Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
N/A
Despite a blockbuster budget of $489.9M, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker became a box office success, earning $1074.1M worldwide—a 119% return. This commercial performance validated the ambitious narrative scope, confirming that audiences embrace unconventional structure 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
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) reveals carefully calibrated dramatic framework, characteristic of J.J. Abrams's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 22 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 6.6, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Rey
Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
Finn
Poe Dameron
Emperor Palpatine
Leia Organa
Luke Skywalker
Lando Calrissian
Main Cast & Characters
Rey
Played by Daisy Ridley
A powerful Force-sensitive scavenger who discovers her true heritage as Palpatine's granddaughter and takes the Skywalker name.
Kylo Ren / Ben Solo
Played by Adam Driver
The conflicted Supreme Leader of the First Order who ultimately redeems himself and returns to the light side.
Finn
Played by John Boyega
A former stormtrooper turned Resistance fighter who discovers he is Force-sensitive.
Poe Dameron
Played by Oscar Isaac
The Resistance's best pilot who becomes a leader in the fight against the Final Order.
Emperor Palpatine
Played by Ian McDiarmid
The resurrected Sith Lord who orchestrates the Final Order and seeks to reclaim the galaxy.
Leia Organa
Played by Carrie Fisher
Former princess and general of the Resistance who mentors Rey and reaches out to her son Ben in her final moments.
Luke Skywalker
Played by Mark Hamill
The legendary Jedi Master who appears as a Force ghost to guide Rey and lift his X-wing from the ocean.
Lando Calrissian
Played by Billy Dee Williams
The charismatic former smuggler and general who returns to help the Resistance in their final battle.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Kylo Ren slaughters his way through a dark planet to find a Sith wayfinder, establishing the desperate hunt for Emperor Palpatine. The Resistance is scattered and struggling while the First Order dominates the galaxy.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 18 minutes when The Resistance intercepts intelligence that Palpatine has returned and is broadcasting a threatening message across the galaxy. This impossible revelation disrupts everything and establishes the film's central threat.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 36 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, and the droids depart on the Millennium Falcon for Pasaana to find the wayfinder. They actively choose to pursue Palpatine despite the dangers, launching the adventure into Act 2., moving from reaction to action.
At 71 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Rey confronts Kylo Ren aboard his Star Destroyer and learns the devastating truth: she is Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter. This false defeat reframes her entire identity and raises the stakes dramatically., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 107 minutes (76% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, After stabbing Kylo and witnessing Leia's death through the Force, Rey flees to Ahch-To in despair. She burns the wayfinder and Luke's lightsaber, ready to exile herself forever. Leia's death provides the literal "whiff of death" at the low point., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 113 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Force-ghost Luke appears, catches the lightsaber, and tells Rey: "A Jedi's weapon deserves more respect." He gives her Leia's lightsaber and his wayfinder, telling her to face Palpatine. Rey synthesizes her training with acceptance of who she chooses to be., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker against these established plot points, we can identify how J.J. Abrams 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 Rise of Skywalker within the n/a genre.
J.J. Abrams's Structural Approach
Among the 6 J.J. Abrams films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 6.9, demonstrating varied approaches to story architecture. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete J.J. Abrams filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional n/a films include Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, I Care a Lot and The Blackening. For more J.J. Abrams analyses, see Star Trek, Super 8 and Mission: Impossible III.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Kylo Ren slaughters his way through a dark planet to find a Sith wayfinder, establishing the desperate hunt for Emperor Palpatine. The Resistance is scattered and struggling while the First Order dominates the galaxy.
Theme
Leia tells Rey during training: "Never be afraid of who you are." This statement of identity and legacy becomes the central thematic question Rey must answer throughout the film.
Worldbuilding
The setup establishes the post-Last Jedi status quo: Rey training with Leia, Finn and Poe on missions, the Resistance rebuilding, and the revelation that Emperor Palpatine has returned and is amassing a Final Order fleet on Exegol.
Disruption
The Resistance intercepts intelligence that Palpatine has returned and is broadcasting a threatening message across the galaxy. This impossible revelation disrupts everything and establishes the film's central threat.
Resistance
The Resistance debates how to respond to Palpatine's return. Luke's research points to Exegol and a Sith wayfinder. Rey learns she must find the wayfinder on Pasaana, guided by Luke's journal. Leia prepares them for the journey ahead.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie, and the droids depart on the Millennium Falcon for Pasaana to find the wayfinder. They actively choose to pursue Palpatine despite the dangers, launching the adventure into Act 2.
Mirror World
On Pasaana, the group encounters Lando Calrissian, who knew Luke and shares wisdom about their mission. He represents the thematic legacy of the past generation and their sacrifices, mirroring Rey's struggle with her own heritage.
Premise
The adventure delivers on the promise: a desert festival on Pasaana, lightsaber battles with Kylo, Rey discovering she can Force heal, the revelation of her Palpatine lineage, Kijimi with Babu Frik, and the recovery of 3PO's memories leading them closer to Exegol.
Midpoint
Rey confronts Kylo Ren aboard his Star Destroyer and learns the devastating truth: she is Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter. This false defeat reframes her entire identity and raises the stakes dramatically.
Opposition
The pressure intensifies as the group travels to Kef Bir to find the second wayfinder. Rey battles her dark heritage. The confrontation with Kylo on the Death Star wreckage escalates until Rey stabs him, then heals him when Leia dies reaching out to her son.
Collapse
After stabbing Kylo and witnessing Leia's death through the Force, Rey flees to Ahch-To in despair. She burns the wayfinder and Luke's lightsaber, ready to exile herself forever. Leia's death provides the literal "whiff of death" at the low point.
Crisis
Rey sits alone on Ahch-To in her dark night, ready to abandon everything. She processes the loss of Leia and her fear of her Palpatine identity. This is her moment of deepest doubt before finding new resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Force-ghost Luke appears, catches the lightsaber, and tells Rey: "A Jedi's weapon deserves more respect." He gives her Leia's lightsaber and his wayfinder, telling her to face Palpatine. Rey synthesizes her training with acceptance of who she chooses to be.
Synthesis
The finale: Rey flies to Exegol while the Resistance launches a desperate attack on the Final Order fleet. Rey confronts Palpatine, redeemed Ben Solo arrives to help her, and Rey declares "I am all the Jedi" before destroying Palpatine with the combined power of both lightsabers.
Transformation
Rey returns to the Lars homestead on Tatooine and buries Luke and Leia's lightsabers. When asked her name, she looks at the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia and answers: "Rey Skywalker." She has chosen her identity and legacy.