“The Acolyte” is the most recent series in the Star Wars saga. The show’s creator, Leslye Headland, brings out the Dark Side of the Force, highlighting the power of consequence and introducing viewers to a side of the High Republic that has never been seen before.
This installment in the Star Wars saga isn’t made just for Sci-Fi enthusiasts, but for fans of other genres as well. The show is full of drama between the characters internally and externally, providing viewers with complex dynamic relationships, like Mae and Osha or Sol and Jecki.
Fans of suspense and mystery will also enjoy this show as it contains well-developed plot lines and twists with every episode. Any newcomers to the Star Wars franchise would benefit from making this series their starting point as it takes place before the first film installment.
The series’ events take place during the final days of the High Republic, approximately 100 years before “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” during which the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic had peace. However, this peace was short-lived with the rise of a new Sith power. On the Dark Side of the Force, the Sith are the antagonists in the series.
Amanda Stenberg plays the main characters of the show, both adult twins, Mae and Osha, who are found as children in a witch coven on the planet Brendok by a group of Jedi. Sol, played by Lee Jung-jae, accepts Osha as his Padawan, or Jedi in training. Sol later leads Osha on a journey to find her sister Mae, who has been influenced by the Sith.
Stenberg plays both Mae and Osha exceedingly well. The characters portray contrasting and conflicting emotions throughout each episode, creating an uncertainty about which twin viewers can trust.
Another notable actor, Dafne Keen, plays Jecki Lon, who is Sol’s Padawan when Sol reunites with Osha. Jecki feels more like an underdog, while proving herself to be a formidable adversary to the Sith. She also provides comfort and guidance to Osha in the journey to find her sister Mae. Throughout her story, Jecki’s character is aligned with the Light Side of the Force.
Keen’s portrayal of this young and spry Padawan offers viewers a relatable perspective on the battles she faces, capturing the elements of uncertainty, determination, and growth that resonate with anyone who faces significant challenges.
Manny Jacinto fits his role as “The Stranger,” otherwise known as Qimir, a member of the Sith. Jacinto proves his strength in the Dark Side with his combat skills and manipulative actions. The acting style that Jacinto brings to this show influences the way viewers perceive his character as this mysterious member of the Sith.
During interactions with the Jedi, he holds his ground and shows no fear or weakness. There is some other force over his character that appears to be pulling the strings, leaving viewers wondering who the real villain is.
Mother Aniseya, played by Jodie Turner-Smith, is the leader of the witch coven on Brendok. Smith portrays her character as someone caring and capable of attending to her people like any protective mother. She raised young Mae and Osha in hopes that they would lead the coven one day. Headland’s inspiration of the character came from the “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” character Mother Talzin and her coven.
While Smith’s character shows her leadership qualities and holds her own in the interactions with Jedi, the acting style she brings to the show evokes a sense of sympathy with her actions and for the women of her coven. Smith brings out emotions of nobility and sympathy, which is something that you don’t typically see in the Star Wars saga, since nothing good ever comes out of the Dark Side. Smith’s style is sure to debate the way we interpret the Force.
The coven on Brendok differs in the way they use their Force abilities compared to the typical portrayal in the Star Wars universe. Normally, we see the Jedi on the good side of conflict, but the group that interacts with the witch coven seems to have more self-interested intentions of discovering power. The witch coven uses the Force through magic, passing power through a process called Ascension. Considering the timeline of the series, the witch coven might have been perceived as something a lot more menacing, but that isn’t the case. This show brings new ways fans will interpret the Force on both the Light and Dark Sides.
The lightsaber battles in each episode keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The lightsaber’s color shows what side of the Force a person is on. Blue lightsabers represent the Light Side of the Force, while red lightsabers symbolize the Dark Side. Throughout the season, viewers see how conflicting sides of the Force can be influenced for both good and bad. This conflict influences multiple characters’ ability to either overcome or succumb to their environment. As a fan of the Star Wars universe, this series adds greatly to the franchise, giving viewers exciting new aspects to an already expansive universe. The way the show goes into the pros and cons of the Force is impressive, adding to the narrative that everything comes at a cost. The show provides a thought-provoking experience for anyone who watches.