'Star Wars' fans erupt as 'The Acolyte' kills a major character with shocking speed

After Episode 4, three of Mae's Jedi targets are dead with only Master Sol alive
Wookie Jedi master Kelnacca died at the end of Episode 4 to the chagrin of 'The Acolyte' fans (@lucasfilm)
Wookie Jedi master Kelnacca died at the end of Episode 4 to the chagrin of 'The Acolyte' fans (@lucasfilm)

Contains spoilers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Acolyte' Episode 4 premiered on Disney+ on June 18, 2024, and fans were not ready for the heartbreaking ending of this episode in the 'Star Wars' saga.

The mystery adventure series took a dark turn when Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo), the fan-favorite Wookie Jedi master died in Episode 4 of 'The Acolyte'. Kelnacca was one of the four targets of Mae (Amandla Stenberg), but he lived in the deep, dense forest of Khofar and appeared to be safe and away from the clutches of Mae. 

Further, the Jedi forces led by Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and Mae's twin sister Osha rushed to protect him and almost reached the same time as Mae did. But when Mae reached his place, she found him already dead to the chagrin of 'Star Wars' fans who took to the internet to voice their anger. 

Fans up in arms after Kelnacca's death 

A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)
A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)

Die-hard fans of the 'Star Wars' franchise had been asking for a Wookie character and were unhappy that the character only made a brief appearance in the show. 

Fans were not happy about the death of the Wookie Jedi. A Reddit user said, "Dammit we finally get a Wookiee Jedi and he’s already killed likely by the Sith". Another Reddit user added, "Major squander TBH. First time we've had a Wookie in any sort of significant role other than Chewbacca and they ding even let the guy do anything cool. Though perhaps he'll fight in one of the flashbacks to the night of the fire?"

Kelnacca became a fan-favorite character ever since his first appearance in the second episode. A Reddit user said, "I really wanted to see the Wookie Jedi use a lightsaber." Another Reddit user added, "He was the best character. Impossible to have bad dialogue lmao". Another Reddit user wrote, "theyre for real create the most badass jedi master wookie with samurai hair concept, just to kill it in an episode? brooooo"

A Reddit user wrote, "Can’t believe my homie Kelnacca is gone". Another Reddit user asked for a tribute for Kelnacca saying "Let's pour one out for him, I hate to see any Wookiee harmed or killed. I just can't take it, they are like my favorite species. Aside from Yoda's."

 Who killed Kelnacca?

A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)
A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@lucasfilm)

Although Kelnacca's death wasn't shown in the episode, it is pretty clear that he was killed by the masked Sith master as he was killed by a lightsaber and the Sith carried a lightsaber. 

Mae set out to kill Kelnacca originally but decided not to kill him only to discover him to be dead. Now with the death of Kelnacca, only Master Sol is alive among Mae's original targets. 

Master Sol and the team of Jedi go up against the powerful Sith in the next episode as this episode ended in a cliffhanger. As for Kelnacca, we may still see him in some flashback portions. 

How to stream 'The Acolyte'?

A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@disney+)
A still from the series 'The Acolyte' (@disney+)

'The Acolyte' Episodes 1-4 are streaming on Disney+ with new episodes expected to drop every Tuesday. To watch the show, you will need a Disney+ Subscription.

To stream 'The Acolyte', you'll need a subscription to Disney+. The basic membership plan with ads costs $7.99/month while the premium plan (with no ads) comes at $13.99/month or $139.99/year.

'The Acolyte' Trailer



 

'The Acolyte' Episodes 1-4 are streaming on Disney+

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Episode 2 sets Dexter and Charley up as a fake couple while they plan their first kill together
2026-11-07T08:59:35.000Z
The sequel arrives 19 years after the haunted hotel room film grossed $132 million worldwide
2026-11-07T07:35:40.000Z
'Sheriff Country' and 'Fire Country' crossover forces Mickey and Manny to work together
2026-11-07T06:52:03.000Z
The teaser names a Nevada town and an exact date in 1955, while production heads to New Mexico
2026-11-07T05:54:40.000Z
The sitcom takes over the Wednesday slot that ‘Scrubs’ leaves when its second season wraps
2026-11-07T05:16:08.000Z
‘Nobody Wants This’ gets Season 4 renewal just weeks after the latest season’s release
2026-11-07T04:24:15.000Z
‘High Potential’ Season 3 will return nearly 9 months after Season 2 finale with special Super Bowl episode
2026-11-07T03:49:27.000Z
Here's what we know as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ new spin-off gets pushed to the 2027-28 season after a tax credit setback
2026-11-07T03:23:46.000Z
Amazon's two-part docuseries follows Melania Trump's preparations for her return to the White House and the moments after the inauguration.
2026-11-06T17:33:16.000Z
Dwight Manfredi's criminal empire faces a new challenge as 'Tulsa King' Season 5 introduces powerful New York gangster with extensive street network.
2026-11-06T16:13:38.000Z