Diego Luna’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Series Proved Everyone Wrong

by

While many spin-off shows don’t succeed, Andor has become a standout success, quickly establishing itself as one of the best Star Wars stories to date. The show explores the backstory of Cassian Andor, a complex and popular character from the Star Wars universe, showing his transformation from a selfish criminal into a vital leader within the Rebel Alliance.

Even though the Star Wars universe is huge and covers over 25,000 years of history, Andor is a concise 24-episode series that’s easy to watch all at once. While fans of Star Wars will appreciate the many references, it’s not necessary to be familiar with the franchise to enjoy Andor, making it a great starting point for anyone new to the saga.

No One Could’ve Expected A Rogue One Spinoff To Be This Good

When Rogue One: A Star Wars Story came out, I remember thinking it was a really cool, darker take on the Star Wars universe. It followed this group of rebels on what was basically a one-way trip, and it really showed how much hope fueled the rebellion. Honestly, because everyone on the team died, I never expected to see a Rogue One spin-off, let alone one that would actually be good!

Creating a series around a character whose death we already know was a risky move, and while Cassian Andor was interesting, he wasn’t the most popular choice for a lead. But the show surprised everyone by becoming intensely focused on politics, deliberately avoiding familiar characters and nostalgic storylines. The director aimed to make it ‘the most political show out there.’

Let me tell you, Andor completely blew me away. While Star Wars has always had political undertones, this series really leaned into that, mirroring real-world struggles against corruption, and honestly, it worked brilliantly. Critics loved it – a whopping 96% on Rotten Tomatoes! What’s truly impressive is it didn’t need the usual Star Wars tropes – no constant lightsaber duels or heavy reliance on the Force. It stood on its own with incredible storytelling and deeply developed characters. Everyone doubted a Star Wars show could succeed without those things, but Andor proved them all wrong. It’s not just a good Star Wars show; it’s a masterpiece, period.

Andor Is Up There With Empire Strikes Back As Some Of The Best Star Wars

Many fans consider The Empire Strikes Back to be the strongest film in the Star Wars series, thanks to its darker mood and more complex story. It was a bold move away from the lighter tone of earlier movies, and it proved to be a success. Similarly, the series Andor also took big creative chances, and like The Empire Strikes Back, those risks ultimately benefited the franchise.

Andor and The Empire Strikes Back on Rotten Tomatoes
Title Rotten Tomatoes Critics’ Rating Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating
The Empire Strikes Back 93% 97%
Andor 96% 89%

Many fantasy and science fiction stories, like Star Wars, center around a “chosen one” character. However, Andor broke away from this idea, letting its characters grapple with difficulties, question their abilities, and sometimes even stumble. While sci-fi and fantasy often offer a welcome escape, Andor stood out by showing characters facing realistic challenges.

While thrilling action is fun, what truly makes Star Wars great often lies in its detailed world and relatable characters. Both The Empire Strikes Back and Andor excel at this, and Andor is particularly strong because its powerful performances make the story’s themes of rebellion feel both important and hopeful, suggesting it will remain a beloved series for years to come.

Read More

2026-03-03 03:40