The Acolyte Review: Star Wars At Its Best

Star Wars: The Acolyte boasts a phenomenal cast, captivating and intriguing story, intense action, and suspenseful story. Star Wars at its best. It should be noted this review is based solely on the first four episodes of The Acolyte.

THE ACOLYTE review
Mae (Amandla Stenberg) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

The Acolyte delivers some of the best Star Wars to ever grace the screen. The story itself is packed with suspenseful mysteries that slowly unravel in a way that will have viewers on the edge of their seats. There are incredible action sequences featuring well done stunt choreography, and a cast that brings their A-game time and time again. Thanks to brilliant writing, the exposition is done perfectly, making sure to keep audiences captivated.

Right from the very first scene, fans will know they are in for a treat. The Acolyte follows an investigation into a shocking crime spree that pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….

(L-R, front row): Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett), Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Boasts An Incredible Cast

There is no doubt that the entire cast of The Acolyte is talented, and while they all deliver career best performances, Amandla Stenberg and Lee Jung-jae are the standouts. They both shine in the best of ways, stealing the show whenever they are on screen. And when they share the screen? The true magic happens.

(L-R): Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon (Dafne Keen) and Yord Fandar (Charlie Barnett) might technically be supporting cast, but they perfectly round out the main cast. Sharp and witty, yet able to get down to business when called for, they both offer deliver some of the best lines in the series.

Jedi Master Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo) sitting next to Jedi speeder bike in a scene from Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Brilliant Writing

If this is your introduction into the High Republic era, have no fear, creator Leslye Headland has you covered. Thanks to her brilliant writing, the exposition is done flawlessly so that those watching know exactly what is going on, without it feeling like it is dragging slowly.

Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

The Acolyte gives viewers a truly captivating mystery that is weaved through Star Wars lore., however we never have to wait too long between solving pieces of the puzzle, which allows the pacing to strive forward at a rate that keeps everyone interested, instead of feeling like we are only getting more questions instead of answers.

Mae (Amandla Stenberg) in Lucasfilm’s THE ACOLYTE, exclusively on Disney+. ©2024 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

Overall Thoughts

Star Wars: The Acolyte is easily one of the best pieces of Star Wars content that fans have ever had. It does a wonderful job of providing a truly captivating mystery that just gets crazier and crazier, but doesn’t ever feel too insane to be true. There is a lot happening, but fans will be grasping on for their lives as they go on this wild ride.

While the entire cast is incredible, Amandla Stenberg has a lot resting on her shoulders, but never buckles under the pressure. Whenver she is up against Lee Jung-jae, it is impossible not to get a bit emotional.

The first two episodes are absolutely perfect, the third takes the time to answer a handful of questions that the viewers have, while giving them even more. As for the fourth episode, it ends with a bang and has us begging for more.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes launch exclusively on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4th at 6pm PT / 9pm ET. New episodes to follow weekly on Tuesdays.

NEXT: Star Wars: Tales of the Empire Review

About The Acolyte

An investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….

Star Wars: The Acolyte Episodes 1 & 2 launch exclusively on Disney+ on Tuesday, June 4th at 6pm PT / 9pm ET.

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