 | DarkStar Star Wars Character Database: Kylo Ren (Ben Solo)11 May 2023 | Captain Rex |
Kylo Ren - The Tormented Apprentice of the Dark Side
Kylo Ren, born Ben Solo, was the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, and the grandson of the legendary Sith Lord Darth Vader. As a powerful Force user who struggled with the light and dark sides, Kylo Ren played a pivotal role in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Initially the apprentice of Supreme Leader Snoke, he eventually became the leader of the First Order, before ultimately redeeming himself and helping to defeat the resurrected Emperor Palpatine.
Character Description
Ben Solo was born into a family of heroes, with his parents Han and Leia being key figures in the Rebel Alliance, and his uncle, Luke Skywalker, the last Jedi Knight. Despite this, he was plagued by the dark side from a young age, with the lingering influence of his grandfather, Darth Vader, casting a shadow over his life. He trained under Luke as a Jedi, but was seduced by the dark side and manipulated by Snoke, eventually joining the Knights of Ren and adopting the name Kylo Ren.
As the commander of the First Order, Kylo Ren was responsible for numerous atrocities, including the destruction of the New Republic and the massacre of the remaining Jedi. He developed a complex relationship with the scavenger Rey, who would later be revealed as the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine. Their connection through the Force, known as a Force dyad, ultimately played a significant role in the fate of the galaxy.
Throughout the sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren struggled with his internal conflict between the light and dark sides of the Force. After killing Snoke and usurping his position as Supreme Leader, he sought to convince Rey to join him in ruling the galaxy. However, his confrontation with his parents and a final encounter with the redeemed memory of his grandfather led him to turn away from the dark side, reclaiming his identity as Ben Solo and sacrificing his life to save Rey and help defeat Palpatine.
Appearances in Star Wars Media
- Film: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
- Film: Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
- Film: Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
- Comic: Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren
- Various novels, comics, and games in the Star Wars canon
