Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Five ways to win back the haters

2. Let the Good Guys Be Good

Star Wars has never shied away from writing some of its characters with ambiguous morals. The fight between good and evil is the axis that the franchise pivots on. While redemption has never been out of reach, the good guys have primarily acted like heroes. Not in The Last Jedi.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of the previous instalment was how consistent the characterizations of the villainous First Order were, while the heroes were painted as everything from damsels, and cowards, to misogynists.

Poe couldn’t take orders from a woman, and his actions resulted in the deaths of the majority of the Resistance. He even instigated the Canto Bight mission — against orders — which meant Finn and Rose inadvertently led the First Order straight to the Resistance’s location and… yes, killed even more of the heroes.

Meanwhile, Kylo Ren and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) were alternatively suffering and brooding men of action who begged to be sympathized with. Kylo was given splendid action sequences that showed off what a potential catch he could be for Rey – that was until he played the old “let’s rule the galaxy together” card, but it was consistent with his character. Why were the heroes treated with less respect?