Note: This post was originally published on Audible.com.
Among the most prevalent themes in the Star Wars saga is that of family, of the intergenerational connections that forge lasting legacies. And in the Skywalker family, these connections are all the more significant. Their familial strength in the Force and the push-and-pull between Light and Dark adds an additional complication to your typical family drama. There is perhaps no character that embodies the significance of the past and the possibilities of the present better than Ben Solo, initially introduced as the villainous Kylo Ren.
Portrayed with immense depth through the meticulous character work of Academy Award nominee Adam Driver, Solo is one of the most compelling figures of the sequel trilogy. From his arrival in The Force Awakens to his eventual redemption, Ben Solo’s arc is not only demonstrative of the significance of lineage and personal history but also captures the impact of love, connection, and belonging.
Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for the Star Wars franchise. Please note that this character guide is based on the current canon as defined by Lucasfilm.
Who is Ben Solo? Who are Ben Solo’s parents?
Ben Solo is the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo, born in 5 ABY on the day the Galactic Civil War officially came to an end. He was named after Obi-Wan “Ben” Kenobi, the Jedi Master who aided in Leia’s rescue from the Death Star only five years earlier. He was a fairly happy child, content in the presence of his mother and father, and he demonstrated strong abilities with the Force early on in his life. That being said, Organa’s political career and Solo’s smuggling business often left Ben lonesome and desperate for a semblance of human connection.
Leia grew worried about Ben, seeing parallels between her son’s behaviors and the darkness that consumed her father, Anakin, eventually leading to his downfall as Sith Lord Darth Vader—a familial connection kept hidden from young Ben. So, when Ben is 10 years old, Leia and Han send their son to train as a Jedi Apprentice under Leia’s brother, Luke Skywalker. Though Ben is an apt pupil, Luke’s attempts at protecting his nephew only make him feel increasingly cut off from his peers and family. Supreme Leader Snoke, who is aware of Ben’s connection to Vader, seizes this opportunity to reach out through the Force and manipulate the vulnerable young apprentice toward seeking the Dark Side.
Nonetheless, Ben remains in good spirits with his peers at Luke’s training academy. He is an exceptional student and demonstrates an unparalleled aptitude with the Force, whether it be in sparring or meditation. But then everything falls apart: Leia faces censure in the Galactic Senate for her familial connection to Vader after her parentage is publicly exposed. With Ben’s lineage out in the open and Snoke’s meddling more insidious than ever, a darkness begins to boil within Ben Solo.
