Kylo Ren

Born Ben Solo on Chandrila in 5 ABY, this complex figure emerges as one of the most conflicted characters in the sequel trilogy era. The son of Princess Leia Organa and smuggler Han Solo, he was sent to train under his uncle Luke Skywalker’s new Jedi Academy. However, a moment of mistrust between master and student led to the academy’s destruction and his fall to the dark side, where he adopted the name Kylo Ren.

As Supreme Leader of the First Order, he wields a distinctive crossguard lightsabre and commands through a volatile mixture of raw power and emotional instability. His connection to the light side remains strong throughout his reign of terror, creating an internal struggle that defines his character arc. Under the tutelage of Supreme Leader Snoke and later Emperor Palpatine, he becomes a formidable dark side wielder whilst never fully abandoning his connection to the Skywalker legacy.

The revelation of his Force dyad connection with Rey adds another layer to his story, as their bond transcends traditional concepts of light and dark. Adam Driver’s portrayal brings depth to a character torn between his family’s heroic legacy and his grandfather Darth Vader’s dark influence. His final act of redemption on Exegol in 35 ABY, where he sacrifices his life to save Rey, completes a journey from darkness back to light.

This fallen Jedi represents the sequel trilogy’s exploration of legacy, redemption, and the grey areas between good and evil in the Star Wars universe.