Publish date: 2023-12-15
Many fans might think Luke Skywalker's Star Wars death in The Last Jedi was weak, but it was a poetically fitting end to the character's arc.
Many audience members didn't enjoy Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but Luke Skywalker's death in the film was arguably a perfect end for the character. Even a few years after Disney's Star Wars sequels concluded, the disjointed trilogy remains a common discussion among fans. A lot of the fan base have criticized the movies' departure from George Lucas' original vision and the way in which they retconned of Star Wars' wider canon. Still, the sequel trilogy was able to bring the Skywalker saga back to the big screen and deliver a conclusion to the stories of a number of its iconic characters.
One of these characters was Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker, who met his end in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. After facing off with his former student Kylo Ren and apologizing for having failed him, Luke revealed himself to be a Force projection. Skywalker's physical form quietly and peacefully accepted death back on Ahch-To, passing away into the Force to live on as a Force ghost.
This was one of the sequels' most hated creative choices by Star Wars fans, but it was actually a perfect way for the character to die. Luke used a combination of all of the teachings of the Jedi before him, confronted his past, and still died an honorable death. However, many Star Wars fans have been vocal about their issues with Luke Skywalker's death. While other characters' sequel trilogy deaths are often considered much worse endings, Luke's still doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
Luke Finally Faced His Mistake Before He Died
In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it is framed as a big reveal that Luke tried to kill nephew and student Ben Solo while he was asleep. This forms the basis of much of Luke's inner conflict throughout The Last Jedi. Luke's attempted murder is a plot point that defines both of their characterizations, as it pushed Ben to embrace the dark side of the Force and become Kylo Ren.
By linking Kylo Ren's origins to Luke's biggest mistake, Star Wars: The Last Jedi allows the Jedi to find redemption in the pair's showdown. Once he has faced Kylo Ren, Luke is able to apologize for his mistake, and make one final attempt to offer the compassion he had previously withheld. While this doesn't work, it allows Luke to become one with the Force knowing he had confronted his greatest failure.
Luke's Death Made Kylo Ren Confront His Anger
Not only did the pair's duel on Crait allow Luke a chance to face his inner demons, but it brought Kylo Ren to consider his deeply ingrained anger. Kylo Ren's dark side Force powers stem from his intense rage, which is largely obsessed with his uncle and former master. By having Luke engage Kylo Ren peacefully, it proves that the villain's anger is uncontrollable, forcing him to examine his own lack of control.
This is evidenced before he even personally engages Luke, as he reveals the depths of his anger to the First Order soldiers who he commands. Then, he repeatedly attempts to duel Skywalker, only to be dodged with ease. This forces Ren to confront the anger that Luke provoked in him. Although the lesson didn't seem to sink in until Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker when Ben Solo finally found redemption, it still contributed to Luke's peaceful death.
Luke's Star Wars Death Parallels Obi-Wan Kenobi's Death
Luke Skywalker's death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi isn't just perfect within the sequels' specific narrative. It actually links Luke back to the Jedi that came before him, drawing parallels with the death of his mentor, Obi-Wan Kenobi. In fact, the similarities between the two characters' deaths are uncanny, with a number of aspects of Luke's death calling back to Obi-Wan's fatal duel with Darth Vader.
Luke and Kylo Ren were once Master and student, as were Obi-Wan and Vader. Ren had modeled himself on Vader, where Luke always tried to embrace Obi-Wan's teachings, and the duel played out in much the same way. While Ren didn't physically strike Luke, Skywalker becoming one of Star Wars' Force ghosts mirrors Obi-Wan's death, having him become one with the Force after facing his fallen apprentice.
Luke Accepted His Fate Like A True Jedi
Luke dies much more peacefully than most other Star Wars characters, but his peaceful passing into the Force actually indicates just how perfect the moment was for Skywalker's ending. After facing his former student and confronting his own failure as a Jedi, Luke is able to find the inner peace that he'd been lacking for so long. In doing so, it seems that his true connection to the Force was re-established, which ultimately allowed him to pass into the Force.
This is an important moment for Luke's character, as it signifies that he understands his strength is spent, and he resigns to his death as a happy man. Knowing he's attempted to make amends with Ren allows Luke's death in The Last Jedi to feel earned, as his last piece of unfinished business was completed. Luke's decision to allow himself to pass into the Force indicates that he believes he's reached the end of his journey, signifying a deep-seated inner peace.
Why Fans Hated Luke Skywalker's Star Wars Death
In the years since The Last Jedi's release, some fans have embraced the poetic nature of Luke Skywalker's final moments staring at the binary suns of Ahch-To. However, many fans still affirm that the way in which Luke was killed off in the Star Wars sequels was a missed opportunity, with many finding his death to be underwhelming. Although it is debatable whether it was the right decision for the trilogy, Luke's peaceful death is a perfect way for his arc to conclude in the film.
Today, the Star Wars sequel trilogy remains divisive. While there is certainly a strong argument that The Last Jedi could have given Luke Skywalker a more exciting narrative conclusion, the ending that was written by director Rian Johnson was fitting for a film focused on accepting failure. Although many longtime fans might not think it is a strong way for Luke Skywalker's arc to wrap up, his death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi was a thoughtful end for the character.
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