Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Despite a enormous budget of $300.0M, Star Wars: The Last Jedi became a solid performer, earning $1332.7M worldwide—a 344% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, showing that audiences embrace unique voice even at blockbuster scale.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rey
Luke Skywalker
Kylo Ren
General Leia Organa
Finn
Poe Dameron
Rose Tico
Supreme Leader Snoke
Vice Admiral Holdo
General Hux
Character Screen Time
Screen time mapped to story structure
Main Cast & Characters
Rey
Played by Daisy Ridley
Force-sensitive scavenger seeking training from Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Played by Mark Hamill
Legendary Jedi in exile, haunted by his failure with Ben Solo
Kylo Ren
Played by Adam Driver
Conflicted dark warrior whose bond with Rey deepens
General Leia Organa
Played by Carrie Fisher
Resistance leader facing extinction of her forces
Finn
Played by John Boyega
Former stormtrooper learning what's worth fighting for
Poe Dameron
Played by Oscar Isaac
Hot-headed pilot who must learn leadership through failure
Rose Tico
Played by Kelly Marie Tran
Maintenance worker turned hero who believes in the cause
Supreme Leader Snoke
Played by Andy Serkis
Dark side master killed by his own apprentice
Vice Admiral Holdo
Played by Laura Dern
Unconventional leader who sacrifices herself for the Resistance
General Hux
Played by Domhnall Gleeson
Fanatical First Order commander humiliated by Kylo
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Resistance fleet evacuates their base as the First Order fleet arrives, led by General Hux. Poe Dameron defies orders to stall for time, establishing the desperate situation and Poe's reckless heroism.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Luke throws the lightsaber over his shoulder and walks away, refusing to help. The hero Rey sought has rejected the call, disrupting her mission and the Resistance's hope for salvation.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 26 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 21% of the runtime. This shows the protagonist's commitment to Finn and Rose depart on their mission to Canto Bight to find the Master Codebreaker. Rey commits to staying on Ahch-To to convince Luke. Both storylines actively enter their Act 2 journeys: the heist mission and Rey's training/connection with Kylo., moving from reaction to action.
At 50 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 42% of the runtime—significantly early, compressing the first half. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Rey enters the dark side cave and faces the mirror sequence, desperately seeking answers about her parents but receiving none - only endless reflections of herself. False defeat: she realizes she's alone, with no special lineage to define her. This failure drives her toward Kylo., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 75 minutes (63% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Snoke tortures Rey and dominates her completely, forcing her to watch the Resistance fleet's destruction. Rey's mission to turn Kylo appears to have failed utterly, and she is helpless as the Resistance faces annihilation. The darkest moment: all hope seems lost., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 80 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 66% of the runtime. Luke Skywalker decides to act. He reconnects with the Force, tells Leia "No one's ever really gone," and projects himself across the galaxy. The synthesis: Rey learns she doesn't need a lineage or master to be powerful; Poe learns leadership; Luke embraces hope over exile., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Star Wars: The Last Jedi's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Star Wars: The Last Jedi against these established plot points, we can identify how the filmmaker utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Star Wars: The Last Jedi within its genre.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Resistance fleet evacuates their base as the First Order fleet arrives, led by General Hux. Poe Dameron defies orders to stall for time, establishing the desperate situation and Poe's reckless heroism.
Theme
Leia slaps Poe and demotes him after his costly victory, stating "There are things you cannot solve by jumping in an X-wing and blowing something up." Theme: Learning when to fight and when to retreat, leadership through sacrifice vs. heroics.
Worldbuilding
The Resistance fleet jumps to lightspeed but discovers the First Order can track them. Rey arrives at Ahch-To and finds Luke Skywalker, who refuses her lightsaber. Finn awakens and learns about the tracking technology. The stakes are established: the Resistance is being hunted with dwindling fuel.
Disruption
Luke throws the lightsaber over his shoulder and walks away, refusing to help. The hero Rey sought has rejected the call, disrupting her mission and the Resistance's hope for salvation.
Resistance
Rey pursues Luke, trying to convince him to return. Finn and Rose plan to disable the tracking device by infiltrating Snoke's ship. Rey receives fragmented lessons from Luke about the Force and the Jedi's failures. Kylo Ren and Rey begin experiencing Force-bond visions of each other.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Finn and Rose depart on their mission to Canto Bight to find the Master Codebreaker. Rey commits to staying on Ahch-To to convince Luke. Both storylines actively enter their Act 2 journeys: the heist mission and Rey's training/connection with Kylo.
Mirror World
Rey and Kylo's Force-bond deepens as they have their first real conversation. Kylo becomes Rey's thematic counterpoint - both seek belonging and purpose, both wrestling with light and dark. This relationship will teach Rey about redemption, failure, and choosing her own path.
Premise
The "fun and games" of three parallel storylines: Finn and Rose's adventure on Canto Bight with DJ; Rey training and connecting with Kylo through Force-bonds, learning about Luke's failure with Ben Solo; the Resistance fleet being slowly pursued, with Poe clashing with Holdo over leadership.
Midpoint
Rey enters the dark side cave and faces the mirror sequence, desperately seeking answers about her parents but receiving none - only endless reflections of herself. False defeat: she realizes she's alone, with no special lineage to define her. This failure drives her toward Kylo.
Opposition
Rey leaves Ahch-To for Snoke's ship, believing she can turn Kylo. Poe leads a mutiny against Holdo. Finn, Rose, and DJ infiltrate the First Order ship but are betrayed. Luke confronts his guilt over Ben Solo. All protagonists face mounting opposition and their plans begin to crumble.
Collapse
Snoke tortures Rey and dominates her completely, forcing her to watch the Resistance fleet's destruction. Rey's mission to turn Kylo appears to have failed utterly, and she is helpless as the Resistance faces annihilation. The darkest moment: all hope seems lost.
Crisis
Kylo kills Snoke and fights alongside Rey against the Praetorian Guards. A moment of hope - but then Kylo reveals his true intention: not redemption, but replacing Snoke with himself and Rey at his side. Rey refuses. They both pull on the lightsaber, destroying it. Rey escapes as the Resistance is devastated.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Luke Skywalker decides to act. He reconnects with the Force, tells Leia "No one's ever really gone," and projects himself across the galaxy. The synthesis: Rey learns she doesn't need a lineage or master to be powerful; Poe learns leadership; Luke embraces hope over exile.
Synthesis
The Battle of Crait: Luke's projection distracts Kylo while the Resistance escapes through the crystal caves. Rey arrives in the Falcon to lift the rocks and save them. Holdo sacrifices herself with the hyperspace ram. The Resistance survives with hope rekindled. Luke becomes one with the Force, at peace.
Transformation
The stable boy on Canto Bight uses the Force to grab his broom and gazes at the stars, wearing Rose's Resistance ring. The legend of Luke Skywalker has spread, igniting hope across the galaxy. The Resistance survives on the Falcon - small but unbroken, with Rey possessing the sacred Jedi texts.