Star Wars’ Terrifying Tales: When Luke almost killed Ben Solo

This Halloween on Dork Side of the Force, we’re taking a look back at some Star Wars’ scariest moments, be it the movies, books, TV shows, and everything in between. May the Terrifying Tales be with you!

It’s been established that the Star Wars franchise — while appealing to adults and folks of all ages — has always, at its heart, been for the younger generations. But as we all know, that doesn’t stop them from including some darker moments on screen as characters grapple with their needs and the Dark Side of the Force’s ability to assist with that.

For most of our Light Side heroes, they’re able to resist the call to the Dark Side. But at the same time, it isn’t so easy to just brush off that call. Thoughts may begin to swirl, taking over one’s consciousness. And sometimes, it may even lead them to the brink of committing an unspeakable action — something Luke Skywalker knows all too well.

For the most part, Luke spent his time in the Rebellion able to resist the call to the other side. Even being in the presence of two of the most powerful Sith, Vader and Sidious, Luke was able to resist. But, one could say that his fight against the Empire changed him.

We’re sure when Luke began his Jedi training academy, he was more than happy to begin leading this new generation of Jedi. But upon his nephew, Ben Solo, joining, Luke began to sense an impending danger. Ben, of course, was on his own journey down the path to the Dark Side. And as we know, he did eventually become Kylo Ren, the Supreme Leader of the First Order.

But as a young Padawan at the training academy, there was still a shred of innocence left in him. And, arguably, it might have been Luke’s distrust in his Padawan pushed his descent even further. One night, Luke appeared in Ben’s room as he slept. And, as it’s revealed later in The Last Jedi, Luke had his lightsaber in hand, ready to slay Ben on the spot. The young Padwan might have died, had it not been for his reflexes, fending off Luke with his own lightsaber after being jolted awake.

Ben and Luke’s paths down the Dark Side

Tragedy struck shortly after, with Ben eventually leading the Knights of Ren to kill all the Padawans at Luke’s academy. But Luke, in his shock, would not push his call to the Dark Side any further — instead retreating on Ahch-To to deal with his failure. It wasn’t until Rey visited him on the island many years later that he shook off his cobwebs and put his hermit lifestyle aside.

Luke probably saw the opportunity to pursue Kylo Ren as a redemption of sorts against the tragedy that happened. And while Jedi don’t seek revenge, we’re sure having that sense of purpose to fight in the Resistance was all he needed.

In the end, Luke perished in his act to stave off Kylo Ren on Crait, leading the narrative to come full circle. Luke didn’t need redeeming from the Dark Side in his death. But he likely did need the assurance that in some way, he could make up for his slip into the Dark Side when it came to Ben. And, as it goes, all’s well that ends well. Ben, too, learned the error of his ways by the end of The Rise of Skywalker. And both, ultimately, learned the lesson that a life on the Dark Side is no life to live.

For more, follow the editorial category on Dork Side of the Force.