The Acolyte Season 1 Review: Star Wars Finally Tries Something New

I’ll admit it—I was tired of Star Wars. The sequels were a mess. The Mandalorian was fun but formulaic. Obi-Wan Kenobi was a letdown. So when Disney announced The Acolyte, a show set 100 years before the prequels, I rolled my eyes. “Another Jedi show,” I thought. But after watching all 8 episodes on Disney+, I have to say: this is the most interesting Star Wars project in years. It’s not perfect, but it actually takes risks.

What’s It About?

The Acolyte is set in the High Republic era—a time when the Jedi were at their peak. It follows a former Padawan named Osha (played by Amandla Stenberg) who gets drawn into a mystery involving a series of Jedi murders. The show is part detective story, part political thriller. There are no Skywalkers, no Death Stars, no familiar characters. That alone feels refreshing.

The Best Part: The Villains

The show introduces a new Sith-like figure: “The Stranger,” played by Manny Jacinto. He’s not a cackling villain. He’s quiet, menacing, and has a tragic backstory. His fight scenes are the best in Star Wars since the prequels. There’s a lightsaber battle in episode 5 that had me on the edge of my seat. The choreography is fast, brutal, and creative. For once, the action feels like it has weight.

The Weaknesses: Pacing and Character Development

Not everything works. The first three episodes are slow. Too much exposition, not enough action. Some characters, like the Jedi Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae), are compelling. Others, like the Wookiee Jedi Kelnacca, barely get screen time. The show tries to do too much—there’s a subplot about a mysterious planet and a cult that feels rushed. I wish they’d cut two episodes of setup and focused on the main story.

The Controversy

The Acolyte has been review-bombed on Rotten Tomatoes by fans who hate “woke” Star Wars. Let’s be real: the show has diverse characters, and that’s fine. The writing isn’t preachy. The complaints feel like culture war nonsense. If you ignore the noise, the show is a solid B+.

Should You Watch It?

If you’re tired of the same old Star Wars formula, yes. The Acolyte tries something new—it’s a mystery, not a hero’s journey. The last two episodes are genuinely thrilling. I’d rank it above Obi-Wan and The Book of Boba Fett, but below Andor (which is still the best Star Wars show). Give it a chance. It might surprise you.