The Sequel After The Force Awakens
The Star Wars movie that followed The Force Awakens is The Last Jedi, released in 2017. Directed by Rian Johnson, it advances the conflict with the First Order while reshaping Luke Skywalker’s path and deepening storylines for Rey, Finn, and Poe. This article explains The Last Jedi’s narrative role, how it connects to the broader sequel arc, and where it leads into The Rise of Skywalker, the concluding episode of the Skywalker sequel saga.
Key Releases In The Post-Force Awakens Arc
| Title | Release Year | Director | Primary Narrative Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Jedi | 2017 | Rian Johnson | Develop sequel conflict, challenge legacy figures |
| The Rise of Skywalker | 2019 | J.J. Abrams | Conclude the Skywalker sequel storyline |
The Last Jedi: Narrative Purpose And Themes
The Last Jedi reframes the hero’s journey established in The Force Awakens, emphasizing failure, resilience, and institutional critique. It interrogates mythmaking through Luke’s exile, Rey’s lineage ambiguity, and the Resistance’s vulnerability. Its visual and tonal contrasts—between meditative introspection and fleet combat—aim to expand Star Wars beyond traditional expectations while maintaining franchise continuity.
Character Turning Points
- Luke Skywalker moves from legend to reluctant mentor, accepting fallibility.
- Rey seeks belonging and ancestry amid uncertainty about her parents.
- Kylo Ren consolidates power, intertwining identity with legacy rejection.
The Rise Of Skywalker: Context Within The Sequels
As the finale, The Rise of Skywalker revisits stakes established by The Last Jedi, aiming to resolve the sequel arc’s mysteries. It recalibrates the Skywalker bloodline’s significance, answers lingering questions about Palpatine’s return, and attempts to reconcile thematic throughlines introduced two films prior. The movie positions itself as both closure and a renewed invitation to imagine what comes next.
How The Films Connect To The Larger Saga
The post-Force Awakens arc exists within the sequel era’s nine-film framework, bridging the original and new trilogies. The Last Jedi deliberately challenges inherited structures, whereas The Rise of Skywalker balances fan expectations with forward-looking worldbuilding. Together, they form a distinct chapter that engages with legacy while testing new narrative forms.
Reception, Legacy, And Ongoing Discussions
Critical and audience reception to The Last Jedi remains divided, highlighting tensions between innovation and tradition in long-running franchises. Discourse persists around representation, authorship, and continuity choices. These conversations influence how the broader sequel era is studied and remembered, shaping expectations for future Star Wars storytelling.
Conclusion: What Comes After The Force Awakens
The Star Wars movie after The Force Awakens is The Last Jedi, a continuation that reframes the saga’s next phase through experimentation and character-driven stakes. Its evolution into The Rise of Skywalker underscores the sequel era’s ambition to reconcile legacy with change, making it central to understanding the modern Star Wars narrative landscape.