The Acolyte boasts a unique allure as the inaugural live-action Star Wars series to diverge from the Skywalker Saga, positioned a century prior to The Phantom Menace. This departure might suggest a fresh direction or atmosphere for the franchise. However, regrettably, its initial two episodes exhibit a striking resemblance to other Star Wars productions in terms of visuals, sounds, and ambiance.
Yet, this isn't inherently negative, given the commendable quality of previous live-action Star Wars shows. The Acolyte possesses commendable strengths, including a compelling premise, an enigmatic central mystery unfolding in captivating ways, and commendable performances. Nevertheless, there seems to be a missed opportunity to fully embrace the narrative elements conducive to more genre-specific storytelling.
The plot revolves around Jedi attempting to apprehend a vengeful serial Jedi-killer (Amandla Stenberg), with the series commencing with the masked assailant confronting Jedi Master Indara (Carrie Ann Moss) in a quintessential Star Wars cantina/bar setting. The ensuing altercation provides a refreshing departure, featuring impressive hand-to-hand martial arts choreography captured tastefully, allowing viewers to appreciate every elegant strike, parry, and counterattack. Overall, this scene sets a dynamic tone for the series ahead.
Given its overtly violent introduction, one might expect a darker, stylized, or even noir-inspired Star Wars narrative. While the original trilogy embodied space opera elements and The Mandalorian initially embraced Western themes, The Acolyte merely hints at genre inclinations beneath its space fantasy veneer. Although the series touches upon minor thematic notes in its initial episodes, there's a noticeable absence of significant thematic or stylistic discord. It presents a well-crafted and compelling Star Wars narrative, yet it adheres closely to the established formula seen in previous franchise entries.
What proves disappointing is that The Acolyte's premise and setting offer ample opportunity for a substantial departure from the norm. However, such a departure fails to materialize. The editing, lighting, orchestral score, and the fraught master-padawan relationship all feel too familiar to evoke genuine excitement. The Acolyte comfortably aligns itself with its Star Wars television counterparts but hasn't yet found the unique spark to truly distinguish itself.
Nevertheless, it's absolutely worth watching. The story's standout quality lies in its pace of revelation, which becomes quite addictive. There's a compelling momentum to the gradual unveiling of characters' backgrounds, keeping the show consistently engaging.
Take Osha (also played by Stenberg), for instance. Initially presented in a manner that raises doubts about her identity as the Jedi-killer responsible for Indara's death, we're left to ponder this mystery. Then, a haunting vision of Mae, her twin sister, provides a glimpse of the larger narrative. While many questions remain unanswered, such as Mae's master, her motives for targeting specific Jedi, or the truth behind the sisters' estrangement, the show tantalizes us with just enough information to leave us craving more answers.
Each character in the first two episodes hints at deeper layers, skillfully portrayed by showrunner Leslye Headland and the writing team. They adeptly weave these hints into the ongoing narrative without overshadowing immediate plot concerns. Our curiosity is piqued at a character level, particularly regarding supporting figures like Jecki, Yord, and Qimir, promising further exploration in the upcoming episodes.
While lightly touched upon in the initial episodes, the series' placement within the broader Star Wars timeline holds significant thematic implications. Set during the tail end of the High Republic era, it unfolds during a period of relative galactic prosperity, with the Republic yet to succumb to internal decay and the Jedi Order still wielding considerable influence. Even the Nihil, the anarchistic antagonists from the High Republic literature, appear to have faded from prominence.
From a cinematic perspective, The Acolyte falls short of conveying the requisite level of danger and intensity demanded by the narrative. The sense of peril and hostility feels somewhat muted, given the gravity of the stakes involved. However, there's a sense that the show has the potential to improve as it progresses. As the mystery deepens, the story becomes increasingly captivating, offering hope for its future trajectory. Additionally, intriguing concepts gradually emerge, with the weaponized subversion of Jedi philosophy standing out as the most thought-provoking aspect.
The Acolyte episodes are released weekly on Tuesday nights on Disney+.
