Supreme Leader Snoke is a mysterious and powerful dark side figure who serves as the main antagonist and Supreme Leader of the First Order in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. He is a dark Force user who manipulates others, especially Ben Solo (later known as Kylo Ren), to serve his purposes and expand his influence across the galaxy.
Snoke’s origins were initially shrouded in mystery, with very little information provided in the films about where he came from or how he rose to power. He first appears in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” as the Supreme Leader of the First Order, a military dictatorship that emerged from the remnants of the Galactic Empire. Snoke is portrayed as a towering, scarred humanoid with strong Force abilities, capable of influencing and controlling others through the Force. He is the one who seduces Ben Solo to the dark side, giving him the name Kylo Ren and setting him on a path to become his apprentice and enforcer.
The relationship between Snoke and the Knights of Ren, a group of dark side warriors led by Kylo Ren, reveals more about Snoke’s role in recruiting and shaping Kylo’s dark path. According to expanded lore, Snoke had a history with the Knights of Ren and initially used them to recruit Ben Solo. However, at a certain point, Snoke deemed the Knights no longer useful and ordered Kylo Ren to leave them behind, marking a significant moment in Kylo’s rise within the First Order. This moment was depicted in a flashback scene in “The Force Awakens,” clarifying that Kylo was stepping toward Snoke, not Rey, and that Snoke was the true target of that scene. This flashback also explained why the Knights of Ren were absent from Kylo Ren’s side in the film, as Snoke had dismissed them[1].
The deeper origins of Snoke were further explored in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.” It was revealed that Snoke was essentially a puppet created and controlled by the resurrected Emperor Palpatine, who had survived and was secretly orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Palpatine used Snoke as a proxy to lead the First Order and manipulate Kylo Ren, keeping his own return hidden until the final moments of the saga. This revelation positioned Snoke not as an independent dark lord but as a construct or clone engineered by Palpatine to serve his dark purposes. Palpatine’s manipulation of Snoke and Kylo Ren was part of a larger plan to regain control of the galaxy and destroy the Resistance[2].
Additional Star Wars media, such as comics, have expanded on Snoke’s role as a tool of Palpatine’s will. For example, in the “Legacy of Vader” comic series, it is shown that Palpatine had been influencing Ben Solo long before the sequel trilogy, using Snoke as a proxy to keep Ben tethered to the dark side. This adds layers to Snoke’s character as less of a standalone villain and more of a manifestation of Palpatine’s lingering dark influence[3].
Snoke’s character design and role were inspired by historical and narrative elements. The First Order, which Snoke leads, was inspired by totalitarian regimes such as the Nazis, emphasizing themes of authoritarianism and oppression. Snoke’s imposing presence and leadership style reflect this inspiration, making him a symbol of the dark side’s resurgence in the galaxy[5].
In summary, Supreme Leader Snoke is a dark Force user who rose to power as the leader of the First Order and the master of Kylo Ren. His origins are tied directly to Emperor Palpatine, who created and controlled him as a puppet to manipulate events and individuals in the galaxy. Snoke’s story is one of deception, manipulation, and the continuation of Palpatine’s dark legacy, making him a key figure in the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order in the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
