Summary
TheStar Warssaga is filled with some of the most compelling characters in science fiction and often gives them highly memorable endings, but not all are equally satisfying. Compelling character arcs elevate expectations for how their story will end, which can lead to incredible resolutions or deeply disappointing ones. Even if the general idea behind a character ending is good, it can be ruined by poor storytelling choices and uninspired execution. However, whenStar Warsgets a character ending right, it makes the overarching story even more satisfying.
BecauseStar Warsis such a massive franchise that constantly tells new stories, it is inevitably revealed how most of the characters die, meaning many of the most memorable character endings involve death. Alternatively, not every character’s fate has been revealed, so some character arcs conclude in a meaningful way without them having to die. Across the official canon and the originalStar WarsExpanded Universe, now known as Legends, 5 endings offered the most satisfying resolution to their characters, while 5 others became the most disappointing the franchise has to offer.
Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows
What’s the best way to watch Star Wars? Here’s everything you need to know to watch in release or timeline order, and how to include the TV shows.
Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
Many fans regard Kylo Ren as one of the bestStar Warssequel trilogy characters, but the end of his story left something to be desired.Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalkerchose to have Ben Solo’s death mirror Darth Vader’s sacrificeinReturn of the Jedi, and while their stories were always similar, this leaves Ben’s ending feeling like a hollow imitation of the original. It doesn’t help that the movie features two fake-out deaths for Ben, another fake-out of him being alive, and finally having him die without saying a single word to Rey.
The sequels had a chance to differentiate Ben’s story from Anakin Skywalker’sand explore new possibilities.Star Wars: The Last Jedialready paralleledReturn of the Jediby having Kylo Ren team up with Rey, only for him to commit to the dark side.The Rise of Skywalkercould have kept him the main villain or had him turn back to the light but survive and spend the rest of his life atoning for his actions. It isn’t all bad, but the last movie of the Skywalker Saga needed a better conclusion for one of its best characters.
9Anakin Solo (Legends)
Most satisfying
Meanwhile, theStar WarsLegends timeline featured a much more satisfying heroic sendoff for the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa.Anakin Solo was the younger brother of Jaina Solo and Jacen Solo, but unlike his brother, Anakin believed in using the Force to play an active role in the galaxy. Unfortunately, Anakin carried a terrible burden, as he was forced to leave Chewbacca to die to save others at the beginning of the Yuuzhan Vong War. This created a rift between Anakin and his father, and he spent the next few years trying to redeem himself.
This created a compelling character for Anakin throughout theStar Wars: The New Jedi Orderbook series and made his final sacrifice feel like a fitting end to his story. Whereas Chewbacca gave up his life to save Anakin at the start of the war,Anakin gave up his life to save his siblings and friends, ensuring their mission would succeed and saving the Jedi Order. As tragic as Anakin’s death was, he died fighting a swarm of Yuuzhan Vong warriors, letting the Force flow through him and shining as the ultimate embodiment of the light side.
Padmé Amidala
Padmé Amidala’s death inStar Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sithis one of the most infamous deaths in the franchise, and it’s easy to see why.The film offers little to no explanation for why Padmé died, with a medical droid claiming that she lost the will to live, making it seem as though she died of a broken heart. This isn’t an entirely fair analysis, as the droid itself admitted that she was dying for reasons they couldn’t explain, and she clearly wanted to raise her children. Her last words affirmed her belief that there was still good in Anakin, hardly the mindset of someone who has given up.
It’s possible that the bond between Anakin and Padmé through the Force contributed to her death, but the movie doesn’t do enough to make this clear.It’s also disappointing that Padmé spends most of the film just being pregnant and comforting Anakinafter being a Queen, Senator, and fighter throughout the first two movies. Most of her storyline about working with other Senators to lay the foundation of the Rebel Alliance was cut from the final film, making the end of her story in theStar Warsprequel trilogysomewhat underwhelming.
Finn
Star Warsis a dramatic space opera spanning countless generations, so the most memorable character endings usually involve death. However, becauseThe Rise of Skywalkeris currently the end of Finn’s story, he is a notable exception to this pattern.It’s no secret that much of Finn’s potential was wasted in the sequel trilogy, especially toward the end. The first movie set up a brilliant character arc for Finn and kept him on mostly equal footing with Rey, only for the second film to abandon the idea that he could be Force-sensitive and give him a repetitive, underwhelming storyline.
The final film was the worst offender, making Finn feel more like a supporting character until closer to the end. However,Finn’s overall character development throughout the trilogy is still incredible, going from a deserting stormtrooper with no desire to get involved to a Resistance general protecting his new family. The final scene with Finn embracing Rey and Poe is a beautiful moment, conveying his relief at not having lost the friends he never could have imagined he would gain. The road to that moment may have been bumpy, but it’s a satisfying ending nonetheless.
Luke Skywalker
The conclusion of Luke Skywalker’s hero’s journey in the originalStar Warstrilogy may be one of the greatest character endings of all time, but the same can not be said for his treatment in the sequel trilogy.Return of the Jediends with Luke becoming a true Jedi, ready to embrace a future of hope for the Order as he celebrates with friends.The Force Awakensimmediately undercuts this by revealing thatLuke’s New Jedi Order was already destroyed between filmsand that he walked away from everything instead of helping his family when they needed him most.
