The Ben Solo Challenge Is The Joyous, DIY ‘Star Wars’ Meme Sweeping The Internet
Fans are recreating a key moment from 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' with cats, brooms, and plastic toys.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has had a mixed reaction across the board, dismissed by critics, longtime Star Wars fans, and even newcomers. But one moment from the film is attracting significant online attention.
Spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker follow
Towards the end of the film, Ben Solo — AKA the helmet-wearing Kylo Ren — comes up against the Knights of Ren, his former bodyguards. Unarmed, it looks like he’s trapped and outnumbered. That is until, thanks to his force connection with Rey, he finds himself pulling a lightsaber out of thin air. He looks at the thing. He shrugs. And then he beats them all up.
It’s a moment of quiet style and flair in a movie significantly lacking either style or flair, a tiny aside of reflection in a loud, clanging mess. So no wonder it’s garnered a huge amount of attention online, with fans across the world using whatever household object that they can find to replicate the scene.
Yep, this new trend is called the ‘Ben Solo challenge’. And it’s absolutely everywhere.
So here’s the moment restaged with household objects and gardening equipment…
Screw it why not! #BenSoloChallenge pic.twitter.com/ULJlA8yHo4
— jess (@Imperial77Acade) January 7, 2020
…Here it is with a sweater and a pair of plastic toys…
Finally made it home. This one has a little Ben Solo sweater nod, with a little Han Solo family flair. #BenSoloChallenge pic.twitter.com/t6C0GswvBF
— Krazie Unkie is a Mauloka (@KrazieUnkie) January 7, 2020
…Here it is recreated pretty accurately, albeit in a suburban garage…
#bensolochallenge This is so much fun! I want to see as many of these from as many people as possible! (Credit to @testtube27 for starting this whole thing) pic.twitter.com/GLdmCafpR6
— Just Jake (@JakeFromYavin) January 6, 2020
…Here it is with a child…
The #BenSoloChallenge from a tiny sick Ben Solo who wanted to join in. pic.twitter.com/9kISmcVdBR
— Ella 🦋 🏝Rigatoni Island 🍐 (@ObiwanxKannoli) January 6, 2020
…A small creature…
does this count #BenSoloChallenge pic.twitter.com/wYr4f7C8RF
— ghoulish (@leahhgood) January 7, 2020
…And a… Well, probably best not to spoil this one, actually.
I think I nailed it #BenSoloChallenge pic.twitter.com/GKc7XAUaZ2
— georgia 🌙🤡 (@jonnybuckIand) January 7, 2020
Yep, no matter what J. J. Abrams might have done to the series, at least fans will always have the endless powers of their own imagination. Oh, and Adam Driver, looking hot and fighting people with a lightsaber.
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