Top 10 Best Star Wars Characters

Hailed as one of the most iconic and lucrative franchises ever to grace the silver screen, Star Wars is a force to be reckoned with in global pop culture. It's not just a movie series. It's a way of life for legions of fans who declare their undying love for the galaxy far, far away.

So, who's your ultimate Star Wars hero? Cast your vote and let's find out which character reigns supreme in the Star Wars pantheon.

The Top Ten

Darth Vader

Darth Vader is a Star Wars character who serves as the main antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy and as the central figure in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, where he is known by his original name, Anakin Skywalker. Initially trained as a Jedi Knight, Anakin defects to the Sith under the influence... read more

Everything about Darth Vader is iconic: the mask, the breathing, the force, the lightsaber. I could go on and on. But not only that, the whole saga is pretty much centered around him. From the first movie, where you see him as a little kid, to when he's a powerful Sith lord who is more evil than any villain in any movie series, to when, at the very end, he turns back to the good side, thanks to Luke. He is the roundest character in the series as well, and the series covers pretty much every aspect of him. Even though he's a whiny teenager, I think that's okay because it makes him become this iconic villain that most of us (I saw the original 3 movies before the prequels) are used to. Star Wars would not be Star Wars without him.
Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker is a fictional character appearing as the central protagonist of the original Star Wars film trilogy and as a supporting character in the sequel trilogy of the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. He is portrayed by Mark Hamill. Luke is a Jedi Knight who plays a crucial role in... read more

I think it's a good thing he's whiny. There's supposed to be a resemblance between him and Anakin - always believing the grass is greener on the other side. Plus, in the fourth one, he's only, what, seventeen? I think it adds to his character.
And on top of all that, he's supposed to be impatient when Yoda tries to trick him into thinking Yoda is an idiot. You see, Yoda was testing him. He obviously is like his father, so that's why they worry so much about him when he goes to face him. Also, I would be whiny too if I lived on a moisture farm and couldn't go out and see the world. Can't we all relate to this?

Luke Skywalker is the template that all heroes aspire to follow, I feel. He starts out being basically a nobody from nowhere (we all love those underdog stories, am I right?!), who finds he actually has a great power that few possess. We see him grow so much from Episode IV to Episode VI, from a whiny kid just wanting to get out in the galaxy and be a pilot, to a hero, a commander, a loyal friend, an expert combatant, and a Jedi. And yes, he becomes a pilot, just like he originally wanted.
He grows so much, and he even tells Yoda so. Things aren't easy for Luke. He gets clobbered by Tusken Raiders and Darth Vader, gets captured by a Wampa, gets shot down on Hoth, and tries over and over with the training Yoda has for him. He also never knew his parents, lost his aunt and uncle, lost both his mentors, and eventually lost his father to death as well. Yet despite everything he goes through, Luke plugs along and keeps going.
He doesn't make life about himself but about others, determined to be the best he can be. So to those who say that this guy is a Gary Stu, it personally makes me quite sad. I find that those who make such baseless arguments are the people who adore Rey, saying she's not a Mary Sue (which she is), and that Luke is supposedly not as good as she is because she literally learned everything in seconds that took Luke years to learn.
Luke's character progression and everything else good about him was thrown away in the ridiculousness that is the sequel trilogy, all so some overpowered character can be hyped up and made to look better than she is. George Lucas himself said that Luke is the most powerful Jedi, and I will believe the creator of the franchise over Disney any day.
Obi-Wan Kenobi

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by Sir Alec Guinness in the original trilogy and by Ewan McGregor in the prequel trilogy. The character is a Jedi Master who plays a pivotal role in the training of both Anakin and Luke Skywalker. Obi-Wan also appears in the... read more

Obi-Wan Kenobi is never quite the hero of his own story but always a quiet counterpoint and stabilizing influence on another's. He is one of the most subtly nuanced, genuinely good, and ultimately tragic characters in the Star Wars series. He does his duty, tries his hardest, is celebrated and remembered for his serenity and wisdom, and, when necessary, can be cunning and even ruthless.
The prequels also show us that Obi-Wan too can fall victim to the same human weaknesses which cost Anakin Skywalker dearly. Love blinds him to Anakin's fall. Attachment prevents him from killing Vader on Mustafar. The difference between the two of them is that Obi-Wan's inner strength allows him to carry on and keep hope for the future, even when faced with the loss of everything he's ever known and almost everyone he's ever cared for. That is what makes him a great man and a fascinating character.
Han Solo

