REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Episode 5

Since its premiere, Star Wars: The Acolyte has encouraged fans to subvert their expectations. With a murder mystery as the backdrop, anything can happen with its cast and characters, and its creatives know it. The Acolyte Episode 5, titled “Night,” stays true to that unpredictability. Director Alex Garcia Lopez encourages fans to revisit the theme of attachments as beloved characters transform into the Force. All while graciously soothing the pain with some of the best fight choreography seen in Star Wars.

After an abrupt cliffhanger, The Acolyte Episode 5 jumps right back into the action. Like its predecessor, “Night” has a shorter runtime than fans might prefer. However, the episode moves quickly as the Jedi face off against the Master. Despite their numbers, the Jedi are no match for this formidable foe.

Though not confirmed, it appears the dark side user employs cortosis, a metal known for its high energy absorption, allowing it to withstand lightsaber blows and even deactivate them. This makes the masked villain nearly invincible, leaving the Jedi clueless about how to defeat him. His armor and modified lightsaber render his movements unpredictable, both for the viewers and the Jedi who fall to his red blade.

While I had my own theory about who the Master was, I must admit I was mesmerized by Manny Jacinto as the  Sith Master. His selection seemed obvious, and I hoped for a more surprising choice, but Qimir definitely walked so Sidious could run in the Skywalker Saga. From his fight choreography, directed by Mark Ginther, to his line delivery and swift, deadly movements, Jacinto ensures fans recognize Qimir as a formidable force, no pun intended. Coupled with yet again another heart-thumping score from Michael Abels, the action sequences are some of the best in the franchise.

It doesn’t end with Jacinto, either. Dafne Keen, as Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon, shows exactly why she was handpicked by creator Lesyle Headland. The calm and calculated Jecki fights ferociously against both Mae and Qimir. Meanwhile, Yord’s (Charlie Barnett) struggle highlights how ill-prepared the Jedi Order is to face a threat of this magnitude. Despite her capability, Jecki is still a child, and Yord is essentially a rookie cop dealing with a terrorist threat. With all their flashy robes and snarky comments, none of them truly understand the power of the dark side of the Force.

Star Wars is known for its share of brutal deaths, but The Acolyte Episode 5 takes it even further. Perhaps it’s the weekly release format that has allowed the online community to rally behind side characters. Or the series’ flirtation with horror. Either way, the deaths in this episode were particularly shocking. It’s not because I was deeply attached to the characters but because of the brutal manner in which Qimir dispatches them and then speaks about them as if they were nothing. With much more apathy than we have seen from many Star Wars villains.

To see characters who have become fan favorites dispatch with such disregard was certainly jarring. However, this is the ticket we bought. With the emergence of the Sith a long way from being revealed to the whole of the Jedi Order, many of these characters are not long for this world. One way or another. The Acolyte Episode 5 makes that clear. Further, the dialogue between Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and Qimir hints at more story to unfold, possibly beyond that night on Brendok. And most heartbreakingly, with Master Sol at the root of it all.

The Acolyte Episode 5 continues to challenge the moral grounds of what it means to be a Jedi. The Jedi we see in the Prequel trilogy are burdened by their narrow view of the Force, which blinds them to the Sith in their midst. The Acolyte explores the beginning of this decline during the end of the High Republic Era, a time when the Jedi were in their Golden Age. Yet, even then, some disagreed with the Jedi’s control over the Force. Groups like The Path of the Open Hand and the Nihil openly opposed the Jedi in the High Republic novels and comics. Qimir’s criticism of the Jedi echoes similar sentiments.

Despite online discourse, it’s plausible that the Jedi in this series are unaware of the secret Sith in their presence. After facing formidable foes during their supposed era of peace, they would likely focus on known threats, not suspecting a Sith presence that had been hidden for thousands of years. Even Yoda failed to recognize the simmering Sith threat during the High Republic.

Just as the Rule of Two kept the Sith hidden until their revenge, the Jedi seem destined to confront them eventually. During times of peace, it’s clear that the Jedi at the end of the High Republic era have lost their way. The series shows the Jedi acting more like law enforcement than the generals they would become in the Clone Wars era. As The Acolyte Episode 5 unfolds and Qimir reveals his villainy, the blame once again may fall on the Jedi.

Star Wars is about perspective. Many stories and character experiences are always framed from a certain point of view. Anakin’s shift in perspective on the Jedi was a key factor in his fall to the dark side. The Acolyte Episode 5 only briefly begins to explore similar themes with Osha and Mae. It’s here that the episode becomes a victim of its runtime and pacing.

Even with all of the intense action and Sith revelations, there is not nearly enough time with Mae and Osha (Amandla Stenberg). Despite her training, Mae was ready to leave the Sith teachings to be with her sister. Her perspective changed. However, Osha still blames Mae for the coven’s destruction and views the Jedi as the good guys. But as the too quickly and too suddenly cliffhanger appears, Osha’s faith in the Jedi will likely be tested once she learns the truth.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode 5 all but guarantees a tragic ending for its characters. Fortunately, that end will come with some of the best fight choreography the franchise has seen. Director Alex Garcia Lopez excels in pushing the characters and fans to reevaluate long-held truths about the franchise’s universe. More importantly, the episode brings to life stories previously confined to print within the Star Wars franchise. The earliest forms of the Sith are beginning to emerge, establishing the series as a true prequel to the Skywalker Saga.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Episode 5 is streaming exclusively on Disney+, with new episodes every Tuesday at 6:00 PM PT.