The Atlantic

<i>The Last Jedi</i>: Who Will Turn Dark?

The mysterious new <em>Star Wars</em> trailer hints at a new take on the saga’s eternal theme.
Source: Disney

“I need someone to show me my place in all this,” says Rey, the hero of the new Star Wars trilogy and the presumed good-guy heir to Luke Skywalker. A helping hand is extended to her—by Kylo Ren, the presumed bad-guy heir to Darth Vader.

So ends the latest trailer for , the eighth film of the main saga (not counting efforts like the spin-off from last year). Details about Rian Johnson’s sequel to 2015’s , J.J. Abrams and Disney’s record-smashing reboot of the franchise, have been , and the latest preview doesn’t fill in a whole lot of new plot information. It does throw the fandom some prime-cut daydreaming material and merchandise bait: hulking the craggiest glimpse yet at Supreme Leader Snoke, glimmering foxes, a . It also hints at some darkly tinged themes—including the prospect of shifting alliances.

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Atlantic

The Atlantic4 min read
Your Phone Has Nothing on AM Radio
This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. There is little love lost between Senator Ted Cruz and Representative Rashida Tlaib. She has called him a “dumbass” for his opposition to the Paris Climate Agre
The Atlantic5 min read
The Strangest Job in the World
This is an edition of the Books Briefing, our editors’ weekly guide to the best in books. Sign up for it here. The role of first lady couldn’t be stranger. You attain the position almost by accident, simply by virtue of being married to the president
The Atlantic8 min readAmerican Government
The Most Consequential Recent First Lady
This article was featured in the One Story to Read Today newsletter. Sign up for it here. The most consequential first lady of modern times was Melania Trump. I know, I know. We are supposed to believe it was Hillary Clinton, with her unbaked cookies

Related Books & Audiobooks