REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Visions’ Episode 4 – “The Village Bride”

Star Wars: Visions Episode 4, “The Village Bride,” is a look into the culture of a planet and adds to the lore of the Star Wars franchise beautifully. Animated by Kinema Citrus, this episode is directed by Hitoshi Haga and written by Takahito Oonishi and Hitoshi Tani with an ethereal score by Kevin Penkin. The episode also features the voices of Karen Fukuhara, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Nichole Sakura, Christopher Sean, Stephanie Sheh, and Andrew Kishino.

In Star Wars: Visions Episode 4, we see two stories that run analogously. The first is a young couple fulfilling a marriage ceremony that connects their union with their planet and deciding to spend the rest of their lives together. At the same time, a lone woman has sought out refuge on the planet, hiding her face and her intentions. But, when it’s revealed that this wedding may be the last happy moment of the bride’s life because of a deal with a raider, the two stories meet.

When their stories converge, audiences are hit with one of the core elements of Star Wars stories: fighting oppression and rebelling. But rebellion and resiliency, while important to Star Wars: Visions Episode 4, aren’t the only narrative elements at play. At its core, “The Village Bride” is about memories and longing and the future we move towards. And, it’s also about grief. For the couple, it’s about their childhood together and their future which has all but been taken away by raiders on the planet. For the mysterious woman, it’s about the pain she carries with her and the fear of stepping up.

For a 17-minute episode, Star Wars: Visions Episode 4 manages to pack in a lot of world-building and even more emotion. While I was hesitant about this episode when I read the title, I was blown away by the complexity and fearlessness of the women in “The Village Bride.” There is a softness and vulnerability that exists simultaneously with a stubborn, fighting spirit.

Overall, “The Village Bride” continues a strong showing for Star Wars: Visions and Kinema Citrus has brought to life a vibrant story that nails visual beauty and writing.

Star Wars: Visions is streaming now exclusively on Disney+.