'The Acolyte' Review: Finally A Unique 'Star Wars' Spin-Off
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- Published: Tuesday, 04 June 2024 11:38
- Written by Lupe R Haas
The Acolyte is a breath of fresh air with a storyline different from any other Star Wars property. The new Disney+ show doesn’t rely on past events in the saga, instead forging its own path with exciting new characters and world. The Acolyte is high-quality art with great production design and costumes that are out of this world.
Set in the final days of the High Republic, a string of Jedi murders sets off a manhunt for a former Padawan suspected of committing the crimes.
The 8-episode series stars Dafne Keen (“Jecki Lon”), Amandla Stenberg (“Mae”), Lee Jung-jae (“Sol”), Manny Jacinto (“Qimir”), Charlie Barnett (“Yord Fandar”), Jodie Turner-Smith (“Mother Aniseya”), Rebecca Henderson (“Vernestra Rwoh”), Dean-Charles Chapman (“Toblin”), Joonas Suotamo (“Kelnacca”), and Carrie-Anne Moss (“Indara”).
Russian Doll executive producer Leslye Headland spearheads this new galactic foray that expands this Star Wars universe set 100 years before the events of the Skywalker saga.
Disney and LucasFilm made the first four episodes available for the press.
The series kicks off shockingly. It literally goes in for the kill with a fight and a murder. The turn of events will leave most people disappointed, but it’s a cool jolt into this new space that sets up the entire show.
Amandla Stenberg is superb in the role but we can’t say more due to spoiler territory.
She won’t be the only favorite with Lee Jung-jae’s “Sol” taking a top spot as a compassionate and masterful Jedi.
Manny Jacinto (“Qimir”) also stands out as a swindler and accomplice. Daphne Keen’s (LOGAN) “Jecki” character is also an interesting addition as an open-minded Padawan constantly learning and asking all the right questions.
The Acolyte will disappoint in that characters are introduced and then killed off so we don’t know much about these intriguing characters. However, that’s the beauty of the show in setting up many mysteries that will be answered in the upcoming episodes.
The production design is high-quality art with great set pieces and lighting that accentuates every detail, and sets the dark tone. The intricate wardrobe also sticks out with beautiful designs that pop off the screen.
The Acolyte sets up new ground with a familiar culture. The new Disney+ show is intriguing and world builds upon a Star Wars franchise that often feels stagnant. In this series, knowledge of the previous series or movies is not needed. The Acolyte is something different and most people will appreciate its uniqueness while others will diss it just because hate culture is the new clickbait.
The first two episodes of The Acolyte premieres Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. PT on Disney+ with a new episode available weekly on Tuesdays, for a total of six additional episodes.