Daisy Ridley Says Social Media Backlash To ‘Rise Of Skywalker’ Was “Upsetting” & “Weird”

Daisy Ridley is the face of the newest “Star Wars” trilogy of films. Not only was her first major film appearance in 2015’s ‘The Force Awakens,’ which kicked off the Sequel Trilogy, but her character, Rey, is the heroic figure (the Luke Skywalker) of these new films. And considering the criticism and social media reaction to the newest sequels, it’s obvious that Ridley would be the one person that might be hit hardest by the discussion.

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In a new interview with the DragCast podcast (via Comicbook.com), Ridley talked about the fan reaction to the trilogy, specifically in light of the release of the newest film, ‘The Rise of Skywalker.’ And it appears that she understands that the majority of fans seem to enjoy the film, there is a contingent of vocal people on social media that will say some pretty hurtful things.

“[The reaction] changed film by film honestly, like 98% it’s so amazing. [For ‘The Rise of Skywalker’] it was really tricky,” explained Ridley. “January was not that nice. It was weird, I felt like all of this love that we’d sort of been shown the first time around, I was like ‘Where’s the love gone?’”

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She continued, “I watched the documentary, the making-of, this week, and it’s so filled with love; and I think it’s that tricky thing of when you’re part of something that is so filled with love and then people…You know, everyone’s entitled to not like something but it feels like it’s changed slightly. I think in general that’s because social media and what have you.”

And it’s on social media that the actress has found herself feeling upset about the reaction to the film. Ridley continued to discuss how she had to actively avoid “Star Wars” headlines and social media discussion for the month of January due to the vitriol she’d find.

“If I went to a film and didn’t like it, I just wouldn’t tweet about it,” the actress said. “But it’s such a conversation and it always has been.”

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She added, “I guess now conversations are just more public, so there’s stuff I wouldn’t have seen, but honestly trying to scroll through my news feed in January and trying not to see ‘Star Wars’ stuff, I’d see headlines and be like ‘Oh my god this is so upsetting.’ It’s been tricky but then it’s having that thing of I feel really proud of it, and I’m so thrilled to be part of it. But it’s a funny thing.”

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is available for purchase now anywhere you buy films.