Han Solo is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. In the original film trilogy, he and his co-pilot, Chewbacca, become involved in the Rebel Alliance's fight against the Galactic Empire. Portrayed by Harrison Ford, Han Solo was also the focus of the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, in which... read more

Han Solo works so well because he's one of the most human characters in Star Wars. Han Solo is a great character because he's a cynic who becomes a believer, a selfish survivor who learns loyalty, and a loner who slowly chooses connection. His arc is one of the clearest, most satisfying transformations in the original trilogy, and he is grounded in personality traits that make him flawed, funny, and emotionally real.
Han begins as the "I've flown from one side of this galaxy..." guy who mocks the Force. By the end, he's fighting for something bigger than himself, not because he suddenly becomes spiritual, but because he believes in people.
This grounded, non-magical growth makes him relatable. Even after he becomes a hero, he's still sarcastic, impatient, reckless, and cocky. He doesn't become a saint. He becomes a better version of himself.
Yoda

Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He first appeared in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back and serves as a wise and powerful Jedi Master with deep knowledge of the Force. Yoda was originally performed by Frank Oz, who provided the character's voice and... read more

Yoda is one of the few fictional characters I can look up to as inspirational. While he may be a great warrior, his best quality is his sage-like wisdom. This can be seen through numerous quotes, which can be applicable in real life, such as:
- "Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not. Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is."
- "Do, or do not. There is no try."
- "The greatest teacher, failure is."
- "Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."
- "Truly wonderful the mind of a child is."
Yoda views the other Jedi as his family, and this is why he feels responsible for being unable to detect and stop Darth Sidious. However, he ultimately accepts that it is up to someone else to stop Sidious and that he has a duty to train them and pass down his wisdom.
R2-D2

R2-D2, or Artoo-Detoo, is a fictional robot character in the Star Wars universe created by George Lucas. He appears in the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, and the sequel trilogy. R2-D2 is known for his bravery, resourcefulness, and loyalty throughout the series.

Since he's a droid, people don't really look at how amazing he really is. He saved Padmé in Attack of the Clones, and if she had died, Luke and Leia wouldn't have been born. Anakin probably would have turned bad sooner because he was mad his mom and the girl he likes died.
Obi-Wan was captured and Anakin and Padmé wouldn't have been there. He also saved Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewy! They would have been smashed without him. R2 is awesome and smart!

Love the dude! But the sequels totally disrespect him.
Want proof that he's the most iconic Star Wars character? Walk up to one of your friends who doesn't know anything about Star Wars and say, "Name all the Star Wars characters you know." Chances are, R2-D2 and Darth Vader will be at the top of their list.
Darth Sidious

Sheev Palpatine, also known by his Sith identity Darth Sidious, is a fictional character and one of the primary antagonists of the Star Wars franchise. Publicly, he appears as Senator Palpatine, then Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, and later as Emperor Palpatine. He is mainly portrayed by Ian McDiarmid... read more

Yes, but the actions Sidious/Palpatine took were different from each other.
Take Palpatine, for example. He was kind and gentle, but he manipulated people to gain power and become Supreme Chancellor. Even Jar-Jar was technically the one to help him rise to power.
On the other hand, Sidious was addicted to the Dark Side, much like a drug addiction. He had three Sith apprentices who ended up dying by the time he died, and he created the Galactic Empire from the Republic. He also built the Death Star (with Krennic and Galen's help) and killed many people (the people of Alderaan, Jedha/Scarif, Padme, soldiers from the Rebellion, and even Darth Vader, though Vader sacrificed himself.
So even though they are the same person, the actions they take are very different!
Princess Leia

Princess Leia Organa, later known as General Leia Organa, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She was portrayed in the films by actress Carrie Fisher. Leia is one of the central characters in the original Star Wars trilogy and plays a prominent leadership role in the Resistance in the... read more

