Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 10 Ways It Sets Up Episode IX
7. Kylo Ren As The Main Bad Guy
Everyone assumed that Supreme Leader Snoke would be the primary baddie of both Episode VIII and Episode IX, so it was a surprise when he was killed off, leaving Kylo Ren in charge of the First Order.
This makes Kylo the Resistance's main opposition in Episode IX. We already saw him trying to finish them off during the Battle Of Crait, his thirst for power and need to wipe out the past compelling him to finish the Resistance once and for all.
And though he's unsuccessful, this drive is presumably still within him, and he'll carry on his hunt once Episode IX picks up.
And, from the Resistance's point of view, Kylo is their primary target. With him gone, the First Order would lack any Force users, making them much less of a threat than they were before.
Leia has also resigned herself to the fact that Kylo needs to die, after practically giving Luke her blessing to go out and kill him. She knows her son is basically gone, and after a failed attempt to turn him to the light side, Rey is starting to realise this too.
All this conflict is likely to come to a head in the next episode, with Kylo and the Resistance squaring off to determine the fate of the galaxy.