Those who didn’t see Episode 7, or just need a quick refresher, can catch up on everything you need to know below.
Don’t panic – there are no spoilers from Episode 8 itself.
1. Luke Skywalker has been hiding for a REALLY long time
Much of Episode 7 was spent wondering what happened to Luke Skywalker – the main hero of the original trilogy. What we did find out was that he was training the next generation of Jedi until one of his students, nephew Ben Solo (Adam Driver), went all evil – becoming supervillain Kylo Ren. He then fled into exile, where Rey (Daisy Ridley) finally tracked him down – as the end credits rolled.
2. Han Solo was killed… by his own son
Harrison Ford’s Han Solo played a key role in The Force Awakens; spotting talent in scavenger Rey and helping partner Leia (Carrie Fisher) in the efforts of the Resistance. But there was heartbreak towards the end of the film when his own son, Kylo Ren, viciously killed him.
3. Rey is hopeful that her parents will come back for her
Rey was introduced to us as a normal girl on the planet of Jakku, struggling day to day to make ends meet. When she encountered the droid BB-8 and former stormtrooper Finn, she was taken on a whirlwind adventure – and learned that she herself is hugely talented in the ways of the Force. But the whole time, she held out hope that her parents would come back to her. Abandoned as a child, she was convinced they would return – and spent much of the story itching to get back to Jakku in case she missed them.
4. Finn is an ex-stormtrooper
John Boyega’s Finn opened the film as a severely conflicted stormtrooper, and eventually broke free – helping prisoner Poe (Oscar Isaac) to escape in the process. He then joined the Resistance, and sent his old boss Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) tumbling down a garbage chute.
5. Finn was badly wounded
In the aftermath of Han Solo’s death, Finn took up the lightsaber and fought Kylo, but it didn’t go to plan – he was left severely injured, leaving Rey to take control of the Skywalker weapon and defeat the antagonist.
6. General Hux and Kylo Ren are in competition to be Snoke’s favourite
Supreme Leader Snoke, the leader of the sinister First Order, is Kylo Ren’s master, but is difficult to please: Kylo ultimately killed his own father to prove his dedication, and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) is also being made to work hard to prove he is a worthy leader. The two have a sibling-style rivalry as they try to stay in their leader’s good books.
Star Wars 8: The Last Jedi is out now.