Why do kylo ren and rey kiss

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Kylo Ren and Rey kiss in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) during the film's climax on the ruins of the Death Star II on the moon Kef Bir. This occurs after Rey defeats Emperor Palpatine and Kylo Ren (now Ben Solo) sacrifices his life force to revive her. The kiss represents a moment of romantic connection before Ben's death, though it's brief and not elaborated on in subsequent scenes.

Key Facts

The kiss occurs in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
It happens on the ruins of the Death Star II on Kef Bir
Ben Solo sacrifices his life force to revive Rey before the kiss
The kiss is brief and not followed by further romantic development
The film was directed by J.J. Abrams and released by Disney

Overview

The kiss between Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) and Rey occurs in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final film in the Skywalker saga released on December 20, 2019. This moment represents the culmination of their complex relationship that began in The Force Awakens (2015) where they first connected through the Force. Throughout the sequel trilogy, their relationship evolved from adversaries to Force-bonded allies with conflicting loyalties. Rey, a scavenger from Jakku discovered to be Emperor Palpatine's granddaughter, and Kylo Ren, the fallen son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, shared a unique Force connection that allowed them to communicate across vast distances. Their dynamic was central to the trilogy's themes of redemption, legacy, and the balance between light and dark sides of the Force.

How It Works

The kiss scene unfolds during the film's climax after Rey has defeated the resurrected Emperor Palpatine but collapses from the effort. Ben Solo, having renounced the dark side after seeing a vision of his father, arrives and uses the Force to transfer his life energy to revive her - a reversal of when he killed his father in The Force Awakens. This act of self-sacrifice completes his redemption arc. When Rey awakens, they share a moment of recognition and connection before kissing. The scene lasts approximately 15 seconds in the film's final cut. Director J.J. Abrams described it as representing "a connection that had been there all along" between the characters. The kiss isn't portrayed as a traditional romantic culmination but rather as an emotional punctuation to their shared journey.

Why It Matters

This moment generated significant discussion among Star Wars fans about character arcs and narrative choices in the sequel trilogy. Some viewers interpreted it as a romantic conclusion to the "Reylo" relationship that had been developing since The Last Jedi (2017), while others saw it as problematic given Kylo Ren's previous actions as a villain. The kiss represents one of the few overt romantic moments in the sequel trilogy and completes Ben Solo's redemption through an act of love. It also serves as narrative closure for two characters whose fates were intertwined through the Force. The scene's impact extends to broader discussions about redemption narratives in fantasy storytelling and how franchises handle complex character relationships.