I feel like many people look at Kylo and Vader through the lens of them being authoritarian dictators, when I think we should look at them through the lens of family. Fathers and sons. This isn’t a story about Adolf Hitler or a Neo-Nazi, it’s a story about your estranged father or your misguided son. Or even you, after you’ve realized you’ve made some mistakes in your life and you may have hurt people you care about. And I think the films try to send a message that it is never too late do try and do the right thing. To make amends with your loved ones.
Yes. I think it’s important to note that, while the Empire and First Order clearly invoke fascist iconography, Vader and Kylo don’t. Vader looks like a samurai, Kylo a black knight. They exist outside of the typical structure of the Empire and FO leadership. Their biggest crimes, in terms of how the story portrays it, is killing their fathers.