Star Wars: The Force Awakens
A resilient scavenger and a defecting stormtrooper become unlikely allies in a galaxy-wide struggle to find a vanished Jedi and resist a new authoritarian order.
Overview
A new generation rises to face an ancient evil in a galaxy far, far away.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- witty
- propulsive
- nostalgic
- blockbuster night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film an energetic, emotionally engaging return to the Star Wars universe, praising its cast and spectacle while noting its strong resemblance to the original film.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Rey, Finn, and Poe enter a conflict shaped by Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Leia, the Empire, and the Resistance.
Rey's unexplained past and connection to the missing Luke Skywalker motivate the central search and her personal awakening.
The film joins spacecraft, droids, the Force, lightsabers, planetary settings, and a Resistance-versus-First-Order war into a grand serialized adventure.
The film pairs Rey, Finn, Poe, and Kylo Ren with returning characters and recognizable Star Wars imagery while launching a new trilogy.
Films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and why
Star Wars: A New Hope
shared space opera adventure, heroic ensemble, accessible mythology, and large-scale resistance-versus-empire conflict
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi
shared science fiction spectacle, youthful protagonist, intergenerational legacy, and rebellion against authoritarian power
Guardians of the Galaxy
shared space opera world-building, charismatic ensemble, comic relief, and emotionally accessible action
Star Trek
shared science fiction adventure, chosen-identity themes, practical spectacle, and blockbuster pacing
Movie Details
- Director
- J.J. Abrams
- Release Date
- 2015-12-15
- Runtime
- 136 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (20952)
Cast
- Daisy Ridley
- John Boyega
- Oscar Isaac
- Adam Driver
- Carrie Fisher
- Harrison Ford
- Mark Hamill
- Lupita Nyong'o
- Andy Serkis
- Domhnall Gleeson
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Disney Plus, Philo, YouTube TV, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Star Wars: The Force Awakens about?
- A resilient scavenger and a defecting stormtrooper become unlikely allies in a galaxy-wide struggle to find a vanished Jedi and resist a new authoritarian order.
- What is Star Wars: The Force Awakens like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Star Wars: The Force Awakens violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Star Wars: The Force Awakens as moderate.
- What did critics think of Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
- Critics broadly found the film an energetic, emotionally engaging return to the Star Wars universe, praising its cast and spectacle while noting its strong resemblance to the original film.
- Which films are like Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
- Films with a similar feel include Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Star Trek.
- How long is Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens runs 136 minutes.
- Where can I watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens?
- In United States, Star Wars: The Force Awakens streams on Disney Plus, Philo, YouTube TV, Starz Amazon Channel, Starz, Starz Apple TV channel, Starz Roku Premium Channel.
