Review: The The Acolyte

Set 100 years before the films, the Acolyte is a Star Wars story filled with rich characters and captivating mystery. Most Star Wars projects feel very kid-friendly, with cute creatures and a sort of campiness that feels like a warm hug. The Acolyte feels more grounded and made for adults, which was a pleasant surprise.

The great thing about Star Wars is that world-building is already there for use. What’s exciting is expanding on the lore and diving into more stories that haven’t been put front and center before. The Acolyte is more of a detective mystery than a Jedi story, and that is what sets it apart from everything else.

The show tries to build tension with mystery from the beginning, resulting in a slow start. While the story does start at a snail’s pace, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. The pacing actually helps the story breathe, but I can see why Disney is dropping both episodes 1 and 2 on the premier day. It’s a smart move since you don’t really become invested in the main character until episode 2.

The first episode starts with a fight, and a few more follow, but it’s important to note that this is not an action-heavy show. This is a story and character-driven one. The Acolyte is a sci-fi thriller that has some outstanding performance and a beautiful score. This is not the typical story we’re used to seeing in Star Wars, but the murder mystery surrounding the plot is captivating and enthralling.