“A mix of Kill Bill and Frozen”

The new series inspired by the “Star Wars” universe above all resembles a family series around two sisters, a hundred years before the events of the “Phantom Menace”. This is the first time that a woman, Leslye Headland, has signed and directed a series derived from the saga.

A hundred years before La Phantom Menace, a mysterious person is assassinating the Jedi. These are the first jolts of the decline of the High Republic, and the starting point of this new series of the galaxy Star Wars, which begins this week, on Disney +.

In a period sufficiently remote to not have to go through episodes and characters already told, The Acolyte is interested in the Jedi for once. Its heroine trained in the basics – but who left everything to become a mechanic six years earlier – finds her mentor, after this first murder. And we will soon find out more about what can cause this force to waver, while everyone tries to understand who is after the Jedi.

This new series, two episodes of which are already available, focuses on martial arts. The trainer, played by Lee Jung-jae, the hero of Squid Game, in his first major Anglo-Saxon role, multiplies the fight scenes.

But the series also looks at the family side. Its author, for once a woman who directs and signs a series Star WarsLeslye Headland, had sold it to the studio, as a mix of Kill Bill and some Snow Queen. And indeed, the bonds between twin sisters, separated in their childhood, are also at the center of this story, which resonates like a distant evocation of the destiny of two other twins, Luke Skywalker and Leia.

This is Amandla Stenberg, seen in Hunger Games, who plays Osha, the young mechanic with dreadlocks. The story sounds like a Greek tragedy for children. But we can reassure fans of Star Wars, the universe is very present. The first scene, all martial battle, takes place in a café, directly inspired by the first film in the saga. Add in an array of new characters and tasty new gadgets, like a little pocket robot that acts as artificial intelligence, and you have a series Star Wars with a different taste.

The Acolytethe first two episodes are already available on Disney +.