When Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hit theatres in December 2015, it was more than just another film release — it was a cultural phenomenon. Ten years had passed since Revenge of the Sith, and over three decades since Return of the Jedi closed the original trilogy. Expectations were astronomical. Fans across generations flocked to see how the next chapter in the galaxy far, far away would unfold — and how the legacy of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia would live on.
Directed by J.J. Abrams and produced under Disney’s new stewardship of Lucasfilm, The Force Awakens was tasked with reviving the magic of Star Wars for a new generation while honouring the mythic weight of its past. The result was a triumphant return to the galaxy — a film that introduced compelling new heroes and villains, reignited the spirit of adventure and wonder that defined the original trilogy, and laid the foundation for a new saga.
A Galaxy After the Empire
Set roughly 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens begins in a galaxy still struggling to recover from the collapse of the Galactic Empire. Though the Rebellion’s victory at Endor ended the Emperor’s reign, peace remains elusive. In its place, a sinister new power has risen: the First Order, born from the remnants of the Empire and determined to restore its former glory.
Opposing them is the Resistance, a smaller, scrappier military force backed by the New Republic and led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher). Leia’s primary mission is to find her brother, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last Jedi, who vanished years earlier after one of his students — Ben Solo, Leia’s son — turned to the dark side and destroyed his fledgling Jedi Order.
Both the Resistance and the First Order are searching for Luke, each for their own reasons. The First Order fears his return would spark a new generation of Jedi, while the Resistance sees him as their best hope for restoring balance to the Force.
A New Generation of Heroes
The heart of The Force Awakens lies in the introduction of new characters — ordinary individuals drawn into extraordinary circumstances — whose journeys mirror, yet refresh, the mythic arcs of the original trilogy.
Rey – The Scavenger with a Hidden Past
Rey (Daisy Ridley) is introduced as a solitary scavenger on the desert planet Jakku, eking out a living salvaging parts from wrecked Imperial ships. Abandoned as a child and waiting for a family who may never return, Rey is resourceful, resilient, and fiercely independent. But her life changes forever when she encounters a small droid, BB-8, carrying a fragment of a map that leads to Luke Skywalker.
Rey’s journey — from anonymous scavenger to a hero with a powerful connection to the Force — is the beating heart of the film. Her arc embodies one of Star Wars’ most enduring themes: that greatness can come from the humblest beginnings.
Finn – The Stormtrooper Who Defected
Finn (John Boyega) is another compelling new figure — a stormtrooper designated FN-2187 who, horrified by the First Order’s brutality, deserts during his first battle. His decision to flee sets him on a path of self-discovery and redemption. Though initially motivated by survival, Finn gradually embraces the fight against tyranny, becoming a courageous Resistance fighter and loyal friend.
Poe Dameron – The Ace Pilot
Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is the Resistance’s best pilot and one of Leia’s most trusted agents. He’s charismatic, fearless, and embodies the swashbuckling spirit of Han Solo and Luke Skywalker rolled into one. Poe’s bond with Finn — forged during a daring escape from the First Order — gives the story a dynamic energy and sets up one of the saga’s most beloved friendships.
Old Heroes, New Battles
The Force Awakens also reintroduces some of Star Wars’ most iconic characters, showing how time has changed them — and how their pasts still shape the galaxy’s future.
Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) return in spectacular fashion, now working as smugglers again after losing the Millennium Falcon and enduring personal tragedies. Han and Leia’s son, Ben, fell to the dark side and became Kylo Ren, driving a wedge between them. Han’s arc is deeply poignant: the once-reluctant hero is now a seasoned veteran who must confront his greatest failure — his son — and make one final, heartbreaking stand.
Leia Organa, now a general, has never stopped fighting. Her leadership of the Resistance underscores her enduring strength and dedication to justice, but it also reveals her personal pain. Despite all she’s achieved, Leia has lost both her brother and her son to darkness.
And then there’s Luke Skywalker — though absent for most of the film, his shadow looms large. His disappearance drives the story forward, and his legend is what both the Resistance and the First Order fear and hope to harness.
A New Dark Side: Kylo Ren and the First Order
Every great Star Wars story needs a compelling villain, and The Force Awakens introduces one of the saga’s most complex: Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Born Ben Solo, the son of Han and Leia, Kylo was once Luke’s apprentice before falling under the influence of Supreme Leader Snoke, a dark side master and the leader of the First Order.
