While Star Wars is still one of the most popular franchises to ever exist in the universe, a bit of the luster has worn from it in the last few years as more films have been produced. While many seem to universally love the original trilogy, and almost as universally hate the prequel trilogy, the new Star Wars movies have produced much more debate, with many loving them, and many others hating them just as strongly. Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley, for one, would love to see this passion displayed in a somewhat less viscous fashion.
It isn't exactly a secret that the new Star Wars movies have their detractors. Star Wars: The Last Jedi specifically caused a very vocal outpouring of vitriol. In a recent interview, Daisy Ridley says that, while she supports fans desire to be expressive of their opinions, she'd like to see them do it in a slightly different way. According to Ridley...
It’s great that people are expressive of their views. But this is people’s jobs. People worked really, really hard on that thing. I think there’s a way of having a discussion that isn’t so vicious.
Daisy Ridley relates a story to Bustle that she was once at a friend's birthday party and somebody she barely knew felt it necessary to tell her that she didn't like The Last Jedi. Clearly, this was information Ridley did not need, especially first hand from a relative stranger. Somebody went out of their way to attack Ridley's job directly to her.
It's fine if people don't like movies, that's certainly going to happen, not everybody likes everything. However, for the people who work on the film it's simply a job. Most of us don't feel inclined to let every person we come in contact with know if we don't think they do their job well. We just move on with our lives.
However, so many people identify on a personal level with Star Wars that the movies are more than just stories. There's clearly a passion here among so many, and Daisy Ridley isn't looking to stifle that passion, simply redirect it. Perhaps people shouldn't take movies so seriously. Nothing about the decisions made in these films is personal, and yet, many of the attacks are.
Daisy Ridley says social media is part of the issue, as when people like comments it reinforces the behavior.
The idea that we can dislike something without being viscous about it is certainly a nice thought. Although, evidence suggests that response isn't going anywhere anytime soon. If the majority of people like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker then we might not get as many angry social media posts, but if the film gets a similar reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, there's a good chance we'll be getting more of the same.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in December.
