How Kylo Ren gives 'The Last Jedi' its ultimate Jedi mind trick
NOTE: Massive "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" spoilers ahead. Don't read if you haven't seen the film yet.
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Kylo Ren pulled off "The Last Jedi's" best Jedi mind trick.
You can almost see Adam Driver waving his fingers over your eyes and whispering, "I am not the hero you are looking for."
There is perhaps no moment more exciting in the latest "Star Wars" film than when Rey (Daisy Ridley) is being held captive by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Kylo Ren - and Snoke orders Kylo to kill Rey. But that doesn't happen. Instead, Snoke gets a surprise lightsaber to the gut and a Darth Maul-like slicing of an ending to his life, while viewers are treated to the most unlikely and unexpected "Star Wars" team-up since Darth Vader saved Luke Skywalker from Emperor Palpatine in "Return of the Jedi." The scene was almost as good as Duel of the Fates, when Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn had a lightsaber duel with Darth Maul, the rare prequel highlight that still ranks as the one of the best "Star Wars" moments.
With Kylo Ren and Rey side by side, lightsabers set to wreak havoc, the mind of a "Star Wars" fan begins to play tricks on itself.
Rey only allowed herself to be trapped by Snoke because she was convinced there was good, and remnants of Ben Solo, inside of Kylo Ren.
And as the pair begins teaming up against Snoke's red-armor clad Praetorian Guard, you can't blame yourself for thinking Kylo Ren has made a turn for the light side. There were hints throughout "The Last Jedi," from Kylo Ren not being able to execute his mother, Leia Organa, to his surprisingly understanding tone in his telepathic Force-fueled conversations with Rey.
What if this is the big twist of "The Last Jedi," you think, setting up a final episode IX where Kylo Ren and Rey are teaming up to bring the Jedi order back to what it once was?
But of course, you're wrong.
As Kylo Ren and Rey become the only two people breathing in the room, Rey realizes that Kylo Ren was just taking out the evil competition (Snoke).
There is no redemption - just revenge masked with perceived good intent. Kylo Ren puts an end to Snoke's verbal abuse and griping that he would never be Darth Vader, and gives Rey the option to join the evil empire he now overlooks, or get out of his way.
It's a roller coaster of emotions that happens over the course of minutes - and the moment will have implications for the last part of this "Star Wars" trilogy. Maybe there is still light in Kylo Ren and his redemption will come in J.J. Abrams's Episode IX. Or maybe these new "Star Wars" films will continue to surprise us, as "The Last Jedi" was full of moments we didn't think we'd see (especially the aftermath of the battle between Kylo Ren and Luke). Many might expect Kylo Ren will have Darth Vader-like redemption in the end - but perhaps it's Rey's destiny to take him down.
Kylo Ren is no hero. He's no Jedi. And he's shaping up to possibly be the most ruthless and blinded-by-rage "Star Wars" villain ever. If "The Last Jedi" taught us anything, however, it's never assume you know what Kylo Ren is thinking.