The Last Jedi - A Reylo Perspective

I absolutely adored The Last Jedi and am still buzzing from it. I need to let it sink in and can’t wait until I see it again on Thursday (once I see it again, I will actually be able to write a full review), but I wanted to run down some key things related to how the movie plays in relation to Reylo. I have seen lots of panic and misinformation going around, so wanted to cover some key things.

There will be spoilers beneath the cut here. Please, please be respectful of others, and take appropriate caution when discussing this information. Most of this information is probably already out there in some way shape or form, but I’m not sure how much of this has been written up from a Reylo perspective.

I will not spoil the whole plot and will not respond to anyone asking me to do so (if you’re that desperate, there are plenty of leaks out there already - go and find them). I will, however, go into some key moments - I really think all of this is best experienced in a cinema rather than through my account, so bear that in mind before proceeding. I advise that you wait, but I know that some people are desperate for this and felt obliged to provide.

Without further delay - proceed beneath the cut if you want Reylo spoilers!

- I was absolutely shocked by how much Reylo content there was in The Last Jedi. As a shipper, I would say the good scenes for Reylo far outweigh the bad - Rey and Kylo are basically positioned as destined lovers, and almost all their scenes together are deeply sensual. There are lots of long, lingering looks, and this is a movie where hands touching is basically a proxy for sex. Of all the Star Wars movies, I would say this one easily has the most sexuality.

- There is lots of angst. This is not a smooth and straightforward love story - it’s more about intense passion and deep, spiritual connection. There will be no easy path to redemption for Kylo, though I don’t think redemption is completely off the cards for him (see below).

- Rey and Kylo have a Force bond that allows them to communicate across space. So Kylo feels it when Rey is experiencing the rain for the first time, and Rey stammers in embarrassment upon communicating with Kylo unexpectedly while he is strutting about shirtless. There are lots of scenes like this and they are glorious.

- Kylo never goes to Ahch-To in person - he only appears there through his connection with Rey.

- The ancient exploding hut rumour from Bothan Spy is true. Rey and Kylo are bonding telepathically and are discussing forming an alliance. Kylo extends his hand and Rey accepts, and they lace their fingers together (Rey’s hand looks extremely delicate and tiny in his). Just as their hands touch Luke interrupts them - furious, he explodes the hut. It is played as if he disturbed an intimate encounter,

- Rey and Kylo are both convinced that they can turn the other person to their side. They both see futures where the other person is with them - they just have radically different ideas about how it happens (Rey thinks it will happen as Ben returning home, and Kylo thinks it will happen as Rey ruling the galaxy at his side).

- There is an elevator scene that is filled with charged looks and unspoken longing. I can’t quite believe it happened.

- Snoke claims that he engineered the connection between Rey and Kylo to manipulate them both, but Kylo clearly thinks otherwise. He considers it their destiny to be together and is adamant on this point.

- Kylo and Rey fight the Praetorian Guards together and it is truly glorious - you need to witness it for yourselves.



- Kylo tells Rey that he’s the only person who cares for and values her, rather cruelly (perhaps unconsciously - he’s arrogant and takes his high status very seriously) stressing her lowly origins and uncaring parents. He positions himself as the embodiment of the positive and loving future that she deserves (in contrast to her sad and pathetic origins).

- Kylo asks Rey to rule together with him, offering her his hand. Rey refuses in sensational fashion and they are separated by an explosion. When Kylo recovers Rey has gone, and he becomes very angry and vows to destroy her. He behaves like a thwarted lover.

- Kylo goes on something of a rampage in the final act (again, look elsewhere if you want details) but the final scene with him offers a flicker of hope. He is shown picking up the discarded dice from the Falcon and his connection with Rey awakens. He looks at her with something like heartbreak while she looks down at him sternly, closing the door on him. Beneath all his bluster and rage, he clearly still wants her.

In conclusion, my educated opinion is that Rian probably has a password-protected folder on his laptop filled with Reylo fanfiction. It wouldn’t surprise me if he has an AO3 account.