One of the most compelling elements of the Star Wars sequel trilogy (2015’s The Force Awakens, 2017’s The Last Jedi, and 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker) is the dynamic, complicated connection between the First Order’s Kylo Ren and Jakuu scavenger Rey, who aligns with the Resistance. While Kylo projects a cold, calculating demeanor, he is torn apart by his real identity. Beneath the mask, he is still Ben Solo, the son of Princess-turned-Senator-turned-General Leia Organa and smuggler Han Solo, a young man struggling to find his place in a galaxy torn apart by war. This search for identity is also familiar to Rey, who was—to the best of her knowledge—abandoned by her family on the desert planet Jakku. With no knowledge of who her family is or where she truly belongs, Rey is also coping with feeling untethered and lost.
Through telepathic conversations using the Force, Rey and Ben come to an understanding of one another, seeing the parallels in their stories despite incredible differences in ideology. Rey recognizes Ben’s inner conflict and encourages him toward the light while Ben seeks a companion to join him in the dark. Ultimately, their relationship is revealed to be a prophecy brought to fruition.
Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for the Star Wars franchise. Please note that this character guide is based on the current canon as defined by Lucasfilm.
What is a Force dyad?
A Force dyad is the name given to a pair of Force-sensitive beings who are united in the Force and capable of feats including Force-healing and telepathic and sensory communication across lightyears. The existence of such a coupling was prophesied for generations, denoted in runes left by the Sith Eternal, but yet to be fulfilled until Rey and Ben Solo crossed paths.
As demonstrated by Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo throughout The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, a Force dyad wields immense power. Capable of communicating with one another telepathically from different points in the galaxy, sensing their partner’s surroundings and emotions, healing wounds, and even resurrecting the dead, the abilities of those in a dyad are truly remarkable—and thus desired by those with ill-intent. At the conclusion of Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker, the reincarnated Emperor Palpatine (also known as Sith Lord Darth Sidious) faces off with Rey and Ben (who has since renounced the moniker of Kylo Ren). Palpatine begins to drain the pair of their spirits in an attempt to restore his power. Upon feeling the strength of their united energy, Palpatine remarks: "The lifeforce of your bond—a dyad in the Force. A power like life itself, unseen for generations."
What is the connection between Kylo Ren and Rey?
As Kylo Ren himself says in The Rise of Skywalker, he and Rey are bonded not just by their familial legacies (Ren as the grandson of Darth Vader and Rey as the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine) but by their unique connection in the Force. In an attempt to get Rey to join him, Kylo explains, "My mother was the daughter of Vader. Your father was the son of the Emperor. What Palpatine doesn’t know is we’re a dyad in the Force, Rey. Two that are one." Simply put, Kylo Ren and Rey are the long-prophesied Force dyad and the dynamic between them reflects that significant bond.
At another point, in The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren’s Master, Supreme Leader Snoke, refers to Rey as Kylo’s "equal in the light." And while it may be tempting to view them as diametrically opposed characters, what makes their Force kinship so powerful is that they do not individually reflect the Dark and the Light. Rey and Ben Solo are characters who reject absolutism, embodying elements of both sides of the Force that together represent a kind of balance. The connection between them is strengthened by their vulnerability with one another; they are able to commiserate and recognize shared feelings of loneliness, loss, and fear.
Rey also recognizes the immense conflict in Ben. Able to sense his most deeply hidden emotions, she is compelled to bring him back towards the Light. Contrarily, Ben seeks Rey’s companionship and for her to join forces with him so that they might defeat Palpatine and ascend to power. Following a contentious lightsaber duel on Kef Bir, Rey delivers a surely fatal blow to Kylo before healing him using the Force. Shortly thereafter, Ben makes the decision to shed his Dark Side alter ego, embrace his identity, and join Rey as she sets out to confront Palpatine on Exegol.
Perhaps the most compelling moment demonstrating their connection arrives just before it is cut short. Rey, having had much of energy drained by Palpatine, musters the last of her strength and the courage of the Jedi who have come before her to reflect the Emperor’s Force lightning back at him, defeating him once and for all. Ben makes his way to Rey’s body before sacrificing himself to restore her life. It is a redemptive arc for Ben Solo that seems particularly fitting considering his grandfather Anakin’s desire to circumvent death and protect the one he loved most.
Why do Rey and Ben kiss?
Directly after Rey has been revived by Ben, she knows he likely only has moments before he becomes one with the Force, and she hurriedly kisses him. As explained in The Rise of Skywalker: Expanded Edition by Rae Carson, Rey kissed Kylo as a gesture of "gratitude, acknowledgment of their connection, celebration that they’d found each other at last." Tragically, Ben passes on immediately after, leaving Rey devastated at the loss of the sense of unity she had finally found after years spent on her own. To this end, Ben reaches out in the Force to comfort her, reminding her that he will always be with her.
Relive the saga of the Force dyad
First Order warrior Kylo Ren and Resistance-aligned scavenger Rey cross paths for the first time.
Kylo and Rey begin to explore the peculiar bond that connects them, communicating across time and space.
Ben Solo finds redemption and fights alongside Rey, fully coming into their power as a dyad.
