I recalled my friend's quote again this week, during multiple screenings of Rise of Skywalker, which opened Thursday night. Because J.J. Abrams has permanently dashed the hopes of the Rey Nobody fans.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker's dramatic Rey reveal is in some ways a frustrating reversal of The Last Jedi — critics have referred to it as a "crassly cynical letdown" and a "crushing ...