The Last Jedi has already roared past $1billion at the global box office. Even so, many hardcore fans are not happy with much of the film.
They are particularly furious about the percieved treatment of beloved character Luke Skywalker.
One scene which causes problems for many is the moment Luke goes to kill his young nephew while he is asleep and defenceless.
But what if it was not Luke’s fault?
The flashback scene showed Luke looking particularly deranged and almost crazed as he loomed over the bed of Kylo Ren.
He almost looks possessed.
Remember how Darth Vader was so immersed in the Dark Side that his presence invoked a crushing fear as he swept into a room? In Star Wars The Old Republic, Darth Jadus made those around him feel fear, sickness, and as if they are dying.
What if Kylo was already so consumed by the Dark Side that it influenced those around him?
A powerful new theory on Reddit from user TLM86 explains: When Luke looked into Ben Solo’s heart he was influenced by the darkness and had his gut fear reaction to kill him to save the ones he loves (like father like son).”
In other words, Luke was momentarily taken over by the Dark Side. We see his struggle on screen and the moment he finally resists the urge to kill young Ben.
The thory also suggests that this moment was what drove Luke into exile and to sever his ties with the Force.
The theory adds: “He had control enough to stop himself, but it was too late. Luke abandoned the life of a Jedi because he was ashamed of his weak moment and thought he wouldn’t be helpful anymore.”
A reply to the thread agrees: “Honestly I’m fine with Luke having a moment of weakness, but for those that really hate that Luke would even almost maybe entertain the idea of killing his nephew for the sake of the galaxy, this could be a really great way to fight that impulse. If Luke reached out and immense Darkness reached back, maybe Luke was influenced by that Darkness for a moment before his senses came back to him. I’d be okay with that.
The idea that Luke didn’t flee to Ahch-To just because his students were killed or corrupted by Ben/Kylo, he also left because he was almost unable to resist the call of the Dark Side himself, would resolve many issues that fans have with the movie.