Leia Organa stands out as a female character written with depth, agency, and narrative importance, and this is true in both canon and especially in Legends. Leia is consistently portrayed as a leader, strategist, fighter, and moral center of the story. Her writing emphasizes competence and character over fanservice. She is repeatedly described as one of the greatest leaders of the Rebel Alliance, fearless in battle and dedicated to ending tyranny.
Anime often gives women titles, such as princess, captain, or lieutenant, but sidelines them from actual decision-making. Leia commands armies, negotiates treaties, and shapes galactic history. Legends expands this further, listing her as a master strategist, master politician, and even a skilled lightsaber duelist. Yes, the "Slave Leia" outfit exists, but it was a plot situation, not her identity, and she immediately kills her captor.
Darth Maul

Darth Maul is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. Trained as Darth Sidious's first apprentice, he serves as a Sith Lord and wields a distinctive double-bladed lightsaber. Darth Maul first appeared in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace and later featured in Star Wars: The Clone Wars... read more

Darth Maul went from "cool-looking silent assassin" to one of the richest, most tragic, and most psychologically layered characters in all of Star Wars, and The Clone Wars finally let him become the character George Lucas intended but never had time to explore. Maul works now because he's no longer just a weapon. He's a victim of the Sith, a survivor of abuse, and a man desperately trying to create meaning after his entire identity collapses. He creates the Shadow Collective, unites Mandalorian factions, and takes over an entire planet.
That's not "henchman energy". That's a mastermind.

I have to admit he is overrated. But he's still a really cool character. And yes, I know, his only purpose was to kill Qui-Gon. I also think it's stupid that they decided to put him in Clone Wars, because Obi-Wan ended up killing him anyway! The reason they brought him back in Clone Wars was because the public wanted to see more of him, but again, it was completely useless.
What I would have liked to see is him escaping in Episode 1 and then, finally, in Episode 2 he could have replaced Dooku. Then, finally, in Episode 3 he could have replaced Grievous. Then Obi-Wan finally would have killed him in the scene where he kills Grievous, but instead of Grievous, it's Maul.
Chewbacca

Chewbacca, nicknamed "Chewie," is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He is a Wookiee from the planet Kashyyyk and serves as the co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon. Chewbacca is portrayed by Peter Mayhew in the Original Trilogy and is known for his loyalty to Han Solo.

Chewie is my favorite. I'm new to Star Wars, so I'm just going to say a few words.
In the movies, particularly in Episode 4, Chewie is a bit intimidating. He hates being touched and often comes across as an angry boy, but in Episode 5, he hugs Luke. Not going to lie, I squealed.
Yes, he gets frustrated about fixing the Millennium Falcon, but that's only a minor incident. Chewie is a protective sweetie who loves his friends. He gets angry sometimes, and that noise he makes is cute. I see myself as being a little like Chewie, which is probably why he's my favorite.

Chewbacca might not be a really powerful Jedi or anything, but him being a Wookiee is, in my opinion, really cool. I mean, look at the guy. He is a giant, hairy human with a blaster that looks like a crossbow, so how could you not like him!

The Newcomers

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SM-33

"Captain! Captain! No, you couldn't have killed the Captain, little runt! Captain! Captain!".
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C-21 Highsinger

C-21 is actually a more suited martial artist than even IG-88, I tell you. He is so underrated.

The Contenders

Boba Fett

Boba Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He is a bounty hunter who appears in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, working for Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt. Boba Fett also stars in his own series, The Book of Boba Fett, released in 2021.

With four lines of dialogue and a badass-looking suit of armor, he is one of the best-looking and most well-scripted villains in Star Wars. He was the reason that Han Solo was captured, one of the biggest plot points in the movies! Everybody praises Jango Fett, yet he was a remake of Boba (since the prequels came after the originals).
Also, Jango never really did anything besides fight. He killed some lame secondary characters and stuff, and Boba would've done that too, given that there were more than just one Jedi. Jango couldn't even take down a young Obi-Wan... Boba stood up to Vader and made such a good reputation for himself. His death scene was bull, though...
Mace Windu

Mace Windu is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, portrayed by actor Samuel L. Jackson in the prequel films. He is a high-ranking Jedi Master and member of the Jedi High Council. Windu is known for his purple lightsaber and his role in leading Jedi missions during the Clone Wars.

