Star Wars: The Acolyte Brings Mystery to the Galaxy Far, Far Away

With multiple Disney+ shows that waver in quality and a substandard sequel trilogy, Star Wars fans are hyper-critical and tired. As I turned on the first episode of The Acolyte—a murder mystery set in a galaxy far, far away—I knew the show would have to fight an uphill battle to keep me engaged.

It’s already sparked heated debate online, but if you can ignore a few discrepancies with the Star Wars canon, you might actually enjoy it. It turns out that a new time period and a new cast of characters were the jumpstarts this franchise needed. But this summer is an entertainment hot spot—House of the Dragon, The Bear, and The Boys are all airing new seasons, so now the question is: Does The Acolyte have enough gas in the tank? 

Considering the declining state of the franchise, I would expect a juggernaut hit like HBO’s House of the Dragon to blow The Acolyte out of the water in both viewership and online conversation. But The Acolyte has the advantage of being an original series—it’s not another season of The Mandalorian or focused on a character we already know.

I would argue that this I-Know-What-You-Did-Last-Summer-esque mystery is unique and thrilling enough to keep viewers tuned in. The best mysteries hold tension, and The Acolyte does so seamlessly. The show balances between a past and present storyline, which gave me new questions as soon as old ones were answered. I found myself eagerly awaiting new episodes and desperate for more reveals. 

I will admit, as a Star Wars fan, there were times when I was scratching my head, wondering if The Acolyte just broke some forbidden Star Wars rule. The show takes place one hundred years before the prequel trilogy, which has fans wondering if 800-year-old Yoda will appear. The Acolyte does not cross all their t’s or dot all their i’s, but as the episodes progressed, I found it easy to pocket that itch deep into my mind.

The new unnamed Sith is easily one of the creepiest Star Wars villains to date, and for once, I did not notice The Volume, large LED light walls that Disney plasters all over its Disney+ content. But it’s the Jedi that kept me coming back for more. After years of fans picking apart Rey and Kylo Ren’s every move, watching a barrage of Jedi light up my screen felt like a return to the golden age of this space saga. 

The show also has a refreshing amount of on-screen diversity. Amandla Stenberg (she/they) is asked to do a lot of heavy lifting, playing a pair of twins. Stenberg shines, delivering both a scathing and quirky performance. Her characters offer a youth-like innocence similar to Ahsoka’s in The Clone Wars and Luke Skywalker’s in A New Hope.  Anyone who calls her performance cringeworthy or childish should remind themselves that this space odyssey started with a 19-year-old Luke, and Stenberg’s twins are only a year younger at 18.

Squid Game’s Lee Jung-jae stands out as an experienced yet pure-hearted Jedi. Jung-jae impressively learned English for the role in just months. I’m delighted to say that his stoic yet intricate performance cements him in the Jedi Hall of Fame. Carrie Anne-Mosses’ Indara pulled me in immediately, but hardcore Moss fans should note that her screen time is minimal. 

Stenberg identifies as queer, and alongside Showrunner Lesslie Hedland, has made headlines for making jokes about droids C3PO and R2D2’s sexuality. “I think it’s canon that R2-D2 is a lesbian,” Hedland says in an online interview. The pair’s interviews have upset certain corners of the Star Wars fandom, but just how gay is the actual show?

Despite Stenberg’s sexuality, the show has no queer leads. Episode three showcases a coven of force-wielding witches led by Mother Aniseya (Jodie Turner-Smith). It’s heavily implied that Turner-Smith’s character is in a relationship with a fellow witch, Mother Koril (Margarita Levieva), but the episode’s quick pace only gives them one defining scene. Both Mother Koril and Mother Aniseya are fierce and visually intriguing characters with a new outlook on the force. However, it remains unclear if their roles will extend past flashback scenes. 

 It is also worth noting that gay actor Charlie Barnett delivers a laugh-out-loud performance as Yord, a stuck-up yet lovable Jedi Knight. You may recognize Barnett from Tales of the City or Russian Doll.  

The Acolyte has truly renewed my faith in Star Wars’ ability to craft new and exciting stories. While I anticipate the show will wreak havoc on the internet, anyone interested in a show with genuine twists and engaging characters should check it out

New episodes of The Acolyte are streaming now on Disney+.

Photo courtesy of StarWars.com