Is 'The Last Jedi' Too Different From Past 'Star Wars' Movies? Rian Johnson Divided Twitter With Episode VIII

Daisy Ridley in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
Daisy Ridley plays Rey in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” Lucasfilm

Star Wars: The Last Jedi has arrived, and Twitter is offering an array of emotions.

After record audiences attended midnight screenings of the eighth installment of the Skywalker saga Thursday night, social media was abuzz with a mix of jubilation and despair about writer-director Rian Johnson's movie.

According to Deadline, The Last Jedi is expected to collect around $45 million from midnight screenings alone. But what are people saying?

Let's start with the positive reactions, which praised the film for charting its own course and not feeling too beholden to George Lucas's original Star Wars films. Many also praised the movie's humor and Adam Driver's performance as villain Kylo Ren.

Last Jedi is my favorite Star Wars film of the last 34 years.

Rian Johnson is the chosen one.

— Andrew Mayne (@AndrewMayne) December 15, 2017

#TheLastJedi is everything I wanted and more. I am in complete awe of @rianjohnson and this film. @HamillHimself is astounding. #AdamDriverforBestSupportingActor @JohnBoyega is incredible. The new cast is unreal. #CarrieFisher goes out like a God. And #DaisyRidley is the new God.

— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 15, 2017

The Last Jedi is a masterpiece! @rianjohnson just needs to move into Lucasfilm headquarters and stay there forever! He's made one of the best Star Wars movies ever! Thank you!

— Darth Chiznuk (@TheNinjaMod) December 15, 2017

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was fantastic. COMPLETELY unique compared to other Star Wars films. It takes risks and boldly pushed the franchise forward. Congratulations @rianjohnson. It's amazing.

— Roger Pokorny (@rogformer) December 15, 2017

Wow. Wow. Wow. The Force Awakens was a welcome return to form for Star Wars but #TheLastJedi is just stunning. Exciting, funny, sweet, sad, truly satisfying. Congratulations to you and your team, @rianjohnson. Thank you.

— Scott Weinberg (@scottEweinberg) December 15, 2017

I am so excited about the possibilities from this point. Rian Johnson used familiar notes to make a weird, beautiful song.

— Amy Ratcliffe (@amy_geek) December 15, 2017

However, there were some Star Wars traditionalists who felt that The Last Jedi was too much of a departure from the original trilogy.

I’m sorry but Rian Johnson absolutely butchered episode 8. Awful writing and 0 structure and a complete disregard for the lore. No way he can be allowed to take on the new trilogy.

— Ben Nicholson (@benrfc19) December 14, 2017

Oh Rian Johnson, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? pic.twitter.com/ErZVb977a8

— Alberto Molina (@AlbertoMoolina) December 14, 2017

I’m not at all aware of what is the next step in this trilogy. Rian Johnson has blown the whole thing up. #TheLastJedi

— IamTFLEMING (@Iamtfleming) December 15, 2017

Star Wars episode 8 was terrible. Rian Johnson ruined the trilogy. Did you consult Mel Brooks on the story line?

— Facepalm (@facepalmin) December 15, 2017

#LastJedi @rianjohnson what the fuck was that?! Seriously? Have you ever watched a @starwars movie before? I’m sure you did your best, but that was truly awful. I’m actually fearful of the future trilogy now.

— theonetrueking (@the1trooking) December 15, 2017

Critical reaction to The Last Jedi has been overwhelmingly positive, meanwhile. The film holds a 94 percent fresh rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes.

And lord creator of Star Wars, George Lucas, also gave Johnson's movie a thumbs-up. A spokesperson for Lucas told The Hollywood Reporter the legendary filmmaker thinks The Last Jedi was "beautifully made."

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer



To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go