By The Knights of Ren—now there’s a bunch that had me scratching my head the first time I saw them. I mean, who are these guys? They just show up in The Force Awakens, looking all ominous and mysterious, and then… nothing. Silence. They vanish, and we’re left wondering what they’re all about. But hey, let’s take a deep dive into this shadowy crew of dark side misfits. Time to peel back the layers on what makes the Knights of Ren tick.
The First Time We Saw Them: What’s the Big Deal?
Alright, I’ll admit it. When I first saw the Knights of Ren, I thought they were just another group of background bad guys. You know, like the red-shirt crew of the Star Wars universe. But when Rey has that vision in The Force Awakens, we get a glimpse of Kylo Ren surrounded by these creepy figures with weird weapons, and I started thinking—wait a minute. These guys aren’t just window dressing. They’re something more.
Sure, we didn’t get much info at the time, but over the years, we got a slow drip of backstory, finally unraveling the chaos behind these warriors.
So, Who Are These Guys?
The Knights of Ren aren’t your standard Sith. In fact, they’re not even really Sith at all. Their whole thing is about embracing the Ren—essentially a code that doesn’t bother with Jedi order or Sith rules. It’s all about power, chaos, and doing what feels right in the moment. No light side, no dark side—just… Ren.
It’s like a dark side version of the wild west—no sheriff, no laws, just survival of the fittest.
The Original Ren
The whole “Ren” thing actually goes back before Kylo Ren. There was the original Ren, a powerful dark side user who wielded a red lightsaber. And let me tell you, his leadership was not the kind of thing you’d want to challenge unless you were really ready for a fight. But then Ben Solo (aka Kylo) came into the picture, knocked out the original Ren, and took over the group. And boom—Knights of Ren, right?
They’re not about mindless subservience. They follow their own instincts. They don’t train like Sith or Jedi—each one just kinda does their own thing, but it’s all about strength and freedom. Think of them like an unruly rock band, but with more violence and less group therapy.
What Sets Them Apart?
Let’s talk about what makes these guys special. No, really. What’s their deal?
The Knights of Ren aren’t just bad guys with red lightsabers. They’re different. First off, they don’t follow the usual Jedi or Sith rules. While the Sith are all about the Rule of Two (you know, apprentice and master), the Knights of Ren are more like a cult of darkness with each member forging their own path—kind of like a biker gang, but with Force powers.
And, unlike the Sith, they’re not all about the Force powers. These guys can wield anything—vibro-cleavers, axes, clubs, whatever. None of that “dual-wield lightsaber” stuff for them. Nope. Just raw, gritty combat with whatever’s handy. I swear, half the time I’m watching them, I’m thinking, “They really went with a big stick?” But hey, I’m not gonna argue with results.
The Unpredictability Factor
If you were to ask my buddy Mark (he’s always a good one for a random theory), he’d tell you the Knights of Ren are basically the Force’s version of a heavy metal band. They’re loud, brash, and totally unpredictable. And you know what? He’s kinda right. It’s chaos.
These aren’t your typical bad guys—no cookie-cutter villain monologues, no grand speeches. They just do their thing.
So What Makes the Knights of Ren Different?
Here’s the gist of it all in one tidy list:
- Not Sith, Not Jedi: They don’t follow the same rules, and they definitely don’t care about them.
- Weapon Variety: Vibro-cleavers, crossbows, axes—each Knight has a weapon that fits their personal style.
- Strong in the Force, But Not Experts: They’re more about raw instincts than Jedi or Sith training.
- Fear & Chaos: They thrive in the shadows and make sure they’re always a little more terrifying than your average villain.
Kind of like a chaotic mix of punk rock and dark side philosophy—hard to resist, right?
The Rise of Kylo Ren
Now let’s talk about Kylo Ren. Ben Solo, the guy who started off as the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, chose the dark side, embraced the Knights of Ren, and became their leader. I mean, at first, he wasn’t even Kylo Ren—he was just Ben, still carrying that Solo name. But, after his fall to the dark side, he kills the original Ren and takes the role for himself.
