Summary
The Acolyte,Star Wars’latest live-action TV show, begins with a promising, dark mystery at its center. Almost immediately,The Acolytepulls us into the show’s section on the franchise’s timeline.Star Wars' High Republic Erais a delight to see onscreen, especially as someone who is a fan of the various books set beforeStar Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.With slick fight scenes, a good cast, an enticing mystery, and a perfect visual style,The Acolyteepisodes 1 and 2 kick the series off to a promising start.
The Acolyte’s Mystery Is Introduced Immediately & Is Incredibly Compelling
The Acolyte’s pacing helps the central mystery feel incredibly important
As soon asThe Acolyte’s opening text fades away, the show drops us straight into the heart of its plot. Instantly,The Acolyte’s script offers everything we need to know: Mae (Amandla Stenberg) is seeking revenge against the Jedi and will stop at nothing to kill those on her hit list.The Acolyteis careful about what it does and does not reveal, aided by showrunner Leslye Headland’s experience with writing mysteries that slowly unravel, such as Netflix’sRussian Doll.
When Is The Acolyte Set In The Star Wars Timeline?
The Acolyte will introduce viewers to a whole new part of the Star Wars timeline - but how does this next Disney+ TV show fit with the Skywalker saga?
These teases help to makeThe Acolyteso compelling. Why Mae is killing Jedi, who she works for, and what her motivations are lie at the center ofThe Acolyte, and are stretched across the opening two episodes. AsThe Acolyteepisode 2 came to a close, I was satisfied with what the show’s mystery had presented thus far. Some hints about Mae’s history with the Jedi are provided, though not too much to quell anticipation for the coming installments. Just asany good mystery box showshould,The Acolyte’s answers come with an equal number of intriguing questions.
The identity ofThe Acolyte’s mysterious Sith villainremains the most exciting part of the show, creating a looming sense of dread that permeates proceedings.
The Acolyte’s Action Sequences Are A Breath Of Fresh Air For Star Wars
Great choreography, long take, and storytelling weave perfectly to craft fantastic action scenes
Aside from the mystery at its center,The Acolyte’s other shining highlight is its dedication to action sequences. With stunt coordinators like Chris Clark Cowan, formerly ofShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsfame, involved, I was sureThe Acolyte’s action sequences would live up to the hype. As ofThe Acolyteepisode 2’s ending, I was incredibly happy with how the show presented such moments. Not only are they expertly choreographed and shot, but they aid in storytelling by providing character beats, proving they are not only there for show.
It is an even greater testament toThe Acolytethen, that even without the iconic weapons,The Acolyte’s fight sequences still soar.
One aspect I specifically loved aboutThe Acolyte’s fight scenes was the unwillingness of the Jedi to use lightsabers. Ironically, for aStar Warsshow, the lightsabers are only used as a last resort, and this ties intothe Disney+ series' storytelling. These Jedi are at the height of their powers, and the use of a lightsaber is reserved solely for the strongest of enemies. It is an even greater testament toThe Acolytethen that, even without the iconic weapons, fight sequences still soar.
The Acolyte’s ensemble castis brilliant, as are their stunt doubles, in committing to the long takes of fluid choreography. The blending of martial arts, the Force, and storytelling works perfectly, summed up byThe Acolyte’s opening fight between Mae and Indara (Carrie-Anne Moss), and episode 2’s clash between Mae and Sol (Lee Jung-jae). If these two confrontations are anything to go by — and I believe they are —The Acolyte’s action sequences will go down as some ofStar Wars’best.
Amandla Stenberg & Lee Jung-jae Stand Out Among The Acolyte’s Cast
Stenberg’s dual role and Jung-jae’s Jedi Master are highlights in a mixed bag of characters
Undoubtedly, the standouts ofThe Acolyte’s cast are Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae. Stenberg’s surprising dual role offers a greater depth of performance than I thought Stenberg would have to work with based onThe Acolyte’s trailers. Having to swap between Mae and her twin sister Osha, Stenberg offers subtle but believable differences that help the characters feel distinct. As Mae, Stenberg commands every scene she is part of, driven by revenge, anger, and fury.
This makes Sol an incredibly compelling Jedi, one that stands tall aboveThe Acolyte’s other Jedi cast…
Opposite her is Jung-jae as the steadfast Jedi Master Sol. Jung-jae imbues Sol with an undercurrent of grief, linked to his past with Osha and Mae. This makes Sol an incredibly compelling Jedi, one that stands tall above the other Jedi cast. Unfortunately,The Acolytefirst two episodes do not balance every member of the cast efficiently. While Dafne Keen, Charlie Bennett, and Manny Jacinto do well in their roles as Jecki Lon, Yord Fandar, and Qimir, respectively,The Acolyte’s focus on other characters makes them fall short, though there’s promise for the future.
The Acolyte’s Production & Lore Make It A Worthy Inclusion In Star Wars Canon
Everything that forms a good Star Wars story is present in The Acolyte
As someone who has no real preference over aStar Warsstyle — be it the CGI-laden vistas of the prequels or the practical-heavy visuals of the originals — I was hopingThe Acolytewould employ a healthy mix of both. As was the case with the sequel trilogy, Disney thankfully answered my calls.The Acolyte’s visuals are a perfect blend of practical and visual effects. The ships, landscapes, planets, and accompanying otherworldly elements are realized beautifully with unnoticeable CGI, while the aliens, props, sets, and costumes are tangible and practical in the best way.
While these elements helpThe Acolytefeel inherently likea show set in theStar Warsuniverse, I was pleased to experience how much the showrunners are including from the wider lore. Hints at the Sith ways, the Jedi Order’s slow fall from grace, and High Republic designs are all part ofThe Acolyte’s first two episodes. These elements allow the show to hold a worthy place in the vast pantheon ofStar Warscanon.
Ultimately, these aspects work together to makeThe Acolyteepisodes 1 and 2 an enticing beginning. The mystery at the show’s center is intriguing and gives the series a welcome sinister tone. This mystery is elevated thematically and visually by brilliant action sequences and quieter moments, both of which are done well, despite the feeling that some characters are underserved. While episode 1 suffers from slower pacing and some wooden dialogue, episode 2 reveals more about the Sith mystery, and in an era of light and life,The Acolyte’s darkness makes it a worthy installment inStar Warscanon.
The first two episodes ofThe Acolytedebut on Disney+ at 9pm ET on June 4. The remaining 6 episodes will be available to stream weekly every Tuesday thereafter.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
