At Dragon Con 2024, Qimir/the Stranger actor Manny Jacinto explained howStar Wars’newest Sith Lord pulled off his incredibly creepy entrance inThe Acolyteepisode 4. DespiteThe Acolyte’scancelation, the show remains a fascinating addition toStar Warsmovies and TV shows. In fact,in spite of the show’s mixed reception (to say the least), many viewers found Qimir/the Stranger absolutely fascinating. Part of the success of this character was due to how truly evil, powerful, and creepy he was, and his episode 4 entrance was a great example.
As shared byoshaniseyason X, Manny Jacinto revealed many new details about his experience playing Qimir/the Stranger inThe Acolyteat Dragon Con. Among these reveals was an explanation of how the Stranger floated down from the sky when he made his entrance inThe Acolyteepisode 4; evidently, the scene was simply filmed in reverse, with Jacinto being lifted up on wires.
Although this was a very simple approach, it worked brilliantly in the show, asQimir/the Stranger descending from above and landing silently behind Osha was genuinely terrifying and ominous.
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The Sith Lord’s Episode 4 Arrival Was Truly Chilling
Qimir/the Stranger’s arrival inThe Acolyteepisode 4 was genuinely creepy, so much so that it seemed almost like a moment from a horror movie. This is largely in keeping with Qimir’s character throughoutThe Acolyte. In fact, although this moment took place in episode 4,The Acolyteepisode 5saw how truly dark the show would become, as Qimir cut down multiple Jedi, including by stabbing Jedi Padawan Jecki Lon through multiple times and referring to her as"it"and snapping Yord Fandar’s neck unceremoniously.
This entrance inThe Acolyteepisode 4 also tied into anotherStar Warsmoment, although not one fromStar Warscanon. In a way,this moment with Qimir re-canonizes Count Dooku’s gliding power from Genndy Tartakovsky’sStar Wars: Clone Wars (2003). DespiteThe Acolyte’scontroversies and backlash, this is just one of multiple examples of the show taking something fromStar WarsLegends and making it canon. Indeed, though Darth Plagueis was already canon,The Acolytebrought him to theStar Warsscreen for the very first time and introduced cortosis on-screen as well.
Given how muchThe Acolyteintroduced, it’s impressive that the show found such straightforward workarounds for what needed to be done on screen. Again, while Qimir’s entrance in episode 4 was truly chilling, it was executed in such a simple way. Sadly, withThe Acolyteofficially not being renewed for season 2, the show’s innovations and approaches have come to an end. However,Star Warscan continue to learn fromThe Acolyte, particularly when it comes to bringing a more horror-like element to the franchise—the Sith Lords especially.
The Acolyte
Cast
The Acolyte is a television series set in the Star Wars universe at the end of the High Republic Era, where both the Jedi and the Galactic Empire were at the height of their influence. This sci-fi thriller sees a former Padawan reunite with her former Jedi Master as they investigate several crimes - all leading to darkness erupting from beneath the surface and preparing to bring about the end of the High Republic.
