Why Does Anakin Turn Evil Darth Vader in Star Wars?

One of the most dramatic encounters in Star Wars history was set on the hot planet of Mustafar. The Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker, faced Obi-Wan Kenobi, his best friend and former Jedi Master.

This battle marked the beginning of Anakin's transition into Star Wars Darth Vader, which stunned fans worldwide. However, he chose the dark side and became one of the most dangerous and feared Sith lords for reasons other than warring with his best buddy.

After all, the famed villain was once just a regular farmboy meant to restore harmony to the Force. Numerous factors contribute to Anakin's transformation into Darth Vader, rather than just one or two.

Let's go back to the beginning of Anakin Skywalker's story. Should we?

Anakin's Early Life and Personality

Anakin Skywalker, often known as the Slave Boy or the Chosen One, meets Qui-Gon Jinn in Watto's trash dealer's store. Jinn discovers Anakin's potential and Force Sensitivity while searching for parts to fix their spaceship.

He was an enslaved person with a remarkable aptitude for mechanics on Tatooine, where his adventure started. Seeing his promise, Qui-Gon Jinn chose to teach him Jedi techniques. But the Council refused him admittance because of his fear, which surfaced after he separated from his mother. The first crucial event establishes the framework for his internal struggle.

Additionally, he was mature enough to reflect on and mourn the separation. Going against the Council's will, Jinn still trains Anakin with the hope that he'll bring balance to the Force.

Anakin's humility and compassion were apparent even as a young child. He eagerly helped Qui-Gon Jinn repair his starship and cared deeply for his friends, Kitster and Wald. His dream of freeing all the enslaved people once he became a Jedi was a testament to his kind heart.

Anakin's personality evolved with age. He became prideful and rebellious, struggling with his emotions. He even despised the greed of politicians and distrusted those who made him doubt his abilities. As his fame and powers grew, so did his overconfidence, secretly believing he could defeat any Jedi blindfolded with one lightsaber tied behind his back.

Sidious sensed all of it from afar. But, but! Anakin was never this way—fearful, angry, and insecure. These emotions began to grow in him due to several incidents, gradually shaping his life. 

5 Key Moments Leading to Anakin's Turn to Evil

 Sidious saw an opening in Anakin's goals and terror and couldn't help but seize the opportunity. Particularly after the Jedi Temple slaughter, he began to control him. However, if you thought that was the pivotal moment that caused Anakin to turn Sith, you were mistaken.

Undoubtedly, posing as Palpatine, Darth Sidious took advantage of his weaknesses. However, these are the top five reasons why Anakin became wicked.

1. The Death of His Mother

The passing of Anakin's mother, Shmi Skywalker, was one of the most important turning points in his life.

Anakin returns to Tatooine after seeing visions of her suffering, only to discover that the Tusken Raiders have taken her hostage.

She passes away in his arms despite his best attempts to save her, which makes Anakin furious. His first deed toward the evil side was the massacre of the whole Tusken Raider camp.

2. Forbidden Love with Padmé Amidala

His covert marriage to Padmé Amidala further complicated Anakin's life. Anakin's love for Padmé was too intense for the Jedi Code, which prohibited attachment.

This love turned into a huge source of anxiety and terror, especially after he started seeing images of her dying after childbirth. Because he was desperate to save her at all costs, he was easily swayed by those who wanted to corrupt him.

3. The Influence of Palpatine

Well, Chancellor Palpatine was a big part of his change. After all, Palpatine was the Sith Lord Darth Sidious.

Palpatine played with Anakin's psyche by promising him incredible power to save Padmé through the dark side of the Force. He knew Vader was insecure and afraid, so his guidance and manipulation steadily damaged Anakin's faith in the Jedi Council, which caused him to change sides.

4. Distrust of the Jedi Council

Another factor contributing to Anakin's shift to the dark side is his increasing mistrust of the Jedi Council.

In Star Wars: The Clone Wars, season 5, the Jedi Council suspends Ahsoka, deeply unsettles Anakin and makes him question their leadership and judgment.

However, the Council was hesitant to promote him to Jedi Master despite his remarkable accomplishments and abilities. Their suspicions and evasive actions, along with this perceived slight, made Anakin feel even more alienated and betrayed.

5. The Betrayal of Mace Windu

When Anakin Skywalker steps in to break up the fight between Mace Windu and Palpatine, the last game-changer establishes that he is, in fact, Darth Vader.

Anakin finally decides to go with Palpatine because he thinks he has the key to rescuing Padmé, which results in Windu's demise. This deed cemented his dedication to the evil side, and he wholeheartedly accepted his new persona as Darth Vader.

Anakin Skywalker as The Darth Vader

Haven't we all witnessed Darth Vader's brutality? He was a key player in implementing Order 66, killed Count Dooku under Palpatine's control, and lost his master, Qui-Gon Jinn, which caused him to fear losing his loved ones.

Without hesitation, he slew fellow Jedi and younglings as he led the attack on the Jedi Temple. His position as Palpatine's apprentice was secured by this ruthless deed, which also sealed the grave of his old self.

But Anakin's change reached its climax when he was dispatched to Mustafar to kill the Separatist commanders. Here, he faced Obi-Wan Kenobi in what is today referred to as "The Duel on Mustafar," his tragic duel still gives many chills.

He was finally defeated and thought dead, but Palpatine saved him and turned him into the famous Sith Lord Darth Vader cyborg.