q6

Who is Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi?

Kylo Ren is the conflicted Supreme Leader of the First Order, torn between his dark path as Ben Solo and the remnants of his former life. He struggles with his legacy as Han Solo's son and Luke Skywalker's former student, grappling with his identity and the pull toward both darkness and light throughout the film.

  • kylo ren
  • ben solo
  • first order
  • sith
  • villain
Q7

Who is Rey in The Last Jedi?

Rey is a young woman with a powerful connection to the Force who travels to Ahch-To seeking guidance from Luke Skywalker. She represents hope and resilience as she struggles to understand her identity and her place in the galaxy's ongoing conflict. Her journey involves confronting darkness and deciding whether to embrace her destiny as a Jedi.

  • rey
  • force
  • jedi
  • protagonist
  • hope
  • skywalker
Q8

Who is Finn in The Last Jedi?

Finn is a former stormtrooper who has defected from the First Order to join the Resistance. In The Last Jedi, his character arc focuses on discovering true courage and purpose beyond his personal survival instincts, as he undertakes a dangerous mission with Rose Tico and ultimately chooses to fight for something greater than himself.

  • finn
  • stormtrooper
  • first order
  • resistance
  • rose tico
  • bravery
Q9

What does the Resistance fight for in The Last Jedi?

The Resistance fights for freedom and democracy in the galaxy against the tyranny of the First Order. Led by General Leia Organa, they represent the last hope for democracy and peace after the fall of the New Republic. Their struggle embodies the cost of war and the belief that even a small group can spark change against impossible odds.

  • resistance
  • freedom
  • first order
  • leia organa
  • democracy
  • war
Q10

Why does Luke Skywalker's legacy matter in The Last Jedi?

Luke Skywalker's legacy serves as both a burden and an inspiration throughout The Last Jedi. After failing to rebuild the Jedi Order, he retreats in shame, but his legend lives on and inspires the galaxy. His ultimate sacrifice to save the Resistance cements his status as a legend whose actions remind others that hope can triumph over despair.

  • luke skywalker
  • legend
  • jedi
  • legacy
  • hope
  • sacrifice
Q11

What is the Force bond between Rey and Kylo Ren?

The Force bond is a mysterious Force connection that allows Rey and Kylo Ren to see and communicate with each other across vast distances. This bond develops throughout The Last Jedi, creating a psychological subplot that explores their connection and influences their choices. It represents the tension between light and dark and the possibility of redemption.

  • force bond
  • rey
  • kylo ren
  • connection
  • force
  • snoke

Movie threads

More Movies Like Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Grand Space Epics with Heavy Emotional Stakes like in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Sweeping galactic conflicts where personal sacrifices shape the fate of worlds. For viewers who enjoyed the balance of massive space battles and deep character conflict in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This list features movies like it—epic sci-fi adventures where the fate of the galaxy is tied to powerful, emotionally charged personal journeys, sacrifices, and the struggle between hope and despair.

  • epic
  • heroic
  • tense
  • somber
  • hopeful
  • tragic
  • Tone: tense, bittersweet, heroic
  • Pacing: fast, high-stakes
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a large-scale conflict, often a rebellion or war against a powerful force, intercut with intimate character arcs focused on failure, redemption, and sacrifice. The plot structure often involves a desperate chase or last stand, punctuated by moments of profound character revelation that elevate the stakes beyond mere physical survival.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their shared ability to merge the spectacle of interstellar conflict with the weight of human emotion. They consistently feature a tense, fast-paced narrative, a bittersweet tone where victories are costly, and a thematic focus on the burden of legend and the spark of hope against overwhelming odds.

Stories of Legacy and the Burden of Heroes like in Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Where legendary figures grapple with their past and the weight of expectation. If you were captivated by Luke Skywalker's struggle with his myth in The Last Jedi, explore these movies. They feature similar themes of legendary figures wrestling with their past, the weight of their legacy, and reluctant mentors who must guide a new generation while confronting their own failings.

  • somber
  • conflicted
  • introspective
  • hopeful
  • tragic
  • mentorship
  • Tone: somber, conflicted, introspective
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a revered but fallen hero in isolation, confronted by a hopeful newcomer. This forces a re-examination of past trauma and dogma. The story deconstructs the myth of the perfect hero, exploring the complex reality of failure and the challenging process of passing wisdom—flawed as it may be—to those who follow.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their deep dive into the psychology of heroism and mentorship. They share a somber and conflicted mood, a thematic focus on the gap between legend and reality, and character arcs centered on accepting failure and determining what part of a legacy is worth preserving.

If you liked this

Movies Like Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

Similar movies to Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) Explained: Plot, Ending, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning, the ending explained and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app