Disney’s Star Wars Sequels Win New Praise for Deeper Characters

Overview

• Three July 18, 2026 opinion pieces reappraised Disney’s sequel trilogy and highlighted its focus on psychological complexity rather than simple echoes of the originals.
• The coverage credits Daisy Ridley’s Rey and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren with giving the sequels emotional weight through morally ambiguous arcs and visible inner conflict.
• Commentators point to The Last Jedi as the turning point that questioned Jedi legend and Skywalker bloodline determinism, changing who can be a hero in the franchise.
• Critics acknowledge real flaws, noting inconsistent story direction across the three films and that The Rise of Skywalker struggled to resolve choices made earlier in the trilogy.
• The pieces place this reappraisal against the larger Star Wars history: they note the original trilogy’s lasting cultural status and say the sequels’ ambition could reshape how future creators treat franchise legacy.