Star Wars: 20 Worst Franchise Moments (So Far)
17. Jyn Erso's Sulking
Film: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
When The Force Awakens came out, it was satisfying that it was for once a Star Wars film not led by a whiny young man. Unfortunately, Rogue One had another unlikable lead character, but this time in the form of Felicity Jones' Jyn Erso.
Jones is a strong actress and her performance is fine, but the writing lets her down. Whenever she's on-screen, Jyn does nothing but complain, sulk and act like a stroppy teenager and she's also an under-developed protagonist, much like the rest of the Rogue One crew. Moments which were meant to be moving such as her reunion with Saw Gerrera or her attempts to convince the Rebel Alliance to attack Scarif fall flat thanks to Jyn's relentlessly downcast demeanor and the total lack of humor or warmth in the character.
Compared to the likability and charm of Rey, Jyn is a charmless, humorless bore although this is not Felicity Jones' fault. This is another showcase of the Star Wars franchise's unfortunate habit of wasting talented actors (much like Forrest Whitaker) and is the perfect summation of the problems Rogue One had with characterization.