The Last Jedidoubles down on this by making Luke feel like a completely different character, with only a few flashbacks and bits of exposition to explain this change. The ending gives him one last heroic stand and a powerful scene where he becomes one with the Force, but this doesn’t feel entirely appropriate after both movies stressed how important he was. His death means he has little to do inThe Rise of Skywalker, and like Kylo Ren’s parallels to Darth Vader,Luke’s role mostly feels like a hollow repetition of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s scene inReturn of the Jedi.
Luke Skywalker’s story was very different in theStar WarsLegends timeline, where he successfully rebuilt the Jedi Order and even started a family.
Kanan Jarrus
Few deaths in theStar Warsfranchise feel as heartbreaking as Kanan Jarrus' in the final season ofStar Wars Rebels, yet few are as powerful an ending for their respective characters. Viewers spent four seasons connecting to Kanan and seeing him grow as a Jedi by mentoring Ezra Bridger as his Padawan. Every member of theGhostcrew loved Kanan and connected with him differently, giving each one a reason to be devastated by his death. This makes it appropriate thatKanan died saving his friends and the woman he loved, Hera Syndulla, from a terrible explosion.
Kanan’s death is more impactful because he saw through the Force that it would happenbut prioritized his friends and the Rebellion over his own life. He begins the series haunted by the death of his master after she saved him and told him to run, so having him die by protecting his own student brings his story full circle. While manyStar Warsstories allow Jedi to see their masters as Force ghosts,Rebelsaffirms a few episodes that Kanan’s spirit has moved on, making his ending one of the most emotional in the entireStar Warssaga.
4Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus (Legends)
Least satisfying
Almost 10 years before theStar Warssequel trilogy introduced Kylo Ren, the Legends timeline had another Solo child fall to the dark side.Jacen Solo turned his back on the Jedi in theStar Wars: Legacy of the Forceseriesand became a brutal Sith Lord called Darth Caedus, committing horrible atrocities and betraying his family. He became a tyrannical military leader, attempted to turn Ben Skywalker to the dark side, and even killed his aunt, Mara Jade Skywalker. This was especially heartbreaking for readers who spent nearly 15 years following Jacen’s life story through several books and comics.
While the story itself had potential, the execution was a bit messy at times, and the ending was disappointing. Ben Solo fully returned to the light and had a chance to redeem himself before his death, but Jacen did not have the same opportunity, leading to him being slain by his own sister.Jacen’s family believed he returned to the light in his last moments, but even Darth Vader had more redemption than he did. SubsequentStar Warsstories doubled down on Jacen’s fall by having his spirit try to justify his actions, making his unsatisfying demise even worse.
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of the first majorStar Warscharacters to die, and his ending is still one of the franchise’s most satisfying after almost 50 years. Although his death at Darth Vader’s hands is portrayed as tragic, especially for Luke Skywalker,Obi-Wan meets his end with a smile and complete confidence that he will become one with the Force. He knows that Luke has taken his first steps on the Jedi path and that Vader’s actions will show Luke his true colors and make it harder for the Sith Lord to turn his son to the dark side.
It’s inspirational to see a character who lost so much in his life and lived in exile for decades not succumb to despair,choosing to die with purpose rather than feel sad in his last moments. On the other hand, it still manages to be a devastating scene, with Vader finally killing his former master and causing Luke to kill out of anger for the first time. Thankfully, George Lucas introduced the concept of Force ghosts soon after, allowing Obi-Wan to continue playing a role in the trilogy and see Luke help save the galaxy and restore the Jedi Order.
Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
Palpatine is the ultimate embodiment of the dark side inStar Wars, making his death inReturn of the Jedisatisfying after all the suffering he inflicted on others. Sadly,The Rise of Skywalkermade the mistake of resurrecting Palpatine at the last minuteand not bothering to explain how he survived. As is a pattern for many characters in the sequel trilogy, Palpatine’s death at Rey’s hands is a mashup of his duel with Mace Windu inRevenge of the Sithand the throne room scene inReturn of the Jedi, making the manner of his death more illogical.
Despite Mace Windu redirecting his lighting and scarring him for life, Palpatine seems to think that the same trick will work on Rey and somehow can’t stop when he realizes it won’t.It’s also not clear why the audience should believe Palpatine is deadwhen he already came back once and said that he wanted Rey to kill him so his spirit could pass into her. If the filmmakers wanted to bring back Palpatine, they should have found a new way to use the character. As it stands, Palpatine’s ending is easily one of the least satisfying inStar Wars.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
The story of Anakin Skywalker is a tragedy, but despite his equally tragic death, his redemption results in theStar Warssaga’s most satisfying character ending. Anakin begins his story as a good man haunted by his past and overwhelmed by his power, and his growing selfishness causes him to betray the Jedi and embrace the dark side. However, his choice to save his son and sacrifice himself shows that no matter how far a person has fallen,it’s never too late to turn back and do the right thing.
It’s a bold message to convey through a man as evil as Darth Vader, soReturn of the Jedibalances this out by affirming the consequences of Anakin’s life. He dies having cast off the dark side, but it offers him and Luke a glimpse of the life they both could have had but never will.Anakin’s funeral is simultaneously heartbreaking and beautiful, perfectly embodying the contradictory nature of his story. It’s a conclusion that continues to stick with audiences, and futureStar Warsstories can always look back to it as inspiration for creating a satisfying character ending.
