REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The Acolyte’ Episodes 1-2

The Star Wars fandom was forever opened to infinite possibilities when the High Republic era took fans back multiple centuries to a time before the Skywalker name was even a whisper on the hyperspace lanes. Comics and novels have provided extensive lore for nearly 150 years, dating back to 382 BBY. Yet, there’s still so much left to be told. Thanks to director Leslye Headland, the gap between The High Republic era and the Skywalker Saga is now a little smaller. Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 gives fans their first live-action look into this very different era of Star Wars.

From the beginning, Star Wars: The Acolyte proves we have a great opportunity here as a fandom to unite once again. This isn’t about the toxic community that has driven so many away but rather about welcoming back those who have been driven away and are looking for a chance to experience Star Wars with a new sense of wonder and excitement.

One that doesn’t come with the baggage of needing to know which Jedi did what or which animated series you needed to watch to understand the characters’ actions, as in Ahsoka. Or waiting for a second season of a prequel to a prequel like Andor. The High Republic era in the comics and novels has prided itself on being accessible, no matter where you jump in the story. Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 brings that same level of care. You don’t need to know anything other than that this story took place long before the Skywalker Saga.

As Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 progresses, expect it to continue subverting your expectations at every turn. This should come as no surprise when considering the production team behind The Acolyte. Many cast members hail from drama backgrounds, suggesting a departure from the typical Disney Star Wars formula. The cast is led by director Leslye Headland, known for her work on Russian Doll, which indicates that the narrative is poised to run the emotional gamut throughout its concise eight-episode run.

Adding to the series’ unique flavor is the inclusion of Michael Abels as the music composer. Abels, acclaimed for his work on Get Out, Nope, and Us, brings a distinctive soundscape that promises to challenge and redefine musical expectations within the Star Wars universe. His compositions are known for their ability to heighten tension and evoke deep emotional responses, which will undoubtedly add to the series’ dark and mysterious tone.

From the first sequence of the Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2, it’s clear the show isn’t wasting any time in defining itself. The plot moves fast. This is a revenge story through and through, reminiscent of a dark side Knights of the Old Republic II playthrough. Antagonist Mae (Amandla Stenberg) is on the hunt for Jedi who have done her wrong, and she is prepared to do whatever it takes to carry out her revenge. The Force is strong with her, and not even Jedi Masters can stand in her way.

The opening sequences showcase the dedication to choreography in Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2. The fight style is noticeably different from what we’ve seen in other iconic battles in the fandom. This features a more fluid, martial arts-inspired approach rather than the heavy, lightsaber-focused combat. Dubbed “Force-fu,” Carrie-Anne Moss brings this new style to life in a way only she can as Jedi Master Indara. As the drama behind these fights builds, I have no doubt that The Acolyte will feature some of the best action sequences in the Star Wars universe. Not just for their fancy lightsaber use but for the depth and weight behind each confrontation.

The folly of the Jedi themselves drives the plot for Mae’s revenge. As she begins to carry out her mission, Mae draws the attention of a colorful cast of Jedi who set to bring her to justice. However, as the plot begins to unfold, the Jedi may not be as innocent as they are to be believed. While many in the galaxy see them as peacekeepers and instrumental in its expansion, the High Republic phases show that some believe the Jedi’s folly is the true evil in the galaxy.

This opens up narratives about the Jedi beginning their fall, blinded by their wielding of the Force. The High Republic era is filled with different sects that use or oppose the Force in various ways. On Jedha alone, at least seven groups made up the Convocation of the Force. While we haven’t seen them specifically in The Acolyte, groups like the Path of the Open Hand opposed the Jedi’s use of the Force, believing it caused death and disaster.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 picks up these threads, showing Jedi abusing their power, using mind tricks, and making arrests without actual proof—actions uncharacteristic of Jedi, even in the Skywalker era. The interconnectedness of the Jedi and the political landscape hundreds of years ago is evident. With concerns about this murder investigation affecting their standing, political intrigue is ripe to be explored.

And caught in the middle is the protagonist and former Jedi padawan, Osha. Also played by Amandla Stenberg, who pulls double duty on the cast, Osha stands accused of the murders committed by Mae. While her faith in the Order, fans of Ahsoka Tano know all too well how understanding the Jedi are in these types of matters. Thankfully, she has her former master, Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-Jae), to lean on. Together, they work desperately to clear Osha’s name in Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2.

One thing is for sure: by the end of Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2, this series is committed to making bold choices. Characters are not bound by plot armor, and their fates are genuinely uncertain. These characters don’t need to be alive for the Skywalker Saga, so the plot can do what makes the most sense. Even as honorable as characters like Jedi Master Sol appear to be, there is something sinister bubbling beneath the surface for the Jedi Order. Expect this commitment to continue, reshaping what we know about Star Wars canon and the fall of the Jedi.

Despite its new and exciting aspects, the production crew are Star Wars fans, ensuring the core aesthetic elements of Star Wars remain. Practical effects, crucial to immersing viewers, are used alongside the Volume technology. Coupled with the very intentional costume design by Jennifer Bryan, the immersion for this era is effortless. We can expect a new wave of cosplay possibilities, uniting fans through their love of dressing up as favorite characters.

Further, Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 showcases the diversity in the casting that Headland handpicked. Not only in its humans but also its use of aliens. Quickly dispensing with just one token alien per show, the series boasts a wide variety of aliens. Notable Dafnee Keen as Jecki Lon, a Theelin-human hybrid Jedi Padawan, and Rebecca Henderson as Vernestra Rwoh, a Mirialan Jedi Master, shine in their portrayal. I have always wanted more aliens in my space opera, and The Acolyte seems more than ready to provide.

I may not know what it felt like to experience Star Wars in 1977 or see The Phantom Menace in theaters, but I remember the excitement after The Force Awakens. Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 evoke similar feelings of uncertainty, spectacular subversion, and a wonderful cast of characters to explore. Knowing that many will have their stories told in comics and novels as this era begins makes it even more exciting.

The passion and care that went into Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 is undeniable. By the end of the two-episode debut, you have everything you need to know about the series. Immediately, it draws you into its dark and mysterious plot, daring you to take the leap into a new era of Star Wars storytelling. With the promise of a murder mystery, political intrigue, and the folly of the Jedi, the possibilities are endless.

Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1-2 is streaming exclusively on Disney+ on June 4th, 2024 at 6:00 PM PT.