Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith takes place during the final days of the Clone Wars and is the third movie in the canon timeline of Star Wars events. Jedi Knights Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker lead a daring mission to rescue Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who has been kidnapped by General Grievous, the leader of the Separatist droid army. They infiltrate Grievous’ flagship, where they confront Count Dooku. In a fierce duel, Anakin defeats Dooku and, at Palpatine’s urging, executes him in cold blood, a significant step toward the dark side. The Jedi escape, and Anakin returns to Coruscant, where he reunites with his secret wife, Padmé Amidala, who reveals that she is pregnant.
While Anakin is initially overjoyed by the news, he begins experiencing prophetic visions of Padmé dying in childbirth, similar to the dreams he had about his mother before her death. Desperate to prevent this fate, Anakin seeks guidance but finds little help from the Jedi Council. Meanwhile, Chancellor Palpatine grows closer to Anakin, subtly influencing him by sowing distrust in the Jedi and promising knowledge of the dark side that could save Padmé’s life. When the Jedi Council assigns Anakin to spy on Palpatine, he becomes increasingly conflicted and resentful of their distrust.
Obi-Wan is sent to track down General Grievous on the planet Utapau. After an intense battle, he successfully kills Grievous, effectively ending the Separatist military leadership. Meanwhile, Palpatine finally reveals his true identity to Anakin—he is Darth Sidious, the Sith Lord controlling the war. He tempts Anakin with the power of the dark side, claiming it is the only way to save Padmé. Conflicted, Anakin reports Palpatine to Jedi Master Mace Windu, who confronts the Sith Lord.
Windu and three other Jedi attempt to arrest Palpatine, but he quickly kills the other Jedi and engages Windu in a duel. Windu gains the upper hand and prepares to execute Palpatine, but Anakin intervenes at the last moment, severing Windu’s hand. Palpatine uses his Sith lightning to kill Windu, solidifying Anakin’s fall. Pledging himself to the Sith, Anakin takes on the name Darth Vader and follows Palpatine’s orders to eliminate the Jedi.
Palpatine executes Order 66, commanding the clone troopers to turn on their Jedi commanders across the galaxy. As Jedi are slaughtered, Anakin leads an assault on the Jedi Temple, massacring everyone inside, including younglings. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan and Yoda survive the purge and return to witness the devastation at the temple. They split up, with Obi-Wan going to confront Anakin and Yoda challenging Palpatine.
Padmé, devastated by Anakin’s actions, travels to the volcanic planet Mustafar, where he has killed the remaining Separatist leaders. Obi-Wan stows away on her ship, leading to a fateful confrontation. When Anakin sees Obi-Wan, he believes Padmé has betrayed him, and in his rage, he force-chokes her unconscious. Obi-Wan and Anakin engage in a brutal lightsaber duel across Mustafar’s lava rivers, ending with Obi-Wan severing Anakin’s limbs and leaving him to burn.
Meanwhile, Yoda duels Palpatine in the Senate chamber but is ultimately forced to retreat. Palpatine declares himself Emperor, transforming the Republic into the Galactic Empire. He finds Anakin’s charred body and rescues him, placing him in a life-sustaining black suit, completing his transformation into Darth Vader. At the same time, Padmé gives birth to twins, Luke and Leia, but dies shortly after, believing there is still good in Anakin.
Obi-Wan and Yoda go into hiding, with Obi-Wan taking Luke to Tatooine to be raised by his uncle Owen and aunt Beru, while Leia is adopted by Bail Organa of Alderaan. As Vader and Palpatine oversee the construction of the Death Star, the stage is set for the rise of the Rebellion and the events of the original trilogy. The film ends with Obi-Wan watching over Luke, hinting at the hope that will one day bring balance to the Force.