Adam Driver Embraces Emo Kylo Ren In His New ‘SNL’ Promo With Kate McKinnon
"We're going to laugh and joke and dance like everything's okay, but EVERYTHING'S NOT OKAY."
Over the past few weeks since the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, much of the long-awaited gleeful nerdom, critical praise, and comparisons to previous films in the franchise has been eclipsed by something slightly less expected: a deep fascination with the fact the film’s villain is an adorable sulking manbaby. As a young man battling inner turmoil after being seduced to the Dark Side, Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is a scarily apt portrayal of your 13-year-old brother who got really into My Chemical Romance after that jerk Jessica tore his heart out beside the monkey bars.
So began the reign of Emo Kylo Ren:
*comes to school after a three-day weekend* my name isn't Ben any more it's KYLO REN and i'm a dark knight
— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 21, 2015
*applies black eyeliner* my parents don't understand me and i hate them *applies black helmet*
— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 22, 2015
*angrily failing to cut the crusts off his own sandwiches*
— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 22, 2015
With more than 710,000 followers, the parody account has resonated with many fans and, for better or worse, affected many audiences’ perceptions of the character on screen. Now Adam Driver is leaning in to the whole thing and perfectly channeling the resulting hyper-angst for his upcoming hosting gig on SNL.
“[We’re going] to laugh and joke and dance like everything’s okay, but EVERYTHING’S NOT OKAY,” he says, stealing a direct quote from your brother straightening his fringe before the Year 10 formal.
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SNL returns from its holiday break this weekend.