As the reviews for Andor come streaming in, many critics agree that the Star Wars show's dark, edgy story is a win.
Serving a prequel to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story and an origin story for the titular Cassian Andor (Diego Luna), the Disney+ series is focusing on a more personal, boots-on-the-ground story in comparison to the rest of the franchise. Reviewing for CBR, Sam Stone praised Andor for taking advantage of "the more mature themes and narrative potential in the show by offering its title character a greater stage to explore and grow." Stone also comments that, as the center of the show, Luna brings plenty of depth and nuance to his portrayal of a lost yet determined revolutionary.
These sentiments were shared by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, who notes that Andor's slow-burn approach to storytelling allows the eponymous character to organically develop in a world that's slowly succumbing to The Empire. The review also makes it clear that the Star Wars show is intended for more mature audiences due to its depiction of "brothels and romantic interludes that make it clear that these characters engage in intimate relationships." Writing for Screen Rant, Graeme Guttmann states that, based on the first four episodes screened to critics, Andor may be a contender for the best Star Wars series yet. "Ultimately, Andor proves what many have long suspected: Star Wars is at its best when it tries something new," Guttmann writes.
During the build-up to the show's Disney+ premiere, Andor's cast and creative team haven't shied away from discussing the show's darker tone. Luna has previously stated that he believes the series is the most "grounded" Star Wars project yet. "This is about the people. There's no Jedi around, and it's very dark times in the galaxy," Luna said. "It's when the people have to come together, articulate a response, and work in communities because the Empire is growing and control is everywhere."
Showrunner Tony Gilroy echoed these thoughts, comparing Andor to his time working on the Bourne franchise. "It was about making it real," Gilroy explained. "Keeping someone you really understand and really care about in a place that you understand the geography of, with stakes, is much more involving than a guy on a train with 15 machine guns and a helicopter coming down."
The first three episodes of Andor premiere on Disney+ on Sept. 21.
Source: CBR, Collider, Screen Rant