Kylo is not the polished villain that Darth Vader was in A New Hope; he is volatile, conflicted, and torn between the light and dark sides of the Force. His idolisation of his grandfather Vader drives his ambition, but his inability to fully embrace darkness makes him unpredictable and dangerous.
The First Order itself is a chilling echo of the Empire. With General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) commanding its military and Snoke manipulating events from the shadows, it wields fear and destruction on a galactic scale. Its superweapon, Starkiller Base, is capable of annihilating entire star systems — a terrifying escalation from the Death Star of old.
The Hero’s Journey Reimagined
One of the most striking aspects of The Force Awakens is how it mirrors the structure and spirit of A New Hope while introducing fresh perspectives. Critics and fans noted the familiar beats: a desert orphan drawn into a galactic conflict, a droid carrying vital information, a planet-destroying superweapon, and a climactic assault.
But this was intentional. J.J. Abrams and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan crafted The Force Awakens as a modern mythic reboot, reintroducing the core elements of Star Wars to a new generation. By echoing the original trilogy, the film creates a bridge between past and present — a story that honours what came before while paving the way for something new.
Rey’s journey embodies Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey” archetype that Lucas drew on in the 1970s: the call to adventure, the discovery of hidden power, the confrontation with evil, and the beginning of transformation. Yet Rey is no mere copy of Luke Skywalker. Her journey is deeply personal — a search for belonging, identity, and purpose.
Key Moments and Emotional Highs
The Force Awakens is filled with memorable scenes that rekindle the magic of Star Wars while introducing new emotional depth:
- Rey’s Awakening: Rey’s first encounter with Luke’s lightsaber on Takodana triggers a haunting Force vision — a glimpse into the past and future that hints at her mysterious origins and destiny.
- Finn vs. Kylo: Finn’s courage is on full display as he wields Luke’s lightsaber against Kylo Ren, standing up to a vastly more powerful foe in defense of his friends.
- Rey’s Duel: Rey’s climactic lightsaber duel with Kylo is a thrilling moment of transformation. As she embraces the Force, she holds her own and defeats him — a symbolic rise of new hope against the dark side.
- Han’s Death: Perhaps the most emotional scene of the film is Han Solo’s confrontation with his son. Han’s plea for Ben to come home ends in tragedy as Kylo murders his father, severing his last tie to the light. It’s a shocking, heartbreaking moment that underscores Kylo’s commitment to the dark side — and sets the stage for his continued struggle.
The film concludes on a quiet, powerful note: Rey travels to the remote planet Ahch-To, where she finds Luke Skywalker. Wordlessly, she offers him his old lightsaber — a symbol of hope, legacy, and the future of the Jedi.
Themes: Legacy, Identity, and the Power of Hope
At its core, The Force Awakens is a story about legacy — how the past shapes the present and how new generations rise to face old evils. The shadow of the Empire lingers in the First Order, just as the legacy of the Jedi lives on in Rey. Han, Leia, and Luke’s stories are not over, but they now serve as mentors and symbols for those who will carry the fight forward.
Identity is another central theme. Rey grapples with her forgotten past and uncertain future, Finn redefines himself beyond a number and a uniform, and Kylo struggles with the pull between his heritage and his choices. These arcs give the film emotional weight and depth, grounding its epic story in deeply human struggles.
Above all, The Force Awakens is about hope — the enduring belief that light will always rise to meet darkness. It’s about ordinary individuals discovering extraordinary strength, and about the power of courage, friendship, and resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.
Legacy and Impact
The Force Awakens was both a commercial and cultural juggernaut. It shattered box office records, grossing over $2 billion worldwide, and reestablished Star Wars as a dominant force in modern cinema. Its blend of nostalgia and innovation brought longtime fans back to theatres while captivating a new generation.
Critics praised its energy, emotional resonance, and strong performances — especially Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver’s nuanced portrayals of Rey and Kylo Ren. Some criticised its reliance on familiar story beats, but most agreed it successfully reignited the franchise and set the stage for future stories.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens is more than a sequel — it is a rebirth. It honors the mythic roots of Star Wars while charting a bold new course for the saga. Through Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren, it introduces a new generation of heroes and villains whose journeys are just beginning. Through Han, Leia, and Luke, it shows how the past continues to shape the future — and how even legends must pass the torch.
Most importantly, The Force Awakens captures the essence of what makes Star Wars timeless: the struggle between light and dark, the hope that endures even in the darkest times, and the belief that anyone — no matter how humble their origins — can change the fate of the galaxy.
It is a thrilling, emotional, and deeply human story — one that proves the Force is as powerful as ever.
