The Mandalorian And Grogu Really Has No Excuse For This Failure

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Like most Star Wars projects, The Mandalorian and Grogu received a mixed reaction. Critics generally found it enjoyable, but felt the story wasn’t particularly strong. Fans were equally divided – some loved it, while others were disappointed, feeling it didn’t live up to the hype or their expectations for a Star Wars film. This kind of response was pretty predictable.

It was somewhat surprising to see The Mandalorian and Grogu judged by a standard from decades ago. This feels like a problem the show should have moved past, especially considering the values expressed by some of its stars and the positive direction the Star Wars universe seemed to be heading.

The Mandalorian And Grogu Completely Fails The Bechdel Test

The Bechdel test, created in 1985 by cartoonist Alison Bechdel, is a simple way to evaluate how movies and TV shows portray women. A film or show ‘passes’ the test if it features at least two women who have a conversation with each other about something besides men. While it seems like a basic requirement, surprisingly many projects don’t meet it.

It’s disappointing to note that The Mandalorian and Grogu falls short in its representation of women. While Sigourney Weaver plays a notable character, Colonel Ward, a high-ranking official in the New Republic, she’s essentially the only significant female character. Beyond her, the only other female presence of any importance are the unnamed twin villains. This lack of meaningful female interaction means the film fails the Bechdel test by a wide margin.

Star Wars Has To Do Better

Some fans might disagree, but the movie really missed an opportunity by not including more female characters who interact with each other. While the story focuses on Din Djarin and Grogu, there’s no good reason why almost every speaking role had to be a man. They could have easily made several characters – like the bounty hunter or the New Republic officials Din meets – women.

It’s surprising that no one involved with the movie – neither the creators nor the actors – seemed to notice this major imbalance. Whether their concerns were dismissed or they simply didn’t bring it up, the final result is a film with a noticeably uneven representation of men and women.

It’s been nearly seven years since the last Star Wars film, and the recent issues with the portrayal of women in The Mandalorian and Grogu highlight a continuing problem. While Star Wars has a history of strong female characters like Princess Leia and Padmé Amidala, after almost 50 years, it’s disappointing that new movies still struggle to meaningfully include women in their stories.

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2026-06-06 20:40