Summary

• Finn deserved more spotlight and a Jedi role in Star Wars, but was let down by the lack of focus on his character.
• Finn's potential to be a Jedi was hinted at, but never fully explored in the sequel trilogy, missing out on impactful storytelling.
• Finn's character could have been improved by developing his Jedi potential, leading a stormtrooper rebellion, and earning his role in the Resistance.

As one of the leading characters of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, John Boyega's Finn deserved a massive spotlight and a brilliant story, but that is unfortunately not what he got. In the anticipation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it was made clear that Finn was going to be a major player, especially once the clip of him igniting the Skywalker lightsaber arrived at the end of the movie's first trailer. It would soon be revealed, however, that his story was not what it originally seemed.

It became clear in The Force Awakens that Rey would be the titular awakening of the Force, even when Finn did get to wield a lightsaber against Kylo Ren. Star Wars: The Last Jedi went on to double down on Finn's move away from a Jedi or Force-sensitive path, instead reverting him back to a state of being an ex-stormtrooper on the run from the First Order. While Finn would eventually receive some due credit in the way of becoming a general for the Resistance, there were still many more opportunities to massively improve his story and give him justice.

8 Finn Could Have Wielded A Lightsaber More

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

There's no denying just how disappointing it was to learn that the ments of Finn with a lightsaber for The Force Awakens were misleading. While it did keep the secret of Rey's Force-sensitivity, it came at the cost of sacrificing Finn's own potential to be a Jedi. As a Force-sensitive ex-stormtrooper, it would have been nothing short of epic and impactful to see him wield a lightsaber in the name of the Jedi and the Force, not because it was the only weapon he had on hand.

It's also clear that Finn's able to hold his own in a lightsaber fight, even if he cannot last too long. While Kylo Ren was injured during their duel, it's still impressive that Finn manages to not only defend himself, but even get a hit in on Kylo before he's taken down. This being his final fight with a lightsaber is nothing short of a shame, given how much potential it promises. Hopefully, Star Wars can still make good on it in the future, with the Star Wars: New Jedi Order movie.

7 Finn Shouldn't Have Tried To Run From The Resistance (Again)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The most major arc in Finn's story throughout The Force Awakens is that he learns to face his fears for those he cares about and what he recognizes as important or right. As soon as he awakens from his coma in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, however, this growth disappears. Rose finds Finn ready to run from the First Order yet again, and even if he does do it in the name of being reunited with Rey, it still cheapens everything Finn went through to become a valuable part of the Resistance in The Force Awakens.

Instead, Finn should have recognized that Rey would be fine on her own, and that his place was with the Resistance during their darkest hour. While he does eventually embark on a mission in the name of the Resistance, he could have done so without having to be shocked for attempting to flee in an escape pod. This could have been a decision that Finn made of his own accord, using all the lessons he learned from Rey and those around him in The Force Awakens.

6 Finn Could Have Been A Jedi With Rey

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

It seemed very clear in The Force Awakens that Finn had plenty of potential to become a Jedi. From his willingness to leave behind his life of a stormtrooper, regardless of the consequences, to his talent with a lightsaber, Finn always appeared to be traversing the path of a Jedi-to-be. This, however, did not come to fruition - at least, not in the sequel Star Wars trilogy.

If Finn had somehow been able to go with Rey to Ahch-To, it's possible he could have learned the ways of the Jedi from Luke Skywalker alongside her. Then, both these characters could have worked together to bring back the Jedi and retaliate against the First Order. It would have only uplifted Rey's story more to have Finn training with her, and it would have given him his proper justice in the process.

Both these characters could have worked together to bring back the Jedi and retaliate against the First Order.

5 Finn Could Have Led A Stormtrooper Rebellion

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

One of the most powerful moments of Finn's journey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy is his showdown with Captain Phasma in The Last Jedi. The moment is already emotionally charged because of Finn's history as a stormtrooper, especially under Phasma's harsh and watchful eye. Finn's ability to rise and above and defeat her is something that wasn't seen enough in the sequel trilogy, and one potential storyline could have truly capitalized on it.

