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Adventure action film

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

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

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 adventure action film starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Hayden Christensen and Andrew Havill. It runs 2 hours 22 minutes and was made on a reported $275 million budget. Its Echo Score is 46/100.

Echo Score
46
budget
$275M
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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 22m (142 min)
Genres
Adventure , Action , Sci-Fi
Original language
English
Budget
$275M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker About?

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

The surviving members of the Resistance confront the First Order in a continuing struggle for freedom. Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron must draw upon the wisdom and strength of past heroes as they face a rising darkness and embark on a journey that will determine the fate of the galaxy. The final confrontation begins, bringing a culmination of Skywalker legacy.

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Cast & crew

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Cast & Characters

Mark Hamill leads the cast as Luke Skywalker, with Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker (voice) and Andrew Havill as First Order Officer.

Also Starring in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

· 107 more
Show all 111 cast members
Ratings

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 46/100, strongest in sensory experience (58) and weakest in rewatch factor (38).

46 /100

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Echo Score Breakdown

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker elicits a divided response, with its ambition to close the saga weighed against numerous narrative and tonal shortcomings. Critics and audiences acknowledge moments of visual splendor and nostalgic resonance, yet repeatedly cite a convoluted plot, uneven character development, and a reliance on franchise callbacks that undermine originality. The film’s technical execution is competent, but the cumulative effect leaves the finale feeling more like a hurried conclusion than a satisfying capstone.

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

  • Art & Craft 48

    In terms of art and craft, the film presents polished production design and competent visual effects, yet its direction and editing convey a sense of haste. Critics point to a lack of artistic integrity and reliance on familiar set pieces, while some reviewers commend the vibrant color palette and nostalgic settings. Consequently, the overall craftsmanship is solid but undermined by inconsistent execution.

  • Character & Emotion 46

    When evaluating character and emotion, performances receive mixed appraisals. Some critics and users praise Daisy Ridley’s portrayal and note moments of chemistry among the leads, whereas others lament the static development of Rey, Finn, and Poe and the underutilization of supporting figures. The recurring reliance on legacy characters fails to compensate for the shallow arcs, resulting in a generally uneven emotional impact.

  • Story & Flow 40

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative is frequently described as overcrowded and inconsistent. Reviewers highlight a convoluted plot that attempts to resolve previous installments while introducing new revelations, leading to pacing issues and numerous continuity gaps. Although a few commend the film’s effort to provide closure, the overall consensus points to a disjointed and unsatisfying storytelling experience.

  • Sensory Experience 58

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s score and visual design receive notable praise. Critics and audiences alike commend John Williams’ sweeping music and the vivid coloration of planetary landscapes and space battles, while acknowledging that the CGI work stands out as a technical highlight. Nevertheless, the sensory strengths are partially offset by uneven sound mixing in certain action sequences.

  • Rewatch Factor 38

    The rewatch factor appears limited, as many reviewers cite the film’s narrative fatigue and reliance on fan service as detracting from repeat enjoyment. While some viewers appreciate the nostalgic callbacks and occasional emotional moments that may warrant a second viewing, the overall consensus suggests that the movie lacks the depth and novelty required for sustained replay value.

Plot

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Plot Summary

What happens in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rey’s journey begins with the revelation that Emperor Palpatine (played by Ian McDiarmid) has survived the events of Return of the Jedi using dark Force powers, secretly orchestrating events from the shadows. The opening fanfare underscores his influence throughout the galaxy as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is tasked with locating and bringing him back. Rather than dying at the end of the original trilogy, Palpatine has been alive all along, deeply embedded in the sinister plans that threaten the galaxy once again.

Full summary

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

Read the full summary
Videos

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer and 6 featurettes.

All 7 videos
Final Trailer
  • Featurette Special Look
  • Featurette Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker | Featurette
  • Featurette Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker | Friendship Featurette
  • Featurette Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Amazon Special Look
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Star Wars: 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

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  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is revealed to be Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter in the film?

Seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?

FAQ

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, cast, budget and post-credit scenes of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?

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

When was Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker released?

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released on December 16, 2019.

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

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker (voice) and Andrew Havill as First Order Officer, among 111 credited actors.

What was the budget of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker had a reported budget of $275 million.

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

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

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