The ending of Star Wars movies in order, the final entry is The Rise of Skywalker, the defining installment of the sequel trilogy, and the last in the mainline Skywalker Saga.

The Rise of Skywalker is certainly an interesting movie regarding its reception. Upon release, critical reviews saw it Rey's new Jedi Order Star Wars movie promising to take the franchise beyond The Rise of Skywalker, it is worth exploring the ending of the latter and how it symbolically teases what is to come. The ending in question sees Rey returning to Tatooine, burying the lightsabers of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa in the sand beneath the iconic twin suns.

The Burial Of The Lightsabers Signified The End Of The Saga

The Age Of The Skywalkers Is Coming To An End

Leia and Anakin Skywalker's lightsabers laying on a cloth in The Rise of Skywalker as Rey is about to bury them on Tatooine

The primary symbolism of Rey burying the lightsabers was the ending of the Skywalker Saga itself. Since the sequel trilogy was created as a continuation of George Lucas' six-movie arc, the nine films have been dubbed the Skywalker Saga. Of course, the reason for this is the heavy focus on three generations of Skywalker, from Anakin in the prequels to Luke and Leia in the original and Ben Solo in the sequels.

Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa stand very close to one another from A New Hope
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The two lightsabers held by Rey at the end of The Rise of Skywalker belonged to the Skywalkers primarily, with one being the weapon of Anakin, Luke, and briefly Ben Solo, and the other wielded by Leia. As of the end of the sequel trilogy, Ben is killed, while Luke and Leia become one with the Force as two of Star Wars' Force Ghosts. Despite being able to manifest in this way, the ending of The Rise of Skywalker signifies that they can rest in peace and their saga is now over, typified by the burying of their lightsabers.

Rey Now Embodies The Skywalker Legacy

The Skywalker Name Continues Through Rey

The burying of Luke and Leia's lightsaber connects to another thematic element of The Rise of Skywalker's ending. While their lightsaber burial signifies that the Skywalker Saga is over, there is a way the film proves the legacy of the family will live on. This comes in the form of Rey herself, with the apprentice of both Luke and Leia taking on the name Skywalker to usher the galaxy, and the iconic family, into a new era.

Now, the future of the Star Wars timeline will be defined by the Skywalkers again, only this time through new means via Rey and the Jedi Order she will inevitably rebuild...

While not a Skywalker by blood, a theme of the sequel trilogy - especially Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - explores Rey's choice to move beyond familial connections, and not letting a bloodline define her. In taking on the Skywalker name with Luke and Leia's approval, this theme is fulfilled. Now, the future of the Star Wars timeline will be defined by the Skywalkers again, only this time through new means via Rey and the Jedi Order she will inevitably rebuild to spread light across the galaxy once more.

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Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
PG-13
Adventure
Action
Science Fiction
6/10
49
5.5/10
Release Date
December 18, 2019
Runtime
142 minutes
Director
J.J. Abrams

Cast

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the Skywalker saga with Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron leading the Resistance against the First Order. As the final battle unfolds, they draw upon the wisdom and strength of previous generations to confront their adversaries. Released in 2019, the film concludes the sequel trilogy.

Writers
Chris Terrio