At this point, Kylo becomes the dark side equivalent of that guy who takes over a band and then makes everyone else play his hits. His version of the Knights of Ren becomes more organized, more about domination, but still, there’s something chaotic about their methods. It’s like… yeah, they have structure, but it’s more like the kind of structure you’d find in a crazy cult than an actual army.
Behind the Masks: Who Were They, Really?
I’ve spent more than my fair share of nights theorizing about the Knights of Ren. And honestly? We don’t know much about them—yet. But thanks to the comics (shoutout to The Rise of Kylo Ren), we’ve got some cool tidbits. Here’s a breakdown of some of the notable Knights (no spoilers on any wild theories about their futures, though, I promise).
Key Members of the Crew
- Vicrul: The big brute with a vibro-cleaver. Dude’s obsessed with voices—don’t ask.
- Cardo: Think of him as the guy with the flamethrower who has zero chill.
- Trudgen: He’s the guy you don’t want to meet in a dark alley. Always ready to wield a cleaver.
- Kuruk: The sniper. Quiet. Efficient. Deadly.
- Ushar: The no-nonsense executioner.
- Ap’lek: Armor that looks like it’s straight out of a post-apocalyptic dystopia. Super stylish.
These guys are the opposite of smooth talkers. They’ve got one job: Destroy.
Costume Design: Chaos in Fabric Form
The design of the Knights of Ren is like if you put all your old, mismatched Halloween costumes into a blender, added a bunch of paint, and then set it on fire. And somehow, it works. Every Knight’s armor is different—sometimes sleek, sometimes over-the-top—like a reminder that they’re not about order. They’re about being unique. It’s gritty, chaotic, and a little bit terrifying. It’s almost like they were playing dress-up in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, but they look hella cool doing it.
Fun fact: The costume design was so good that I’ve heard multiple people say they wanted to cosplay as the Knights of Ren at conventions but couldn’t quite pull off the “not caring about matching” vibe. I get it. Who needs symmetry anyway?
Why Are They So Cool?
The Knights of Ren might be the wild cards of the Star Wars universe, but that’s part of the appeal:
- Chaos over Order: They don’t follow anyone’s rules but their own.
- Unique Armor & Weapons: Each Knight’s gear is designed for maximum intimidation.
- No Red Tape: They’re in it for the ride, not to check off boxes.
- Embrace the Dark Side: It’s all about power, passion, and recklessness.
The Missed Opportunity (and Why I’m Still Mad About It)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the Knights of Ren didn’t get the spotlight they deserved in the sequels. They were built up, teased, but only got about 15 minutes of screen time in The Rise of Skywalker. Come on! These guys had so much potential.
They were practically screaming for a spinoff or a deeper dive. But instead, they were mostly there to give Kylo someone to fight. My friend Tina—who is literally obsessed with anything related to Star Wars—was pissed. She even texted me, “I waited two movies for them and got NOTHING.” She’s not wrong.
What’s Next for the Knights of Ren?
Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if we see the Knights of Ren again. Star Wars is massive, and who’s to say they won’t pop up in another comic series or maybe even a show? The Dark Side isn’t dead, and the Knights of Ren are too iconic to be forgotten forever.
I’d love to see more about their origins—maybe even a prequel series where we learn more about the original Ren. Who knows? Maybe Disney will finally listen to the millions of fans still hoping for more. Fingers crossed.
Conclusion: What’s the Legacy of the Knights of Ren?
Look, I’m not saying the Knights of Ren are the best part of the sequel trilogy, but they’re definitely one of the most interesting aspects. They might not have gotten the screen time they deserved, but their legacy lives on in the fans who appreciate the mystery and chaos they bring to the table.
Who knows? Maybe we’ll get more about them down the road. For now, though, I’ll keep replaying The Rise of Skywalker hoping for a few extra scenes. I mean, they deserve it, right?