'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Theory Posits Dark Twist in Rey's Future

Rey has been leaning toward the Light side of the Force ever since we met her in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but that could change in Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. With the identity of her parents still up in the air and the fight against the First Order in full force, a new theory suggests it’s her outfit that might be the biggest tell toward a turn to the Dark side in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

Speculative spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker below.

Before the release of Return of the Jedi back in 1983, some fans speculated that Luke Skywalker was actually fighting for the Dark side. Why? Well, all of the marketing and promo images for the film showed him wearing an all black outfit, an outfit that looked nothing like that of a Jedi. Since the color black has come to signify bad people doing bad things — especially in Star Wars — fans were concerned that it meant Luke had joined the Dark side. Obviously, Return of the Jedi cleared the air and confirmed Luke siding with the Rebels. Yes, the white flap in his outfit definitely helped with that.

Redditor u/vadrr21 posits that the opposite is true when it comes to Rey. Her all white outfit might actually prove to be a misdirect, and a twist might confirm her turn to the Dark side. Sure, she’s been a part of the Resistance since shortly after her introduction, but there’s really no telling where Rey’s journey will take her in Episode IX. There’s another theory that suggests Rey’s connection to Palpatine and his potential manipulation of her could lead to her turn to the Dark side while, get this, Kylo Ren will turn to the Light.

The reason many fans believed Luke had turned to the Dark side prior to Return of the Jedi was likely impacted by the reveal of Darth Vader being his father in Empire Strikes Back. The change in his outfit simply furthered that theory in an organic way. This line of thinking, however, has a strong correlation with the supposed identities of Rey’s parents in Episode VII. After all, she could throw in the towel after finding out they were nobodies who didn’t want her, right? That alone could drive her to the Dark side.

Could it be that her interactions with Kylo Ren have convinced her to join the Dark side? Will she betray her friends and the allies she’s made to fight alongside the First Order? Will Emperor Palpatine win her over?

There’s definitely a possibility, however small, that it could happen. Still, it’s not very likely considering who Rey is as a person and the struggles she has faced. After all, she had to contend with Snoke and Kylo’s attempted manipulation of her in The Last Jedi and was able to overcome their influence and fight back.

Then again, when Luke tried to train Rey, he definitely saw something dark in her. Remember this conversation?

Luke: You went straight to the dark.

Rey: That place was trying to show me something.

Luke: It offered something you needed. And you didn’t even try to stop yourself.

Rey: But I didn’t see you. Nothing from you. You’ve closed yourself off from the Force. Of course you have.

Luke: I’ve seen this raw strength only once before, in Ben Solo. It didn’t scare me enough then … it does now.

Still, at her core, Rey is a good person and doesn’t seem to be so easily corrupted. It’s also important to note that both theories are by the same Reddit user who, admittedly, seems invested in shifting the focus away from Rey as the hero. As it stands, the idea that she’d turn to the Dark side currently serves no true narrative purpose unless (surprise!) Disney decides to change that.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters December 20, 2019.