The Star Wars universe returns to the screen this week with the debut of “The Acolyte.” Understanding the mythology alone is a massive undertaking considering the interconnectivity of films, games, novels, comic books, and now streaming services. Given the sheer number of Star Wars content related to the Skywalker Saga that has been released in the past few years, required viewing is absolutely necessary. At the same time, all that homework can deter the average viewer or fan who may not know anything about Star Wars from watching anything new. Luckily, Leslye Headland’s “The Acolyte” avoids that by distancing itself from anything that came before – or comes after if you are looking at it chronologically – it, while still using the lore as inspiration to influence a refreshing murder mystery thriller.
Set during the age of the High Republic, 100 years before the rise of the Empire, it is a time of peace. The Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic have prospered for centuries without war. However, a shadowy sect is learning to use the Force in secret. One of its members, who is on a mission of revenge, is assassinating Jedi.
In light of these high crimes, Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) rallies together a team of Jedi to investigate these murders. While all of the clues point to his former Padawan, Osha (Amandla Stenberg), not every thing are not what they seem. The optics of a fallen Jedi killing other Jedi could be weaponized by the Order’s political enemies. So Sol must be discreet and the Jedi Order’s justice must be swift. However, Sol isn’t as certain as Master Vernestra (Rebecca Henderson) and he sets out to prove Osha’s innocence while learning the truth about who is the assassin and why they are targeting four specific Jedis.
ThatsItLA previewed the first four episodes of “The Acolyte.” To say any more would be a disservice to the larger mystery that surrounds this new series as Headland crafts a Rashamon-inspired murder mystery thriller set in the world of Star Wars. So it moves at the pace of a police procedural, with the Jedi unraveling the mystery of murdered Jedi by following the clues, uncovering leads, interrogating suspects, and using Osha ( who is now a meknek – a human based repairman who is more flexible than any droid) as an undercover operative to get intel on a suspect. While the series’ biggest twist is revealed early in the pilot episode, the multiple perspectives on key events keeps audiences guessing and unsure of who they can’t trust.
Since “The Acolyte” is a Star Wars series set before “Star Wars Episode One: The Phantom Menace” it can focus on telling a story without having to worry about tying it directly to future events. Though there are the obligatory aspects of the Star Wars lore that make its away into the show, it doesn’t have much of an impact on the viewing experience. As such, audiences can be invested in these characters because there are no strings attached or no required viewing to know who they are. So those unfamiliar with Star Wars could have a greater appreciation for something like “The Acolyte” and maybe be inspired to watch other titles because of it.
Another refreshing aspect of “The Acolyte” is how the Rashamon inspiration affects the portrayal of the Jedi Order. The opening exposition reveals to us how the Jedi Order has maintained peace throughout the galaxy. Normally, we’d believe them to be benevolence group. However each new episode reveals how the Jedi Order aren’t the peacekeeping force they make themselves out to be. From Sol’s perspective, we see compassionate and leveled headed teacher who wants to protect his former student by bringing Mae in himself. Subsequent episodes reveal that the Jedi was a part of something so tragic that it drove his former student to go on a quest for vengeance. Additionally, we see how the Jedi Order can be a clandestine agency, capable of abusing their powers in the name of peace. Their transparency lacking as they hold secret meetings and withhold the truth from the High Council and the Seanate because they worry how scandals would inspire fear and mistrust. So they’ll do anything to maintain their place within the Galactic Republic, even if it means straying from their path.
“The Acolyte’s” cast is also solid, specfically, Jung-jae and Stenberg. For Jung-jae, he can switch to be very formidable to being very poignant almost on a dime. The stoic Jedi Master is often seen being compassionate and caring towards his students, often teaching them about the importance on mediating on the past otherwise you’re doomed to repeat it, despite how the Jedi teachings having such sentimental attachments could lead to destruction. But underneath all of that is a man who is trying to atone for the sins of his past, which is why he feels so strongly about bringing in Mae himself. As one of the more enjoyable characters, often echoing the likes of Liam Nesson’s Qui-Gon Jinn, Sol doesn’t see himself as a holier than thou Jedi Master, but one that is very human who has quite a range of emotions. And Jung-jae is able to embody that with nuance.
Stenberg has a more interesting role to play in all of this. Essentially, the Rashamon approach to “The Acolyte” allows the actor to play two kinds of roles, which creates a kind of uncertainty as to which one of the characters we can trust. Like Sol, Stenberg can be quite formidable as an assassin, on the other hand, she is also capable of being sweet and kind-hearted, but also having some familiarity with the ways of the Jedi. Watching Stenberg and Jung-jae is together in the same scene is such a joy.
And not enough can be said about the supporting cast. Manny Jacinto’s Qimir is a shifty smuggler who aids in Mae’s quest of revenge because both are in league with the same shadowy leader. Jecki Lon (Dafeen Keen) is Sol’s young and very eager Padawan who still has a lot to learn about the nuances of the Jedi philosphy and what it means to go out on missions. And then there’s Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett), who is this antithesis of Jecki and yet is willing to keep an open mind when he believes emotions are clouding Sol’s judgement.
Because this is a fresh take on the Star Wars lore, the pacing is a bit slow, with the first episodes having to establish the characters and intergalactic politics. Additionally, it also serves as an introductory course to the Jedi philosophy and space relations – like the one between the Jedi, who believe they are on missions of goodwill when they visit planets, and a mysterious Coven, who seem to be familiar with the ways of the Force and the Jedi’s reputation for taking Force-sensitive children away from their homes.
And yet, even though “The Acolyte” is set in the past and we all know how the Jedi will fall, one can’t help but be drawn into this corner of the galaxy because it’s never been explored with such deep emotion and nuance. We care about these characters and sympathize with their struggles to reconcile with the past and their efforts to understand their decisions. Headland fearlessly explores the ethical gray areas of the Jedi Order, showing us the kinder side we like to believe the peacekeepers are capable of while also revealing their darker nature and hypocrisy.
Another shining example of how “The Acolyte” distingushes itself from any other Star Wars feature or series that has come before it is through its visceral action sequences. Much of the Star Wars fight choreography has been heavily influenced by martial arts, and here, the mythology has evolved from that intensely focused Kendo lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader to something more jaw-dropping and stunning. Stunt coordinator Mark Ginther blends together martial arts and different hand-to-hand combat to give us something that is exciting to watch. The beautiful execution of it all resembles more of a dance as we see Mae try to land one blow after the other with Indara (Carrie Anne-Moss) dodging each one but eventually is compelled to use the Force and her lightsaber when the assassin starts to use more lethal weapons.
For all of the qualms I may have had about the core Skywalker Saga being too involved with the war between the Jedi and Sith, “The Acolyte” proves you can have rich stories about the conflict without having to resort to connecting to existing plots or having obligatory cameos. It’s a new era of Star Wars, and I can’t wait to see where Headland takes us on this exciting journey.
9.5/10
“Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 101-102 launch exclusively on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4th at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.
