When I heard about Star Wars: The Acolyte, I was genuinely excited about the project. The idea of exploring a new era in the Star Wars universe, especially the High Republic era, seemed like a cool opportunity to dive into something fresh.
The positive buzz from early screenings also pumped up my anticipation for the show. However, after watching the first two episodes, my enthusiasm quickly died.
Right from the start, the writing struck me as lackluster. The script felt weak, almost as if it had been generated by an AI that was fed a bunch of Star Wars information. In fact, an AI might have produced a more engaging script. Writers really need to start stepping up their game.
The dialogue was stilted, and the whole tone and vibe of the series feels nothing like Star Wars, the way people speak, the words they use do not feel like they are part of the Star Wars universe.
Remember this series is set hundreds of years before the events of the prequel trilogy. The way the characters speak should be more refined, and the writing should be much smarter than dialogue like, “I gotta earn a paycheck.”
Despite the intriguing premise of a mystery-thriller set in the final days of the High Republic, the story didn’t grab me. Instead of being immersed in the series like I was with Andor and The Mandalorian, I felt like I was watching middle school fan fiction. The plot development was slow and unengaging, leaving me uninterested in the unfolding events.
Showrunner Leslye Headland previously revealed that she hired a writer who had never seen any of the Star Wars projects before, and it’s glaringly apparent in the show. The result is a series that feels disconnected from the rich lore and unique style that defines Star Wars.
While The Acolyte draws inspiration from classic Samurai and martial arts cinema, it fails to execute this homage effectively. Instead of a compelling blend of genres, it comes off as a weak imitation. The series reminded me of my experience watching Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon, which was also an underwhelming viewing experience.
I approached this series with optimism, ready to embrace a new chapter in the Star Wars saga. Unfortunately, The Acolyte did not live up to that excitement and it was a rough watch that left me disappointed. The series fails to capture the essence of what makes Star Wars so captivating.
I think Star Wars: The Acolyte misses the mark. Its weak writing and uninteresting story fail to capture the magic of the Star Wars universe. Here’s hoping future episodes can turn things around, but for now, I remain skeptical.
Star Wars: The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+. What did you think about the first two episodes?
This is just my opinion, if you enjoyed what you’ve seen so far, let me know what you liked about it! What am I missing? I’m open to other views and opinions on this.