Best duelist in all the movies. He could and would have killed Palpatine if he hadn't believed in Anakin. He could have bested Anakin, too. He's so badass he probably, as long as he knew they were coming, could have defeated Anakin and Palpatine at the same time.
He put up a better fight than Yoda against Palpatine. He uses Vaapad. He, at the beginning, foresaw that Anakin was trouble. He distrusted Palpatine. He could one-on-one every Sith in the movies and win. I could go on and on...

Ok, he is the only Jedi brave enough to have a purple lightsaber. He is such an awesome character. He beat Darth Sidious and Jango Fett... So that has to count for something.
And I personally don't think he died. It's going to take more than a missing hand to take him down. And as for being force pushed out the window, he could have just grabbed onto someone's ship like Anakin Skywalker did.
C-3PO

C-3PO is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. A protocol droid and interpreter, he was built by a young Anakin Skywalker and later served alongside Anakin's children, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa. C-3PO appeared in every film of the Skywalker Saga and was portrayed by Anthony... read more

I can't say he is my favorite, but this guy seriously needs more attention. Vader (after Anakin turned to the dark side) never notices him. Neither does any other villain.
On the light side, when they give him attention, it's for five seconds max (unless you count R2-D2). For all his intelligence, he needs to be way higher.

Who doesn't love this droid? I mean, the guy can speak over 6,000,000 languages. Cut him some slack, Han! If it weren't for him, you wouldn't have known that you needed to replace the hyperdrive.
Plus, why is he only number 14? Even R4-P17 is higher. How is that even possible? I hardly know who that is, let alone anybody else!
Kylo Ren

Kylo Ren, also known as Ben Solo, is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He commands the First Order with a temper as fiery as his unconventional lightsaber. Kylo Ren first appeared in the 2015 film Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens. Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia... read more

Kylo Ren should definitely outrank Maul, R2-D2, and the late Han Solo. Kylo Ren added much-needed emotional weight to Episode 7. Instead of having a one-dimensional villain like Darth Maul in The Phantom Menace, JJ Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan created a unique character that people could connect with.
A perfect analogy that expresses who Vader is in relation to Kylo Ren is who Superman is in relation to Spiderman. Superman can do anything he wants. He has all the powers and can now survive death. Spiderman, I believe, is the peak of what a relatable character should be. He was basically a nerd who was a superhero.
Darth Vader could do anything with the force in the original trilogy. He could survive multiple things, and no one knew how to defeat him. Kylo Ren is also a relatable character. One could already see the past of Kylo Ren. One can already speculate how emotional and vulnerable Kylo Ren is.
What is also very interesting about his character is that he is going through the same trials a hero goes through. Kylo Ren killing Han Solo could be compared to Luke jumping off when Vader told him that he was his father. Both characters made decisions that would have a significant impact on their destinies. Both were tempted by the other side.
He is essentially the anti-Luke Skywalker. I am so excited for how this character will develop in the trilogy, and he is definitely my favorite character in general.
Rey

Rey is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise and is portrayed by British actress Daisy Ridley. She made her first appearance as the central protagonist in the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Rey begins as a solitary scavenger on the desert planet Jakku, where she was abandoned as... read more

Rey's character is phenomenally written. Depicted as the next Luke Skywalker, while having an incredibly mysterious past, is excellent screenwriting. Rey is easily the most relatable character in the whole series as a complete nobody who possesses the powers of the Force. That makes Star Wars so much more real and can make any kid dream of having the Force.
Also, the claim that she is a Mary Sue is completely wrong. She is not perfect. One of the biggest flaws any character has is in Rey always wanting to find the answer to her parents. There is plenty more I could write about Rey, but she is one of my favorite characters in the whole series, and I cannot wait to see her in IX.
Qui-Gon Jinn

Qui-Gon Jinn is a fictional character in the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Liam Neeson. He is one of the main protagonists in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Qui-Gon was a Jedi Master and mentor to Obi-Wan Kenobi.

For years (and I do mean years, like 10), Qui-Gon Jinn was my favorite Star Wars character EVER! He was smart, capable, talented, and had a fantastic understanding of and link to the Force. He may never have been on the council, but I believe that was because he saw the flaws in it.
He never allowed himself to become complacent, and I think that was why Darth Maul killed him, knowing he would be a threat if he were allowed to live. Liam Neeson was the perfect man for this role, and he performed so well! Qui-Gon is still one of my favorites, and always will be!

