Finn’s Journey: From First-Order Soldier to Lightsaber-Wielding Warrior

As the galaxy far away was filled with legendary warriors, Finn was also one of the remarkable soldiers in the saga. He was a stormtrooper of the First Order, built by Kylo Ren under Snoke. John Boyega portrayed Finn throughout the sequel trilogy. He was known as FN-2187 when he served the First Order. However, he soon rejected this path and wanted freedom. That’s how his life transformed from an obedient soldier to a hero of the Resistance. 

This blog explores how Finn’s life is filled with fear, self-doubt, and struggle to fight for freedom. 

Finn’s Early Life

Finn was kidnapped when he was born. Unlike Republic soldiers, First Order stormtroopers were taken away from their families forcefully. Finn was raised with the name FN-2187 and continued living, serving the order. He was trained on Starkiller Base and learnt blaster combat, melee fighting, and squad tactics. He was brainwashed since birth to believe that he had only one purpose: to stay loyal to Supreme Leader Snoke. 

However, Finn always felt a sense of morality. He was proficient in combat and was trained to kill opponents, but he never killed anyone. This made him different from others. He questioned the cruelty of the First Order and the destruction that resulted from it. He never said this, but these doubts about his sincerity with the Order kept on lingering in his heart, which would lead him to rebel in the future. 

Growing Doubts and Escape From the First Order 

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Finn’s life took a dramatic turn when he was tasked with attacking a village on Jakku that was suspected of helping the Resistance. This was his first battle, and on the battlefield, he realized how Stormtroopers slaughtered innocent people, including women and children. As the chaos unfolded, a dying stormtrooper marked Finn’s helmet with a bloody handprint.

It was a shocking moment for Finn, who did not let him fire his weapon. He was shaken by the massacre on the planet. He felt that he could no longer accept this violence. Captain Phasma, his commanding officer, noticed this and later reminded him of his failure to follow orders. However, at this moment, Finn realized that he was unable to continue it anymore and decided to escape. 

To proceed with his plan, he freed Resistance pilot Poe Dameron, who had been captured by Kylo Ren. Together, they stole a TIE fighter and attempted to escape Starkiller Base. Poe, impressed by Finn’s bravery, gave him a new name, calling him Finn, derived from his stormtrooper designation, FN-2187. However, their escape did not go as planned—the TIE fighter was shot down, and Finn crash-landed alone on Jakku.

Meeting Rey and Joining the Resistance

On Jakku, Finn met Rey, a scavenger with a strong, hidden connection to the Force. To escape the First Order, Finn lied about being in the Resistance to win Rey’s trust. Then, when the First Order attacked Jakku for BB-8, Finn and Rey had to flee on the Millennium Falcon. 

Their journey brought them to Han Solo and Chewbacca, previous owners of the Millennium Falcon. They reached Takodana, and Finn thought about escaping rather than facing the First Order. At this point, he was still motivated by fear, wanting freedom rather than joining the Resistance. However, Finn grabbed Luke Skywalker's lightsaber when the First Order attacked Maz Kanata’s castle. He fought a stormtrooper in melee combat, showing his growing courage.

Finn’s true turning point came when Kylo Ren captured Rey and took her to Starkiller Base. Instead of running away, Finn chose to help save Rey, fully embracing his role as a Resistance fighter. 

Finn’s Lightsaber Duel on Starkiller Base 

Finn, with help from Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Poe Dameron, sneaked into Starkiller Base. He aimed to lower its shields and rescue Rey. During the mission, Finn saw Han Solo die at Kylo Ren's hands. This tragic loss made him even more determined to fight the First Order.

In the final battle, Finn took up Luke Skywalker’s blue lightsaber once again and dueled Kylo Ren. Finn fought bravely, even though he was outmatched. He managed to hit Ren but was then gravely wounded. Finn lay unconscious and near death as Starkiller Base fell apart.

Role in the Resistance

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Finn woke up on the Resistance flagship after his duel with Kylo Ren. He was still healing from his injuries. Finn thought about running away again. The First Order was chasing the Resistance, and he felt their fight was hopeless.

His journey in The Last Jedi focused on finding his true purpose. Finn went on a mission with Rose Tico. Their goal was to disable the First Order’s tracking technology. This mission took them to the city of Canto Bight. Finn experienced the corrupt world, realizing that the fight against the First Order was not just for the Resistance. It was for the entire galaxy.

By the film’s climax, Finn had fully committed himself to the Resistance. In the Battle of Crait, he made a desperate attack on the First Order’s superweapon. He was ready to sacrifice himself for the cause. But Rose stopped him. She believed their fight should focus on saving those they love, not on destroying what they hate.

The Final Battle Against the First Order 

In The Rise of Skywalker, Finn fully embraced his role as a Resistance leader. He stood with Poe Dameron and Princess Leia Organa. In the film, hints suggest that Finn had a connection to the Force. He sensed things that others couldn't, but this idea was never fully explored.

Finn was key in the Resistance's last fight against the First Order and Emperor Palpatine. In the Battle of Exegol, Finn attacked the Sith fleet. He helped destroy the Final Order’s Star Destroyers. His leadership and bravery were instrumental in securing the Resistance’s final victory.

Finn was changed from a scared stormtrooper wanting to escape into a real hero of the Resistance. He found his role as a soldier and someone who fought for others.

The Legacy of Finn

Finn’s journey in Star Wars was about self-discovery, courage, and heroism. He began as a nameless soldier in the First Order. His decisions, friendships, and struggles helped him become a key hero of the Resistance. Finn stood out among Star Wars heroes. He lacked a legendary bloodline and great Force powers. Instead, he was an ordinary person with extraordinary choices, showing that anyone can be a hero. 

Finn’s story ended with the Resistance winning, but questions remain. What about his Force sensitivity? What does his future hold after the war? Could Finn one day train as a Jedi, following in Rey’s footsteps?