In the sprawling saga of Star Wars, characters grapple with complex narratives, often underscored by themes of redemption and transformation. Kylo Ren, originally Ben Solo, stands out as a figure whose journey is punctuated by inner conflict and the pull between darkness and light. Despite numerous potential moments for redemption in the sequel trilogy, one pivotal opportunity stands starkly missed in “The Rise of Skywalker” – a moment that could have drastically reshaped the narrative and character arcs.

Kylo Ren’s portrayal as a conflicted antagonist with deep connections to the legacy of Darth Vader provided ample narrative soil for a redemptive arc. His complexity was established through his tumultuous relationship with his parents, Han Solo and Leia Organa, as well as his reverence for his grandfather’s villainous alter ego. This suggested that Kylo’s ultimate destiny might mirror Vader’s own last-minute redemption.

Throughout “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” Kylo Ren teeters on the edge of redemption and further descent into the dark side. His encounters with Rey especially emphasize this duality—a force-sensitive scavenger with an inexplicable bond to Kylo. Their dynamic is rich ground for exploring themes of choice, change, and moral ambiguity.

The missed opportunity for Kylo’s most profound redemptive moment arrives during “The Rise of Skywalker,” not in his final act of sacrifice but arguably earlier in the film when he faces the memory of his father Han Solo. While this scene was poignant, serving as a callback to Han’s death in “The Force Awakens,” it also played it safe by echoing past sentiments instead of breaking new ground.

Imagine a scene where Kylo Ren returns to the remnants of Starkiller Base, its skeletal structure marred by planetside decay yet haunted by echoes of the power it once held—a fitting metaphor for Kylo himself. Here he is confronted not just by memories but by tangible remnants of his past atrocities: wrecked TIE fighters, abandoned stormtrooper helmets—the detritus of a path walked and now regretted.

In this desolate setting, under a pallid light cast from a waning star, Kylo stumbles upon an object long forgotten: a holocron or perhaps a personal belonging that once belonged to Anakin Skywalker before his fall to Darth Vader. This artifact could serve as a conduit for him to witness firsthand Anakin’s own struggle with the dark side—his fears, hopes, failings, and ultimately, his return to light as portrayed in “Return of the Jedi.”

Such an experience would provide Kylo Ren with a direct parallel to his own journey—offering him the profound insight that redemption is never out of reach despite one’s previous actions. It would allow him internal reflection rather than external absolution—a chance to confront the darkness within himself through understanding rather than combat.

Had this scene replaced or preceded Han Solo’s memory pleading with him to come back to Leia—to come home—it could have offered audiences a deeper, more personal reason behind Kylo’s decision to lay down his saber and reclaim himself as Ben Solo. This would blend seamlessly into Leia reaching out to her son through the Force before her passing—a mother’s final plea synergizing with Anakin’s unspoken guidance.

Such an intimate moment would have significantly altered Kylo Ren’s arc in “The Rise of Skywalker,” giving it emotional weight grounded in character history rather than convenient plot mechanisms. It might also have provided fans with a more satisfying conclusion to his story—one rooted firmly in thematic resonance aligned with Star Wars’ enduring message about hope and transformation.