'The Acolyte' Review: Manny Jacinto struggles to elevate unwatchable 'Star Wars' prequel
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Acolyte' started streaming on Disney+ on June 4, 2024, and the epic 'Star Wars' adventure series had the fans up in anticipation for a story that chronicles the origin of the dark side.
Sadly for the viewers, this series turned out to be one of the most underwhelming in the 'Star Wars' franchise. The first few episodes were a snoozefest, and it only got worse, with just a few good moments scattered throughout.
Created by Leslye Headland, the show has failed to get the audience involved in its narrative. 'The Acolyte' tells the story of Mae (Amandla Stenberg) who vows to kill four Jedi Masters to avenge the destruction of her planet Brendok. She has a masked master who helps her get her revenge. The ones who could stop her are Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) and her twin Osha.
Here is a detailed review of 'The Acolyte'.
Gaping plotholes and an overdose of exposition hurt 'The Acolyte'
What pegs 'The Acolyte' back consistently is just how much the characters talk in the series. The characters avoid action unless it is necessary and the dialogue is forced and feels out of place.
In Episode 5, where the big revelation of Qimir (Manny Jacinto) being the Sith Lord happens, there is a moment where the characters stop fighting and start talking and discussing their pasts. This just seemed the most convenient and uninspired decision by the makers who failed consistently in building situations that would naturally bring the pasts out.
The makers seem desperate to build the series as a mystery thriller but the element of mystery and the treatment of the plot just make it seem forced. The big revelations in the series are overdeveloped and end up being continuously disappointing.
There is a two-episode buildup for the past of Master Sol but when Episode 7 explores his past, it ends up being one which does nothing but break the flow of the narrative.
The overall mise-en-scéne for the show lacks any cinematic depth at all. Many scenes had the potential to be developed better and create suspense but the makers don't build upon them and deliver them uncooked.
Short episode length and too many cliffhangers make the show unwatchable
The show suffers from the episode length being short and almost every episode having a cliffhanger. This seemed like a conscious decision made by the makers to ensure that the viewers tune in the next week but it ended up being a gimmick that became a big turn-off.
This show could arguably have been a 150-180 minute film as the narrative lacked any depth and the entire show seemed stretched and unnecessary. Too many plot points keep getting repeated again and again and by the time they are revealed, the users have already lost interest in it.
The show doesn't have a clear protagonist either and that makes this show suffer greatly. As a viewer, you do not know whom to get behind and whom to hate. Mae and Osha's journey could have been an emotional one but the characters are sketched out in a confused way taking away any chance of the audience being sympathetic towards their journey.
Action sequences and Manny Jacinto are the only saving grace
The only good thing about the show was its action sequences which were choreographed very well. The initial action sequence between Mae and Master Indara (Carie Anne-Moss) gave the show a good kickstart. The fight between Jedis and Qimir in Episode 5 was done very well too.
Among the actors, Manny Jacinto stood out among the pack. His screen presence was at times the only thing that would make the show watchable and the periods where his story was explored were the only good parts of the show.
'The Acolyte' Trailer
'The Acolyte' is streaming on Disney+