The Acolyte is a cop show in disguise, and it's the perfect genre for Star Wars’ expansion

EntertainmentTVSci-Fi ShowsStar Wars TV ShowsThe AcolyteThe Acolyte is a cop show in disguise, and it’s the perfect genre for Star Wars’ expansionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentTVSci-Fi ShowsStar Wars TV ShowsThe AcolyteThe Acolyte is a cop show in disguise, and it’s the perfect genre for Star Wars’ expansionWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Lucasfilm) AfterThe Mandalorian’s homage to Westerns andAndor’s foray into political drama,The Acolytebrings crime TV to the Star Wars universe. Kicking off with a murder investigation, the first two episodes are structured like a cop show, portraying the Jedi Order as a worryingly flawed galactic police force. We quickly learn that Osha is innocent. The real killer is her long-lost twin sister Mae. However it takes a while for the Jedi investigators to figure this out, in a story that utilizes familiar cop TV tropes while highlighting the fallibility of the Jedi. Good Jedi, bad Jedi (Image credit: Lucasfilm) Consider our introduction to Osha’s former teacher Sol (Lee Jung-jae). He’s depicted as empathetic and kind, contrasting with the no-nonsense Vernestra Rwoh (Rebecca Henderson), a senior authority at the Coruscant temple. When Vernestra informs him of Osha’s supposed crimes, she’s openly concerned about political backlash if the story gets out. A homicidal ex-padawan could damage the Order’s reputation. “Discretion is important,” she says, emphasizing the need for a swift arrest. Her dialogue is peppered with noticeably un-Jedi-like law enforcement buzzwords like “suspect” and “custody.” Sol, meanwhile, struggles to believe that Osha would commit murder – a belief rooted in lingering feelings of trust and affection for his old padawan, a level of attachment that’s frowned upon in Jedi culture. Sol’s role echoes Qui-Gon Jinn’s clash with the Jedi Council in The Phantom Menace, setting him apart from his more conservative peers. In the narrative language of crime TV, this conflict also establishes Sol and Vernestra in two archetypal roles: the maverick detective and the strict police chief who tries to keep him in line. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Sabers up (Image credit: Lucasfilm) The Acolyte’s first scene highlights a direct analogy between Jedi lightsabers and a police officer’s gun, with Mae telling Master Indara, “A Jedi doesn’t pull her weapon unless prepared to kill.” With that context in mind, Yord is worryingly quick on the draw. At one point he reaches for his lightsaber because he assumes Osha is armed, when really she’s just retrieving her droid. The show isn’t exactly subtle about framing Sol as a “good” Jedi, inviting comparisons with his more hardline colleagues who prioritize obedience and tradition over independent thought. I wouldn’t go as far as to say this is an edgy critique of copaganda storytelling (let’s leave that to Andor), but The Acolyte is already making some smart choices in its use of crime drama tropes. The Acolyte airs weekly onDisneyPlus. 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and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5 Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu 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Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 1 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 2 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 3 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”