As an ex-stormtrooper himself, it stands to reason that Finn could have been able to try to get through to other stormtroopers and convince them to the effort against the First Order. The regime had taken everything from them, particularly their childhoods, and Finn understood that better than anyone else. If Finn had been able to use this to unite the stormtroopers, even a small pool, against the First Order and perhaps even against Phasma in this moment, it would have been an extremely powerful moment for him and the trilogy as a whole.

4 Finn's Force Sensitivity Could Have Been Explored Earlier

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

After two movies that don't deal with Finn's potential in the Force, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker does at least touch on it. Still, it's not treated with as much care as it should have been. Finn is constantly unable to tell Rey about it, and the only time he's really seen using it is when he senses Rey's death on Exegol. This is extremely disappointing, given how traces of Force-sensitivity have always been evident in Finn's story - and that's exactly how they could have made good on it.

Rather than waiting until The Rise of Skywalker to fully unveil Finn's Force-sensitivity, the sequel trilogy could have introduced it earlier. Whether in The Force Awakens or The Last Jedi, Finn could have been more open about the ways in which the Force was calling to him and moving through him. This would have made his connection to the Force much stronger, and it would have felt more established rather than an afterthought made for the final movie.

3 Finn Should Have Earned Being A Resistance Leader

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

While it's fitting that Finn got some of his due credit by becoming a general for the Resistance, even that moment doesn't feel as earned for him as it should. The moment is chopped up more to Poe Dameron wanting, or needing, someone to be in command with him and trusting that his friend can fill that role. This misses an opportunity to have Finn earn the role through his actions, whether it be key plans he's made or other major contributions he's given to the Resistance as a whole.

Seeing Finn earn this title alongside Poe would have not only elevated Finn's story, but also made their shared leadership even more special. It's clear that Poe's position was earned, even with the mistakes he'd made, and Finn deserved to have that same sentiment attached to his own appointment. While he has done a lot for the Resistance, it's mostly been in the name of helping Rey, and it would have been massive for his character if he did more for the effort against the First Order as a whole.

This misses an opportunity to have Finn earn the role through his actions, whether it be key plans he's made or other major contributions he's given to the Resistance as a whole.

2 Finn Could Have Been The One To Help Rey On Exegol

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

The redemption of Kylo Ren and the arrival of Ben Solo on Exegol is nothing short of iconic, but having Finn rush to Rey's aid in that moment would arguably have been even more powerful. The duo has been inseparable since The Force Awakens, united in their efforts against the First Order, and they have always been eager to protect one another. This moment should have been no different, especially once Finn had arrived with Poe and the rest of the Resistance.

This also would have been a wonderful culmination of both Rey's and Finn's stories in the sequel trilogy. It was Finn who brought Rey into the fight, and in a way, it was also Rey who brought Finn into the fight. To have them united together against Palpatine, who had been at the heart of it the entire time, would have made this moment that much more satisfying. It began with Rey and Finn, and it should have ended with them, too - which would have also made good on Finn's own Force abilities and Jedi potential in the process.

1 Star Wars Should Have Committed To Giving Finn A Love Interest

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

It's hard to believe that, by the end of The Rise of Skywalker, Finn has no definitive love interest - given the fact he had multiple teased for him over the course of the trilogy. Starting with Rey in The Force Awakens, Finn had plenty of potential to care for her as much more than just a friend, and even vice versa. The Last Jedi, however, changed direction and set up something for Finn and Rose. Even their kiss wasn't enough, though, as the two barely spoke in The Rise of Skywalker.

This is confusing for the audience, and it's certainly a shame for Finn's character. Even The Rise of Skywalker was fueled by an undertone of potential with Poe, much of which was encouraged by a pool of Star Wars viewers and the actors themselves. Yet none of these love interests became anything for Finn, and while he certainly didn't need one, it was a shame to see him come so close and then fall away over and over. It was just another way that Finn didn't get his proper justice in Star Wars that future stories will hopefully make right.