Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Surprising Ending, Explained

WARNING:: The following article contains major spoilers for director Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, in theaters now.

Often, the final moments of a film can contain clues to the future of the franchise, and that's no different for writer/director Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The main players, or at least those sill alive, in both the Resistance and the First Order return to their respective corners of the galaxy to fight another day.

They end The Last Jedi in fundamentally different places from where they began the film, however. If you walked out of the theater and need some help wrapping your brain around what you just witnessed, you came to the right place. We'll fill you in on the statuses of Rey, Kylo Ren, Luke Skywalkwer and the rest of the franchise's heroes and villains.

The Last Jedi ... For Now

There was much speculation in the months leading up to the release of The Last Jedi about just who the title referenced. Was it Luke Skywalker, or his new apprentice Rey? Johnson teased in September that the answer could be found in the opening crawl of 2015's The Force Awakens: It names Luke as the last Jedi.

However, we learn that Luke, in fact, is not the last Jedi, after he dies to cover the Resistance's evacuation of the planet Crait and escape destruction by the First Order.

Another of our articles broke down Luke's epic The Last Jedi scene in detail, but for now it appears that he has become one with the Force. Symbolically, Luke may have started as the film's titular character, but Star Wars still has Rey to carry on the Jedi legacy, along with another group we'll address later. But although Luke may be dead, he can always reappear as a Force ghost. So hopefully this isn't the last we Mark Hamill in his Jedi attire. And least we got a scene of Luke and Leia reunited again before there journeys were done.

New Supreme Leader

Kylo Ren has the new title of Supreme Leader after he cut down his mentor Snoke. After bringing Rey to Snoke, the former Supreme Leader commanded Kylo to take his lightsaber to the Jedi-in-training. In a surprising twist, Kylo turned on Snoke and looked to be heading back to the light side of the Force. However, we soon learned that wasn't the case.

Kylo took over leadership of the First Order, led their attack on Crait, and attempted to murder Luke. For now, Ben Solo is gone, and only Kylo Ren remains.

Rey of Hope

The Last Jedi's lead character has a roller coaster of a story arc. Rey gained some Jedi training under Luke, and learned the truth behind Kylo Ren's destruction of the Jedi temple. She also formed a stronger connection with Kylo than Luke or Snoke ever did. However, that still wasn't enough to bring Ben Solo back from the Dark Side.

Oh, yeah, there's also the little manner of Rey's parentage finally being revealed. With that information no longer hanging over her head, Rey can focus on becoming stronger in the Force, while also helping to rebuild the Resistance.

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Back to the Drawing Board for the Resistance

Resistance Bombers in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The small group of Resistance fighters had a tough go of it in The Last Jedi. Not only are they chased by the First Order for the majority of the film, but their allies across the galaxy never come to their aid. The Resistance lost many of its numbers, including Amilyn Holdo, who stepped in for General Leia Organa after she suffered injuries in battle.

Although things look bleak, there is still hope, as we're reminded at the end of The Last Jedi. When Luke appears on Crait, he instantly fills the Resistance with a renewed sense of hope, and offers the spark needed to encourage them to fight on, no matter what their numbers may be. In fact, it looks like the Resistance is making way for the formation of a new Rebellion. If that's true, it will be in good hands with the likes of Finn, Poe Dameron and Rose Tico.

What Becomes of Leia?

We got a scare early on in The Last Jedi when Leia was left stranded in space after the First Order's attack on the Resistance. Lucasfilm could have used the opportunity to write Carrie Fisher out of the Star Wars franchise following her death, but instead, Leia survives to continue leading the Resistance.

One can imagine we won't see Leia in Episode IV, with the character passing on leadership to a new character, or perhaps someone like Poe Dameron steps up to the plate.

Finn, Poe Dameron and Rose Tico

Rose and Finn in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Three central figures in the Resistance are still kicking, and look to have larger roles in the group moving forward. We almost lost Finn as he tried to sacrifice himself to take out the First Order's huge cannon on Crait, but his new friend Rose came to the rescue.

Finn may have been angered that Rose stopped him from completing his mission, but he didn't seem to mind the kiss she planted on him. Could a relationship be brewing between the two?

As for Poe, he went from a commander down to a captain after Leia demoted him for disobeying orders. He was a hot-head for sure, but by the film's end, he finally came to understand what real leadership is. Look for this to continue into the final chapter of this new Star Wars trilogy.

A New Hope

Luke Skywalker may be dead, but the Force lives on. We see an example of this in The Last Jedi's closing moments in Canto Bight, where oppressed children of the casino city are inspired by Luke's heroism. One child had Rose's ring emblazoned with the Resistance emblem, and displayed the power of the Force as he summoned a broom to his outstretched hand.

As he looked to the stars, a ship raced by. Whether it was the Millennium Falcon or some random starship, it brought back memories of a young Luke Skywalker gazing at the twin suns setting on Tatooine. The kid could grow up to be the next Luke or Rey, which is why there will always be a reason for hope in the Star Wars universe.

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Benicio Del Toro as ‘DJ’, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, and the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. The film is in theaters worldwide.