Awesome character. He's in the best Star Wars movie along with Jar Jar Binks. Qui-Gon is one of those characters where, if you took him out of the movie, the darkness would win in the later films. He even discovered the Chosen One. He kind of plays by his own rules.
Without him, Luke never would've been trained to be a Jedi, because without Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan would've never been trained. And if Obi-Wan wasn't trained, then Luke never would've been trained. Qui-Gon Jinn should be number one.
General Grievous

General Grievous is a fictional character and antagonist in the Star Wars franchise. He served as the Supreme Commander of the Confederacy of Independent Systems' Droid Armies during the Clone Wars. Grievous is voiced by Matthew Wood and first appeared in Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003) before appearing... read more

Grievous is probably the most infamous Jedi killer in the galaxy, complete with a murderous cybernetic wheeze that established him as the Vader before Vader became Vader. He is the villainous cyborg of the Clone Wars and the architect of the war atrocities of the Separatist alliance, and altogether very underrated in my opinion. Each lightsaber he collects is a trophy. A testament to all the Jedi he has slain in battle.
He is an unstoppable beast in Clone Wars and expanded material. He's less intimidating in TCW (The Clone Wars) and ROTS (Revenge of the Sith), but still an overall fun character with a strong presence. Also, literally everything this hulking mechanical monstrosity says becomes a meme, and I'm all here for it.
Lando Calrissian

Lando Calrissian is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He was portrayed by Billy Dee Williams in The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Donald Glover played a younger version of the character in Solo: A Star Wars Story.

This guy needs more attention. He was a pretty important character in the Original Trilogy, but he's always in the shadow of other characters like Vader, Luke, Han, and Leia. I think it's because he's not in A New Hope.

Come on, he is awesome and even at over 60 years old is still a classic smooth-talking gambler.

I love this dude. We needed that shady, smooth gangster who is also a really true friend.
Count Dooku

Count Dooku of Serenno is a fictional character from the Star Wars franchise. He appears as a major antagonist in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and as a minor antagonist in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith.... read more

Wow, I can't believe he wasn't even on the list! This guy is awesome! Okay, maybe he got some bonus points because he was played by the amazing Christopher Lee, but Dooku really is a cool character.

Learn more about him, and you will find that he's pretty cool. I used to dislike him myself but like him a lot more now. And he was played by the late and great Sir Christopher Lee (rest in peace).

I love him so much! He actually understands politics and the importance of it. He has a way with words and is such a gentleman too! Too bad they killed him off. Would love to see more of him.
Ahsoka Tano

Ahsoka Tano is a character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas and Dave Filoni. Introduced as the Padawan of Anakin Skywalker, she plays a central role in both the 2008 animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the subsequent TV series. Ashley Eckstein voiced Ahsoka in The Clone Wars... read more

Ahsoka Tano is a brave, quick, independent, stubborn, interesting, and non-human protagonist. She is beautiful, intelligent, snippy, and represents the growth that the franchise needed in a female character. Ahsoka is special because she is one of the few former Jedi to recognize the faults of the Council and the Jedi Order. She significantly impacts Anakin's life, being akin to his adopted daughter or little sister.
Ahsoka Tano is innocent yet strong in the Clone Wars, having still been a child when she was leading troops. She is not afraid to speak up to her master, unlike most other Padawans. Ahsoka Tano is essentially the icon of the two sabers and the white-colored sabers. She is my favorite female character because she embodies the beautiful character development needed and is so independent compared to other female characters in Star Wars.
Padme Amidala

Padmé Amidala is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She appears in the prequel trilogy and is portrayed by actress Natalie Portman. Padmé is the Queen and later Senator of Naboo and the mother of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa.... read more

Padme is superior to Leia in my opinion and one of my favorite characters in Star Wars. For one, she is far more beautiful than Leia could ever be and is the best looking female character to ever exist.
She is tougher than Leia too, as she has the durability advantage, such as when she fell on her back from 300 feet and was only knocked out for a minute, and is taller and stronger. She was so physically and mentally powerful that she survived battles that even Jedi knights and masters died in. Overall, she should be in the top 5.

