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Action adventure film

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Cast & Ratings

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) movie poster

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 action adventure film directed by J.J. Abrams, starring Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega and Adam Driver. It runs 2 hours 22 minutes and earned $1.08 billion worldwide on a $275 million budget. Critics gave it 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
51%
worldwide gross
$1.1B
Echo Score
41
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Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 22m (142 min)
Director
J.J. Abrams
Original language
English
Budget
$275M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker About?

The premise of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

The rise of a new threat plunges the galaxy into turmoil as Palpatine’s dark legacy returns. Rey, Finn, and Poe lead the charge against the First Order, determined to dismantle their imperial ambitions. As time dwindles, Rey confronts Kylo Ren in a climactic battle that will decide the fate of the Resistance and the future of the galaxy.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • evil
  • actor reprises previous role
  • quicksand
  • return of dead character
  • shame
  • interracial relationship
  • space opera
  • star wars
  • hand to hand combat
  • death of recurring character
  • disney star wars
  • sequel
+38 more
  • villain not really dead cliche
  • dark side
  • part of trilogy
  • han solo character
  • soldier
  • cameo
  • planet
  • rebel
  • spy
  • person thought dead is alive
  • healing power
  • intuition
  • lightsaber duel
  • celebration
  • death of leader
  • self sacrifice
  • space navy
  • supervillain
  • final battle
  • martial arts
  • desert planet
  • massacre
  • ninth part
  • luke skywalker character
  • actress reprises previous role
  • the force
  • poe dameron character
  • general hux character
  • lightsaber
  • robot
  • identity
  • bad guy turns good
  • cgi character in a live action movie
  • crossguard lightsaber
  • gunslinger
  • grandfather granddaughter relationship
  • psychic link
  • death star
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Cast & crew

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Cast & Characters

Daisy Ridley leads the cast as Rey, with John Boyega as Finn and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. Directed by J.J. Abrams; 21 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

· 17 more
Show all 21 cast members
From the director

More from J.J. Abrams

More films directed by J.J. Abrams, best-rated first: Star Trek, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Super 8 and Mission: Impossible III.

Full filmography
Ratings

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 41/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in story & flow (25).

41 /100

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Echo Score Breakdown

While Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker offers moments of visual flair and a stirring musical score, its overall execution struggles with an uneven blend of fan service and narrative coherence. The film’s reliance on callbacks undermines forward momentum, and character arcs often feel compressed or underdeveloped. Pacing shifts between exposition and action can feel abrupt, diluting engagement. Despite the craftsmanship in production design and sound, these strengths are overshadowed by a disjointed story. The net impression is a divisive finale with limited narrative satisfaction.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 55

    In terms of Art and Craft, the film delivers striking production design and a varied color palette that recall the saga’s visual legacy. Cinematography often captures expansive vistas, though choices in framing can feel overly familiar. Editing transitions occasionally lack rhythm, leading to abrupt scene shifts. Direction leans heavily on nostalgic imagery rather than fresh visual concepts. Overall, the craftsmanship is competent but falls short of innovation.

  • Character & Emotion 35

    When it comes to character depth, the film presents familiar personas without substantial development beyond established traits. Acting performances provide occasional emotional resonance, but many arcs conclude abruptly, limiting empathy. Chemistry between leads surfaces in brief moments but is undercut by accelerated plot demands. As a result, emotional stakes feel constrained and character engagement is sporadic.

  • Story & Flow 25

    In terms of Story and Flow, the narrative relies heavily on callbacks, resulting in a fragmented structure that hinders coherence. Pacing oscillates between rapid exposition and extended action, creating uneven momentum. Originality is limited by repeated franchise motifs, and key plot developments often lack sufficient setup. Consequently, engagement diminishes as the film progresses toward an overstuffed finale.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to the sensory experience, the score by John Williams stands out with thematic richness that enhances emotional moments. Sound design balances effects and dialogue clearly, supporting immersion. Visual style remains cohesive with polished effects and set detail. On the whole, audio and visual elements cohere effectively, providing the film’s strongest experiential component.

  • Rewatch Factor 35

    In terms of rewatch value, the film’s fragmented narrative and reliance on nostalgia limit lasting appeal beyond initial viewings. While certain action set pieces and musical themes may invite repeat viewing, uneven pacing and compressed character arcs reduce emotional reward on revisits. Ultimately, the film offers some moments of enjoyment but lacks cohesive depth to support multiple viewings.

Plot

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Plot Summary

What happens in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The story begins with an ominous opening crawl, revealing that a mysterious broadcast has echoed across the galaxy, emanating from the late Emperor Palpatine. In response, General Leia Organa dispatches agents to investigate this strange occurrence. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren, now the Supreme Leader of the First Order, is on a relentless quest to find Palpatine and eliminate any threats to his rule. His journey leads him to Mustafar, where he seizes an ancient Sith artifact known as a “Wayfinder,” using it to chart a course into the galaxy’s unknown regions. This ultimately brings him to Exagol, the legendary home of the Sith, where Palpatine—returning through unnatural means—has been orchestrating events from the shadows.

Full summary

The whole story of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Box Office & Budget

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker grossed $1.08 billion worldwide on a $275 million budget, 3.9 times what it cost. $515.2 million came from the US and Canada and $561.8 million (52%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1B

3.9× its budget

US & Canada
$515.2M
International
$561.8M
Budget
$275M
US & Canada 48% Rest of the world 52%
Videos

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker Trailers & Videos

13 videos: 1 trailer, 4 teasers, 1 clip, 6 featurettes and 1 behind-the-scenes video.

All 13 videos
Final Trailer
  • Teaser D23 Special Look
  • Teaser “End” TV Spot
  • Teaser “Fate” TV Spot
  • Teaser Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | “Duel” TV Spot
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who sends out agents to investigate the mysterious broadcast in the beginning?

Cars

Cars in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker

1 car on screen: the 125-Z Treadspeeder Bike.

  • 125-Z Treadspeeder Bike in Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker 125-Z Treadspeeder Bike Important role

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FAQ

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker runs 2 hours 22 minutes (142 minutes).

When was Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker released?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker was released on December 20, 2019.

Who directed Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker was directed by J.J. Abrams.

More films by J.J. Abrams

Who is in the cast of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, among 21 credited actors.

How much did Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker make at the box office?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker grossed $1.08 billion worldwide ($515.2 million domestic, $561.8 million international) on a budget of $275 million.

How is Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker rated?

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 51% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 2.3/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker have a post-credit scene?

No. Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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