Obi-Wan Kenobi
2022
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96% Avg. Tomatometer 19 Reviews 86% Avg. Audience Score 5,000+ Ratings Rebel spy Cassian Andor's formative years of the Rebellion. Read More Read Less Watch on Disney+ Stream Now
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By Simon Cardy
Updated: Nov 28, 2022 6:05 pm
Posted: Nov 28, 2022 6:00 pm
The following is a spoiler-free review of Season 1 of Andor. All 12 episodes are now available to stream on Disney+.
Andor is Star Wars like you’ve never seen it before. This ground-level view of a burgeoning resistance movement is a fantastic thriller that snakes through corridors of Imperial power and the homes of the innocents they bring suffering to. It’s slow-burn at times, shouting rarely but loudly, with memorable action sequences made even more impactful by the tangible stakes birthed in its quieter but equally engrossing episodes. It’s one of the very best TV shows of the year and as good as Star Wars has been in a long, long time.
Set five years before the events of Rogue One, Andor charts the journey of Cassian Andor from nomad to rebel who very much finds a cause. Along that path, the series consistently surprises with the mature themes it tackles and the emotional depth it explores – making it a true breath of fresh air when it comes to Star Wars-set drama. There are no Jedi or lightsabers here, and arguably it’s barely a Star Wars show that just happens to star members of the film it's building up to. But in truth, this is why I love it so much more than anything I’ve seen in that universe recently.
Headlining that stellar supporting cast is Stellan Skarsgård who plays the deliciously mysterious Luthen. He’s a character with incredible depth who, just when you think you’ve drilled deep enough into understanding, throws another curve ball your way. He loves to play in the grey areas of the galaxy, and Skarsgård does a phenomenal job conveying Luthen’s complex motivations, stooping over others in a scene whether through whispered threats or spine-tingling monologues. No actor feels out of place in Andor, each pitching their A-Game, from Adria Arjona who brings warmth and loyalty to the role of Bix, to Fiona Shaw who stars in some of the series’ most impactful scenes. Then there are the actors who come into the show for extended cameos and end up stealing scene after scene, like Alex Lawther’s impassioned Nemik or Andy Serkis’ powerful turn as Kino Loy.
Any story is only as good as its villains though and in Dedra Meero and Syril Karn, Andor has two very different but very effective ones. The former, played brilliantly by Denise Gough, is a force of nature and a reflection of the very worst sensibilities of the Empire. A snarling face ready to spit vocal venom at any who challenge her, she has very few redeeming qualities, making her the perfect villain to root against. Syril is a very different sort of presence. A slimy, almost desperate sort of figure searching for recognition from the world in all the wrong places. Kyle Soller is excellent in the role, hiding a stalking threat behind Karn’s steely eyes and a thin mask of fascism. Andor gets us deeper within the Empire’s walls than ever before, frequently exposing us to just how evil they can be. It’s a refreshing peek behind the clinically white Imperial curtain, letting us see more reflections of our world than we’d be keen to admit, therefore granting us a more personal connection to the atrocities being committed and evoking a greater emotional response.
Andor doesn’t only create engaging new characters, but also successfully develops existing ones. Playing the proxy for the audience for stretches of Andor is Mon Mothma – someone advocating for positive change in the world but often finding herself drowned out by the shouts of the oppressors. This is thanks largely to the humanity that Genevieve O’Reilly brings to the role. Her scenes in the heart of Imperial-controlled Coruscant add an almost Game of Thrones-like edge of political intrigue to proceedings as she attempts to play people off of one another while remaining undetected as a rebel sympathiser.
For long stretches, Andor presents itself as a political thriller, with walks and talks through Imperial halls and back alley deals taking place on more than one occasion, but that doesn’t mean it lacks action. Its cadence allows for multiple episodes of delicate setup to take place, but never drifts thanks to the snappy script and eye-catching performances. When it chooses to click into next gear though, it never disappoints. Highlights include exciting street battles, heists, and prison breaks – each a wonderfully choreographed sequence with genuinely tangible stakes at play.
Andor is one of the very best things ever to come out of the Star Wars universe. It’s a masterfully constructed political and espionage thriller unafraid to tackle real-world issues and challenge the oppressive nature of bureaucracy. It’s Jason Bourne and Michael Clayton stood side-by-side wearing Stormtrooper armour. Tony Gilroy’s vision has been ...
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amazing
Andor is one of the very best TV shows of the year and as good as Star Wars has been in a long, long time.
Simon Cardy
Reviewed on Disney+
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Andor: Created by Tony Gilroy. With Diego Luna, Kyle Soller, Stellan Skarsgård, Genevieve O'Reilly. Prequel series to Star Wars' 'Rogue One'. In an era filled with danger, deception and intrigue, Cassian will embark on the path that is destined to turn him into a Rebel hero.
- (150K)
- Action, Adventure, Drama
- TV-14
- 2022-09-21
Sep 20, 2022 · ‘Andor’ Review: Star Wars Without the ‘Star Wars’. The franchise’s latest series on Disney+ sticks to the story but flushes a lot of the usual trappings out the airlock. Share full...
Nov 24, 2022 · Andor finale review: one of Star Wars’ best chapters yet - The Verge. Streaming. Andor’s season finale solidifies it as one of Star Wars’ greatest stories. The final episode of Andor’s...