Padme is a better character than Leia, as well as more badass! She was elected queen at age 14 and became skilled in martial arts and many subjects. She was compassionate, brave, and athletic.
Unlike Leia, Padme was not petite, standing at 5'5 and weighing 120 lbs, compared to Leia's 4'11 and 108 lbs. She was broader than Leia and stronger. In addition, she was also more feminine than Leia and had an angelic frame and a face that was more beautiful than the stars. Love Padme!
Jango Fett

Jango Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, created by George Lucas. He made his debut in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, where he was portrayed by actor Temuera Morrison. Jango is the genetic template for the clone troopers and the father of Boba Fett... read more

It's me again. I just wanted to say that I bought this Star Wars Galactic Battle Game figure online, and it came with a card. It said that his Force ability was 7, his battle skills were 16, then it said plus 4, which came to 20, the highest you can get. His intelligence was 12, his mechanical skills were 12, his leadership was 8, then had a plus 4, which came to 12, and his luck was 10. Altogether, he is 73 out of 100.
For Boba Fett, his Force ability is 8, then a plus 2, which makes it 10. His battle skills are 13, his intelligence is 12, his mechanical skills are 13 plus 1, which makes it 14. His leadership is 4, and his luck is 5. So altogether, it is 68 out of 100.
So in the end, we find out that Jango is better than Boba, so Jango should swap places with Boba on the leaderboard. But this does not mean that Boba isn't awesome at all. They are both still awesome. It's just that Jango is a little bit cooler and should not be put so far down on the leaderboard compared to Boba Fett, his son. Thanks for reading. Jango rocks!
BB-8

BB-8, also known as Beebee-Ate, is a spherical droid character in the Star Wars franchise. The character first appeared in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. BB-8 serves as the astromech droid companion to Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.

BB-8 has maximum screen time in The Force Awakens, and yes, it is adorable. It gets all the awww moments. It's like a new pet who loves everything it sees.

"They never cease to amaze me with what they're able to come up with, you know? I said, 'How are you ever gonna top R2-D2, the most adorable droid in movie history?' And then they have this new one…"
- Mark Hamill
Enough said.

BB-8 is the cutest droid ever. He should be in a much higher place.
Finn

FN-2187, better known as Finn, is a character from the Star Wars franchise. He made his first appearance in the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens, where he is introduced as a stormtrooper for the First Order who decides to defect after being horrified by the group's actions. Finn is portrayed by... read more

Spoiler
I think Finn is my favorite new addition to the Star Wars roster. He is well-acted and has good synergy with the rest of the cast. Unfortunately, he suffers from having his arc rushed for the sake of the plot. For me, a character's actions must stem from their stated motivations. In the film, his defection from the First Order comes about really quickly and isn't well explained.
This guy is presumably indoctrinated to believe the First Order are the good guys and the Resistance is some kind of terrorist organization. So when in the first scene his friend is killed by armed villagers harboring a fugitive, I don't understand why that garners sympathy for the villagers from him. Yeah, they went on to massacre the villagers after that.
I don't know if he left because he didn't like killing people or because he was afraid of being shot like his friend. If it is either of those things, then it makes no sense why he is so cavalier about killing scores of the people he grew up with (stormtroopers) throughout the entirety of the movie. I guess it will be up to the new Expanded Universe to explain all this.
Darth Revan

Revan is a fictional character from the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic video game developed by BioWare. While players can choose the character's gender, Revan is canonically a male who follows the light-side path. He is also the main character of the novel Star Wars: The Old Republic - Revan... read more

I think that the concept of Revan is cool - a Jedi willing to go against the Jedi Order's instructions to do what they think is right, then falling to the dark side, and maybe getting redeemed (without immediately dying, a rarity in Star Wars!) or maybe going back to the dark side.
I also think that the choices Revan made as a character are what make them so compelling. I'd be happy to see more Revan stories in the comics, too.

Due to his actions, philosophies, and involvement in major pivotal events and conflicts of the Old Republic era, Revan is arguably one of the most important characters in the entire Star Wars franchise. His influence in the Old Republic series, as well as his posthumous impact on the philosophies of the Sith, cements his significance.