--- title: "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker" critics_score: 59 critics_reviews: 18 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 59 from 18 reviews: 7 positive, 6 mixed, 5 negative. The reviews split almost evenly, and the overall lean is only just positive. Where critics agree is on the cast: Adam Driver is praised in nearly every notice, Daisy Ridley in most, and the scenes between Rey and Kylo Ren are picked out as the film’s emotional centre even by those who dislike the rest. The set pieces, effects and production values are admired across the board, and several reviews credit Abrams with pace and a fluent handling of the saga’s legacy. The reservations cluster on fan service and caution. Many critics find the film rushed and overcrowded, and a large group call it a retreat from The Last Jedi into safe nostalgia, with little new to say. The spread is unusually wide, from raves at The Telegraph and Variety to the Los Angeles Times calling it a failure of nerve and Polygon and The Ringer judging it a creative defeat. British outlets are noticeably kinder than American ones. ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2019. Abrams delivers a roaring success with swashbuckling spectacle, emotional core in the Rey-Ren relationship, and a satisfying, heartfelt conclusion that feels precious despite some early pacing issues. The film excels in world-building, set pieces and thematic sense. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/2019/12/19/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-jj-abrams-heroes-ending/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. It is the most elegant, emotionally rounded and gratifying Star Wars adventure since the original films, with strong performances especially from Daisy Ridley. The film has rousing action and timely resonance despite some length and conveniences. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-daisy-ridley-adam-driver-jj-abrams-1203445811/) ## The Times — Tom Shone Rating ★★★★. 22 December 2019. Abrams brings the series to a satisfying conclusion with a swift, racy, superbusy send-off that confirms his fluency with the material. The film handles the legacy and haunted elements of the franchise well while delivering the expected spectacle. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/article/film-reviews-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-and-cats-f759hp3t7) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Rating 4/5. 18 December 2019. Abrams delivers a bumpy but ultimately satisfying ride packed with action, emotion, callbacks and fan service. The quiet moments and perfect ending are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review/) ## Sight and Sound — Rebecca Harrison Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2019. The film is an energetic caper that ties loose ends with dexterity and offers a warm, enjoyable if flawed experience full of fan service and nostalgia. It praises the sense of hope, strong performances especially from Adam Driver, and moments of community and kindness amid its breathless pace and occasional character sidelining. [Read the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/star-wars-episode-ix-rise-skywalker-review-new-hope-springs-eternal) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film is the send-off the saga deserves but largely the one expected, with epic action and efficient storytelling that ties up loose ends within a coherent if cumbersome narrative. It benefits from momentum, visual flair and mythic grandeur but offers little in the way of surprises or deep character exploration. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/dec/18/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-death-is-not-the-end-in-new-trilogys-laborious-exit) ## IndieWire Rating C+. 18 December 2019. Abrams delivers a costly tribute to the franchise that is spectacular yet uninspired, fixated on fan service and expectations while playing into the bottom line. It benefits from strong performances by the core cast and stunning effects but has a hollow core. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-1202198018/) ## Radio Times — Huw Fullerton Rating 3/5. 18 December 2019. The film has its moments with sweet nods to the past and great performances but is ultimately a messy, rushed smorgasbord that backtracks on prior elements and feels like a shrug rather than a satisfying conclusion. It singles out strong acting from Adam Driver and emotional final scenes for praise while complaining about cramped plotting and fan-service overreach. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-more-of-a-shrug-than-an-air-punch/) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film feels like a step backwards from The Last Jedi and makes the trilogy disjointed overall. Strong performances from Ridley and Driver, along with visual craft, stand out amid the mixed execution. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film is eventful but not entirely satisfactory as it concludes the Skywalker saga. It succeeds as escapist entertainment with stupendous production values and striking images but has nagging problems that have become more pronounced. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/star-wars-rise-skywalker-review-1263578/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film is one of the best and one of the worst in the series, perfectly middling overall. It is not a great Star Wars movie but enjoyable enough in its familiar, crowd-pleasing way. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review.html) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film is a zippy but craven disappointment and an epic failure of nerve, retreating from the boldness of The Last Jedi into safe nostalgia. It remains a swift, vigorous entertainment thanks to strong craft and performances, especially Adam Driver's. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-18/star-wars-review-the-rise-of-skywalker-last-jedi) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The film is a formulaic, crowd-pleasing cartoon that hits its marks but moves so quickly that little emotion sinks in. It has dazzlingly expensive visuals and gung-ho spirit but feels like a Disney product more than a personal vision. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-episode-ix.html) ## HeyUGuys — Amanda Keats Rating 4/5. 18 December 2019. The film is a little jarring and disjointed in parts but an exhilarating and emotional end to the saga, full of action, delight and visual splendour. It singles out the electrifying chemistry and conflict between Rey and Kylo Ren for praise while complaining about strobe lighting and a screenplay that juggles too many strands without enough focus. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2019. The film delivers every expected plot beat with ruthless efficiency and precision as the saga concludes, but its slick, calculated approach and heavy fan service make it feel ultimately unfulfilling and soulless. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker-film-review-jj-abrams-2019/) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 2.5 out of 5. 18 December 2019. The critic finds it a box-ticking exercise with a flimsy narrative and no distinct point of view, though well-acted and exciting in parts. Praises the performances, especially Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, and some set pieces. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review/) ## Polygon — Tasha Robinson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2019. The critic finds the film a defeat, obsessively copying the past in a safe, timid way that feels like an admission of creative defeat, with frantic pacing but little character development or new ideas. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/reviews/2019/12/18/21024586/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-review-spoiler-free) ## The Ringer — Ben Lindbergh Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2019. The film is soulless and tethered to the past, a misconceived rehash that diminishes the saga without new ideas or messages. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/12/20/movies/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-review-saga-ending) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md