Recent years have seen all manner of Star Wars books and comics set in The High Republic Era released by Lucasfilm. If you have neither the time nor the inclination to devote countless hours to those, you may be concerned about how well you’ll grasp The Acolyte. Thankfully, the latest Star Wars TV series is arguably the most new viewer-friendly effort from the studio since The Mandalorian’s debut season. The result is a gripping new addition to the franchise which, based on the four episodes we’ve seen, will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Familiar yet different, The High Republic Era takes place at a time when the Jedi Order was at the height of its power with few significant threats to worry about. That changes with the appearance of an "acolyte" who has been tasked with killing four members of the Order at the behest of a mysterious Master who seems to have an awful lot in common with the Sith. We’re cautious about revealing any more as there are some big twists and turns in these opening episodes, but everything from the new planets - which include actual practical locations, not just The Volume - to seeing how the Jedi operated before becoming bogged down in politics (though there are some hints of that here) makes for fascinating viewing.
There’s a huge mystery at The Acolyte’s core and, like WandaVision and Game of Thrones, this is true watercooler television in the sense it will generate countless discussions, theories, and speculation about where this story is heading. Only the third episode falters slightly with what feels like an overlong flashback exploring a character’s past; it raises more questions than it answers and feels like a story which could have been condensed into a few scenes elsewhere in the series. Then again, it also introduces a new group of Force users, opening up a lot of very exciting doors and raising big questions about the Jedi Order's motives. The show fleshes out its ideas and characters well and will definitely get you thinking. Despite that, it's hard to shake the feeling more should have happened by the halfway point and some plot beats feel easy to telegraph.
Showrunner Leslye Headland and the team working on The Acolyte find new and inventive ways to portray the Force, with riveting action scenes and fights which are leaps and bounds ahead of much of what we’ve seen from the property in recent years. Despite vastly different ship and costume designs, the whole thing still boasts that unique Star Wars feel and Headland has crafted a story here which serves as proof there’s life for this franchise beyond the Skywalker Saga.
Amandla Stenberg is superb in a role which sees her explore a duality that's soon established as the backbone of the entire series. It’s also a performance so impressive that it cements the actor as one of the best additions to Star Wars since Disney acquired the franchise. Lee Jung-jae’s Master Sol is another highlight, with the Squid Game star entering this Galaxy Far, Far Away as a character we can imagine being every bit as beloved as Qui-Gonn Jinn, for example.
Dafne Keen stands out as his apprentice, Jecki, while Manny Jacinto’s Qimir is a character we’d suggest keeping an eye on; there are a lot of intriguing nuances to his smuggler which may or may not pay off down the line. Charlie Barnett’s Yord Fandar is similarly enjoyable to spend time with, despite being a tad unlikeable! Rebecca Henderson should satisfy fans as Vernestra Rwoh, a character from the aforementioned books and comics, while Jodie Turner-Smith makes a similarly memorable mark on The Acolyte. Carrie-Anne Moss’ Indara, however, has a much smaller role than advertised so we’d recommend tempering expectations on that front (the same applies to the Wookie Jedi, Kelnacca).
It’s always hard to fully judge a series when you’ve only seen half of it, but if the first four episodes of The Acolyte are anything to go by, it stands a very real chance of going down as the most epic Star Wars TV series to date. The action and visuals are gorgeous, while the characters are engrossing enough to easily justify multiple seasons (honestly, it’s getting harder and harder to figure out why stories like this aren’t playing out in theaters). When all is said and done, the show may live or die on how satisfying the payoff is and whether it informs the wider Star Wars franchise in the ways many fans expect. So far, so good, though, and make no mistake about it: The Acolyte is Star Wars at its best and a refreshing change of pace for the franchise.
Star Wars like you’ve never seen it before, The Acolyte soars thanks to its impressive cast, compelling setting, and a mystery which will keep you coming back for more. Now, we just need to hope the series sticks the landing. ⭐⭐⭐⭐