If you’ve ever looked closely at the Praetorian Guards in The Last Jedi, you’ve probably wondered the same thing:
How can they see? Their helmets look like smooth, impenetrable masks with no eye holes, giving them a menacing, almost robotic vibe.
But if they can’t see, how are they supposed to be elite fighters protecting Supreme Leader Snoke?
Well, here’s the secret—and you might want to take a closer look at their helmets to spot it.
Let’s dig into this hidden detail that might just surprise you.
The Practicality Behind the Design
First things first, let’s get one thing clear: the Praetorian Guards have different helmet designs depending on the series.
If you’ve noticed, the Praetorian Guards in The Mandalorian series have helmets that look quite different from those in The Last Jedi.
In The Mandalorian, the helmets feature a T-shaped visor—kind of like the Mandalorian and Clone Trooper helmets we’re familiar with, though a bit narrower.
However, the helmets of the Praetorian Guards in The Last Jedi, especially in that unforgettable scene where Kylo Ren and Rey fight them side by side, look completely smooth and impenetrable, with no visible eye holes.
I mean, how could they be such fierce fighters if they couldn’t see what’s going on?
Turns out, that is not what we thought, if you look closely, you’ll actually spot tiny slits in their helmets, just subtle enough to go unnoticed.
It’s kind of like the protective mesh in fencing masks.
The slits are blended so well into the design that you’d hardly see them, even up close. This clever detail keeps their faces hidden but still lets them see everything they need to during a fight.
You can spot this detail in the moment when Kylo Ren stands in front of Snoke.
When Snoke hits Kylo with a quick burst of Force lightning, the guards switch from guarding to full battle-ready mode.
If you pay close attention around the 2:22 mark, or just pause the video for a second you’ll catch those small, subtle lines in front of their helmets.
It’s easy to miss, but once you see it, you’ll get how they’re able to keep an eye on everything while looking as intimidating as ever.
Even if that’s not enough, here’s another piece of proof, so you don’t have to rely solely on the video.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi: The Visual Dictionary is a visual reference guide for Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi, published by DK and written by Pablo Hidalgo.
Released on December 15, 2017, the same day as the film, this book dives into detailed information about the movie’s characters, settings, and designs.
Inside, you’ll find clear details about the Praetorian Guards, including those subtle “slits” on their helmets. Unlike in the film, the book provides a close-up look at these details, so you can easily spot the design without squinting.
Or you can check it yourself with this image here.
