New Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Fan Theory Suggests an Emotional End for Kylo Ren and Rey

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker isn’t hitting theaters until December, but fans are already speculating about how the Skywalker Saga might conclude. While Lucasfilm has been reliably tight-lipped about the storyline beyond the first teaser trailer, it’s pretty safe to assume the relationship between Rey and Kylo Ren will be one of the main plot points.

The ambiguity of Rey and Kylo Ren’s relationship has piqued serious interest since 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, with fans wondering if the pair could be related or even romantically involved. The franchise has often played with the dichotomy between light and darkness, but the newest installations have really blurred the line between the two, creating a modern universe that allows for both to exist within one person.

We have seen this most obviously in the relationship between Rey and Kylo Ren as they struggle between good and evil, but what will it mean for the two as the end approaches?

According to Inverse, Redditor u/Brilee93 proposed an intriguing theory about Rey and Kylo Ren’s Force-connection, stating that the characters are "two halves of one whole." The user backs up this hypothesis by pointing to symbolism in the previous films, such as the ground between them splitting in The Force Awakens.

Inverse also points out that Rey’s connection to the Force seemed to grow more powerful the more the darkness within Kylo Ren grew, making it easier for her to best him in battle. This was evidenced when the Force became stronger in Rey, but weaker in Kylo Ren, immediately after he killed Han Solo in The Force Awakens.

The Redditor posits that, because of this Force connection, the two will remain connected—even when Kylo Ren inevitably dies. "Kylo dies redeeming himself, but he will live on through Rey," the Redditor writes. "The ending scene of [The Rise of Skywalker] is her looking at her reflection and seeing Ben looking back at her."

It does seem like Kylo Ren's arc is moving toward redemption, but if he ends up succumbing to the darkness completely, will Rey ever be able to escape their Force connection?

We’ll finally find out everything when The Rise of Skywalker debuts on December 20, 2019.