Who is Kylo Ren? A Complete Guide to Star Wars’ Complex Antagonist

Kylo Ren is played by the incredibly skilled actor Adam Driver. He is among the most intriguing figures in the Star Wars series. His tale is of light and shadow, heritage and betrayal, affection and salvation. Let's explore his initial internal struggles and how he returned to the light side, leaving a lasting impact on the galaxy.

The Origins of Ben Solo 

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Kylo Ren was born in the Republic's early years under the name Ben Solo. He was the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo, two of the most famous characters of the saga. He had a strong link with the Force, but there was also a dark shadow over him because he was the grandson of Darth Vader. 

When Leia sensed the strength of the Force within her son, she wanted her brother Luke to train her son. Under him, Ben showcased his potential and realized his gifted abilities. However, Ben was haunted by his family's lingering guilt and the weight of his parents' expectations. 

Manipulation and Fall to Darkness 

Leia and Luke didn't know that Supreme Leader Snoke was controlling Ben. Snoke, a dark-side puppet, served the revived Emperor Palpatine and influenced Ben since childhood. As Ben aged, the darkness thrived within him. He felt misunderstood, especially because his parents were often busy with their duties to the galaxy. 

The turning point occurred on a significant night at Luke's Jedi temple. Luke felt the darkness growing in Ben. For a moment, he thought about killing him to save him. Even though Luke quickly regretted this impulse, Ben woke up to see his uncle standing over him with his lightsaber. Ben felt deceived. In a rage, he destroyed Luke’s temple. He abandoned his identity as Ben Solo and turned into Kylo Ren. 

Kylo Ren and the First Order: A Dark Enforcer

Kylo Ren became the leader of the Knights of Ren, a mysterious group of dark-side warriors. He pledged his loyalty to Snoke and the First Order, a military faction that sought to restore the Empire’s rule. Being the apprentice of Snoke, Kylo emerged as one of the most feared figures of the First Order. His chaos showed in his unpredictable crossguard lightsaber. It was made from a broken Kyber Crystal. However, despite his intimidating reputation, Kylo was divided in conflicts. The light within him, symbolized by his relationship with his family, continued to haunt him. 

Finding Luke Skywalker and Meeting Rey 

In The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren is assigned the mission of finding Luke Skywalker, who has been in hiding since the ruin of his Jedi temple. The Resistance obtained a portion of a map to find Luke's location, hidden inside the droid BB-8. Kylo, following Snoke’s commands, aimed to obtain the map and eradicate the final Jedi.

At Maz Kanata's castle on Takodana, Kylo sensed Rey’s strong Force presence. She was a scavenger caught up in the Resistance’s fight, though she didn’t know it. In the First Order's siege on the castle, Kylo seizes Rey, thinking she could be crucial in locating Luke. He took her to Starkiller Base for questioning.

Killing His Father, Han Solo  

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While Rey escaped the base, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Finn sneaked into Starkiller Base to shut down its shields and save her. Upon reuniting with Rey, the group placed explosive devices to obliterate the facility. While on their mission, Han faces his distant son, Kylo Ren, on a slender bridge.

Han Solo called Kylo by his real name, Ben, to encourage him to return to the light. Kylo was struck by his internal struggles. He turned on his lightsaber and killed Han Solo. He thought this would strengthen his bond with the dark side, but it only deepened his inner struggle. 

Duel on Starkiller Base 

As Starkiller Base fell from the Resistance's assault, Kylo Ren confronted Rey and Finn in the snowy woods. Determined to put an end to them, he fought bravely but was soon overpowered and gravely wounded by Rey. Their battle ended dramatically as the earth separating them fractured because of the base’s annihilation. Kylo was guilty, while Rey fled with Finn on the Millennium Falcon. 

Forming Force Dyad Bond With Rey 

When the Starkiller Base is destroyed, Kylo Ren's obsession with locating Luke Skywalker intensifies. Kylo was resolute to locate and eliminate his uncle to end the Jedi legacy permanently. Meanwhile, Rey searches for Luke Skywalker on Ahch-To, thinking he is the final hope for the galaxy. Both Rey and Kylo were drawn to Luke for completely different reasons, which created a Force Dyad bond between them. This special link connected them over long distances. They could see each other as if they were in the same room. Their connection strengthened as Kylo claimed that Luke attempted to murder him in his sleep. This discovery led Rey to doubt Luke’s honesty.

The Throne Room Battle and Kylo’s Betrayal of Snoke

Kylo and Rey’s connection reached its peak in Snoke’s throne room. Rey believed she could turn Kylo back to the light. Snoke, however, revealed that he had been manipulating their bond to lure Rey to him. In a twist, Kylo betrayed Snoke, using the Force to eliminate him. Kylo's true intentions were revealed when he invited Rey to unite with him in governing the galaxy. He imagined a new system, free from the Sith and the Jedi. Rey, shocked by his suggestion, declined, resulting in their partnership being broken.

The Battle of Crait and Confrontation with Luke

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In The Last Jedi, Kylo, as a Supreme Leader of the First Order, attacked the Resistance’s stronghold on Crait. During the battle, Kylo faces an unexpected challenge. Luke Skywalker appeared to confront him. Consumed by anger, Kylo unleashes the full power of the First Order on Luke. However, he soon discovered that Luke was just a Force projection. 

Redemption and Sacrifice for Rey 

In The Rise of Skywalker, Kylo Ren kept chasing power. He looked for Emperor Palpatine, who had secretly come back. Palpatine granted Kylo leadership of the Final Order. However, Kylo’s journey took an unforeseen twist following another meeting with Rey. 

Rey won over Kylo in a lightsaber battle on the rubble of the Death Star. She used the Force to heal him, which profoundly impacted Kylo, helping him restore his real identity. In the battle on Exegol, Ben teamed up with Rey to face Emperor Palpatine. Together, they represented the strength of the Force dyad. Even though Palpatine was eventually vanquished, Ben gave up his life to save Rey. 

Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber

Before falling to darkness, Ben Solo used a blue lightsaber as a Jedi apprentice under Luke Skywalker. This saber showed his loyalty to the Jedi Order. When he turned to the dark side, he destroyed his Jedi weapon and made a new one.

Kylo Ren created a crossguard lightsaber, reflecting his raw and aggressive nature. Its red blade came from a cracked Kyber crystal—likely the same one from his Jedi saber. This lightsaber embodied chaos and his conflicted thoughts, becoming a powerful symbol of his strength and instability.

Legacy

Kylo Ren's story explores identity, destiny, and redemption. He was consumed by darkness throughout his life. He fought for the Empire against the Resistance. His choices were shaped by inner struggles. Yet, he ultimately chose the right path. His redemption became the Skywalker bloodline’s lasting legacy of hope in the galaxy. He left a message: Even in dark times, hope can be found.