Longtime and new fans of the High Republic Era are in for a massive top tier Star Wars treat with The Acolyte. The series explores a rarely seen part of the galaxy's timeline, one that is ripe with intrigue, action, and compelling characters. 

The Acolyte Review

350 years before The Phantom Menace, the High Republic Era began (note: Phase I of the released media begins 200 years before Episode 1). This Golden Age of the Jedi and the Galactic Republic runs from 500BBY to 100BBY and tells of a time when the Jedi Order was at the height of its powers. The Jedi are guardians of peace and justice. They are classified as Masters, Knights, Padawans, and the never before mentioned Pathfinders. Those Jedi venture into the Outer Rim to map hyperspace lanes, bring new planets into the fold of the Republic. Content in their confidence that the Sith are extinct, the Republic is enjoying peace and ushering in social and political change. Unbeknownst to them the Sith are still moving in the shadows in order to one day rise again. 

Leslye Headland's The Acolyte is set towards the end of the High Republic Era, about 100 years before Episode I: The Phantom Menace. As mentioned the Sith have been moving in secret for centuries and that darkness rising to overtake the light is the focus of The Acolyte. The Sith have always been a tricky bunch and this series highlights that with a story made up of twists and turns, that grip you right from the start. There is a mystery here to solve, but it won't be easy and whenever one question gets answered more spring up in its place. 

Beginning with a dark mystery, The Acolyte immediately pulls audiences into its schemes. Opening text lays the groundwork for the series– one lone assassin seeks revenge. Mae (Amandla Stenberg) is on a mission to kill every Jedi she believes responsible for how her life turned out. Nothing and no one will be able to stand in her way. Headland, using her experience of writing mysteries (example: Russian Doll), is purposeful in what the show reveals and doesn't reveal about its plot, characters, and most importantly they motivations. 

The Acolyte is to the Jedi/Sith what Andor is for the rest of the galaxy. Headland (who is the show creator and shares writing and directing credits) has assembled something that feels distinctive yet part of the whole. Some of that uniqueness is due to the fact that the High Republic Era has never been seen before in live-action and not everyone likes to read–but please do, the books are so well-written! However, the idea of light and dark, Jedi and Sith, The Force, the Republic, none of that is new. So it is an impressive feat to not only tackle this era in live-action but to make these familiar concepts feel fresh. The characters are compelling while the story direction is intriguing. And for those looking for action, the fight choreography is insane and I was thrilled as I watched the Force being used in ways I've only ever really witnessed in the Star Wars games. 

A cast list like The Acolyte is the stuff sci-fi geek dreams are made of. Most of us really only needed to hear that X-23 and Trinity would be battling bad guys with lightsabers to say we are so in! Though Dafne Keen's character hasn't gotten a lot of fighting time (at least within the first 4 episodes) her form is precise, making me anxious to see her truly get a moment to shine. Carrie-Anne Moss commands the screen with her presence as the Jedi Master Indara, which is no surprise. She is calculating, calm, and as cool as ever. Charlie Barnett plays Yord as slightly uptight, it seems he might have something to prove to himself or someone else we aren't sure yet.

Rebecca Henderson's Vernestra is one of the few characters that isn't new, at least not if you're up to date on the High Republic Era books. Vernestra has an air of seriousness although a warmth simmers below the surface. As the leader of the Jedi the show focuses on, Henderson makes sure she is poised, head held high, balancing her role as a leader and as a friend to Sol. The Good Place fans will adore Manny Jacinto's Qimir who is not as aloof as he seems. 

The true force of the show lies with Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae, pun intended and necessary. Stenberg is responsible for double the burden playing the kind-hearted, yet grief-stricken Osha and the revenge-driven Mae. Whether she is interacting with PIP (your new droid obsession) or going toe-to-toe with Moss' Jedi Master Indara, Stenberg captures your attention. She does more than hold her own in the galaxy against these heavyweight, she dominates. Her energy, heart, and emotions permeate her every movement, making you root for her…or against her.

It only makes sense that Osha's former master, whom Stenberg spends a lot of screen time with, is as interesting and formidable as she is. Jung-jae imbues Master Sol with a tenderness rarely seen with the Jedi. But make no mistake, Sol is no pushover despite preferring non-violent ways of resolution. Jung-jae is a master not only in the Jedi sense but also in the way he can be both unassuming and powerful yet remain soft-spoken. If everyone survives to the end of episode 8, I would love to see more stories that include Jung-jae and Stenberg. 

Like Andor, The Acolyte's sets are rich in detail and a vibrancy that comes from practically building the environments the actors are moving within. Don't get me wrong, The Volume is great for space sequences but it should be used as an aid not a crutch. Watching The Acolyte I get the same feeling that I had when I watched my very first Star Wars film- A New Hope, this is a world I want to walk around in. Just let me go and let me explore.

Star Wars and great scores go together like Han Solo and Chewbacca. Michael Abels, who's known for Nope, Get Out, and Us, really captures the ominous tone needed for the mystery that swirls around each character. The music elevates the intensity of confrontations and reminds us that even in the most calm of moments, something could always be lurking just to the right of the camera. Another Star Wars staple– fight scenes. Mark Ginther, who also served as the stunt coordinator for Shang-Chi, brings that same energy to The Acolyte. Impressive martial arts, clever lightsaber and weapon usage, plus The Force doing more than choking and pushing?! Yes, yes, and hell yes. In fact, being in an era when no one was stronger than a Jedi, they rarely draw their lightsabers. It's a last resort, only to be used against the strongest of enemies. It's a testament to Ginther, Christopher Clark Cowan, and their team for making fight sequences that can stand side-by-side with some of the best lightsaber battles in the franchise's history.

Verdict

The Acolyte brings a new level of mystery, intrigue, and darkness to Star Wars canon. Just as questions are *possibly* answered, more secrets are revealed. The unravelling of it all is so well done you are instantly drawn in, compelled to keep watching because the desire to know the truth is so palpable you can almost taste it. The show manages to balance the quieter moments with the ones of big action. Fans looking for a well-rounded Star Wars drama are in for a treat. If it keeps up the momentum it's building (I've watched the first 4 episodes) we are in for one wild finish. Which is funny to think about, seeing that in terms of the greater universe, this really is just the tip of a massive Sith iceberg. 

The first two episodes of The Acolyte debut on Disney+ at 9pm ET on June 4. The remaining 6 episodes will be available to stream weekly every Tuesday after that.