Rian Johnson Reveals What Rey's Mirror Scene Means In 'The Last Jedi'
Despite all the controversy surrounding Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, the film itself has some really awesome memorable moments that really stand out. One of the great moments in the film, is the cave scene on Ach-To, were Rey “supposedly” finds out the truth about her parents, and who they were.
This scene really left fans questioning Rey’s destiny, who her parents were, and what it all meant. On the 20th of February, 2021, USA Today best-selling author Sariah Wilson,= shared some details from her interview with The Last Jedi’s writer and director Rian Johnson. Johnson told Sariah, that the cave sequence was mostly “ Left open to [the viewer’s] interpretation”.
Johnson then followed by giving his own interpretation of the scene, by saying it is “Rey having to see that who she has to connect with and answer to is herself,” giving Rey her inner conflict with herself.
The scene itself resembles to the cave scene of Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, where Luke enters to discover his inner fear. At first, we see Luke fighting with Vader, yet when Vader is defeated, we see Luke’s face inside the helmet, telling us that Luke’s fear is himself. This is also shown in The Last Jedi, as both the cave on Ach-To and the cave on Dagobah are places strong with the Force, where you’ll find your deepest of fears.
To me, what the mirror scene shows is that Rey sees the conflict within herself. She also sees that she is afraid of not only herself, but the power within herself. She is conflicted about what to do. If she hears the calling of the dark side, should she take it? And if so, is that the right path? These are questions Rey is asking herself throughout the film. She seems very weak in her own thoughts most of the time, as well as very insecure.
The mirror also shows Rey that it truly does not matter who she was, or where she comes from, but what truly matters is, who she is now, and whom she will become. In many ways, the mirror is showing her the truth about herself, and what she truly needs to focus on, is herself.
In many ways, Luke and Rey are very similar. They both came from nothing, found out that they had an amazing power within them, and joined the Rebellion. They were also afraid of their own beliefs, and the power within themselves. Lots of fans didn’t understand the cave scene in The Empire Strikes Back as well. One must analyze these very well to understand what the storyteller is trying to show us.
I am more than sure that the cave scene from The Last Jedi speaks differently to everyone. For me at least, the scene shows Rey that she is her own self fear, and her own conflict. It also shows people how they were wrong before. All they wanted was to learn her past, yet it is her present that they should focus on.
Rian Johnson also believed that Rey’s conflict comes from within her, and judging by his response, he sees the fear within her. Although The Last Jedi remains to some fans as the worst film of the sequel era, to many it will be the best of not only the sequel era, but the entire Skywalker saga.
Love it or hate it, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi brought to us many different aspects of the Force. It showed us how Force projection can kill you, how the Force can link minds across the galaxy, and how it can be used to show you your fears.
Source(s): The Direct