Since its 2018 debut, Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi has sparked heated debate over whether it was a fantastic or terrible Star Wars film for Luke Skywalker. Still, whatever your opinion, it’s hard to deny that Johnson’s take on the greatest Jedi ever came with some truly epic quotes. And no, we’re not talking about the zinger, “Amazing. Every word of what you just said was wrong.”
The Last Jedi gave us Luke Skywalker’s best quote, perfectly capturing the poignancy at the heart of a galaxy far, far away.
Luke’s best Star Wars moment isn’t the one you think
Luke has delivered plenty of incredible quotes throughout Star Wars’ 50-year history. Many fans consider his declaration to Emperor Palpatine — “I am a Jedi, like my father before me” — in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi his best. And they’re not wrong: it’s a phenomenal line that defines Luke’s identity as a Jedi. Still, it doesn’t quite seal the deal for us as his best.
That honor belongs instead to one of Luke’s most underrated moments: when he briefly projects his image through the Force on Ahch-To to comfort his sister Leia. During the exchange, Leia expresses deep sorrow that she’s lost her son Ben Solo, also known as Kylo Ren, to the Dark Side forever.
Luke, bright-eyed and once again full of belief after his meeting with Rey, reassures her with this beautiful quote:
“No one’s ever really gone.”
After so long in guilt and shame, Luke’s quote shows how far he’s come since the beginning of The Last Jedi.
Why Luke Skywalker’s best quote is all about redemption
A string of words can sometimes reveal wisdom in a way we hadn’t considered before. This is especially meaningful in a franchise like Star Wars, where mythological forces such as the Force, the Jedi, and the Sith play a central role, and we, the audience, are eager to uncover answers to many of the galaxy’s major mysteries and themes.
Redemption is a central theme in Star Wars. Across its films, TV shows, comics, novels, and even video games, one idea remains clear: anyone can be redeemed. Redemption looks different for each character, and what one character sees as redemption doesn’t necessarily align with what others feel or believe. For example, while Anakin Skywalker was redeemed in the eyes of his son, Luke, his role as Darth Vader and the destruction of Alderaan ensured that his daughter, Leia, didn’t share her brother’s feelings towards Anakin.
Regardless, Luke’s quote to Leia reassures her that no matter how much someone changes, who they were before is never entirely out of reach. As we learn from many Star Wars spin-off works, such as Han Solo: Hunt for the Falcon, Ben was kind and caring as a child, a far cry from the mass-murderer he became as a man.
Yet, just because the Ben Solo that Luke, Han Solo, and Leia knew growing up isn’t recognizable right now, doesn’t mean Ben is lost forever.
Alternative meanings to Luke Skywalker’s best quote
Great quotes can also have multiple meanings, which makes Luke’s best quote a perfect example of how The Last Jedi addresses not only the theme of redemption but also the Force’s spiritual essence. Though death may take away a person’s physical body, they become one with the Force and can never truly die.
Taken more literally, Star Wars fans know that those strong in the Light Side of the Force can manifest physically as Force ghosts, as seen in Ahsoka and Return of the Jedi. Given the tagline “no one’s ever really gone” and the appearance of several Jedi in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, it’s not much of a stretch to see this as Johnson’s way of reflecting on how even death can’t stop the will of the Jedi.
Last but not least, taken even more metatextually and literally, the quote could be a tongue-in-cheek reference to the idea that Lucasfilm will find a way to bring back any character it truly wants to, no matter who or what. While sometimes it may make sense, as with Anakin’s involvement as a Force ghost in the Ahsoka TV series, other times it can lead to truly head-scratching moments, such as Zeb’s involvement in The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Ultimately, whatever the quote means to you, there’s no denying that Luke’s best quote is one reason The Last Jedi — for all its faults — remains among the best Star Wars films.