'Star Wars 9' theory: A 'Force Awakens' line reveals how Kylo defeats Palpatine

With all the latest Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker leaks explaining Emperor Palpatine’s return and how a few Force ghosts might return to help Rey defeat her potential grandfather, Kylo Ren’s “Bendemption” has been curbed. However, a fascinating new theory rejuvenates the idea of Kylo’s return to the Light and suggests that a line from The Force Awakens will reveal exactly how he’ll go on to defeat Palps.

Warning! Speculative spoilers ahead for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

So, we’ve all read about the leak — from the Making Star Wars and “Star Wars Leaks” moderator JediPaxis — about how good ole Palpatine will chuck Kylo into a deep hole, right? Well, over on Reddit, u/Sith81 theorizes that after Kylo falls into the pit, he’ll be visited by the spirits of everyone he’s killed or hurt in the past.

Startled by the cacophony of spirits’ voices, the theorist writes that “Ben shows that he is willing to confront his past, to own up to what he was and what he did, and make amends.”

Basically, the combination of the deep pit and past sins forces Kylo to change his ways just in time for the final battle with Palpatine. Who knew the pit could be a source of such restoration? It’s only after Ben Solo has accepted his past sins and vowed to make good on his return to the light that the Force ghost of Anakin Skywalker appears to him. Knowing his grandson has come back from the Dark side, Anakin asks Kylo to “Finish what I started.”

If you recall, it was Kylo who wanted to finish what Darth Vader started back in The Force Awakens, so everything’s coming full circle. In fact, this theory offers a clever way to connect Anakin’s Force ghost, Kylo’s redemption, and Palpatine’s return all at once. After all, Anakin’s original mission as the Chosen One was to bring balance to the Force and there’s no way to do that if Kylo’s still on the Dark side, right?

This isn’t the first theory to hint at Kylo’s redemption being the key to defeating Palps, either. One line from The Rise of Skywalker trailer may have been the first clue that it will be Ben Solo, not Kylo Ren, who will come together with Rey to defeat Palpatine.

There’s still a chance that Kylo’s hunger for power will be his undoing and the only reason he teams up with Rey is to ensure he remains the supreme leader of the First Order. However, given that it’s the final film in the Star Wars saga, it makes more sense if Kylo got the chance to be redeemed just like Darth Vader was in Return of the Jedi. And if Kylo’s redemption makes him stronger in the Force, then Palps truly doesn’t stand a chance.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is in theaters December 20.