Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for The Acolyte episode 5

The Acolyte’s new “Sith” shares parallels and connections with both Darth Maul and Kylo Ren. Despite being unmasked in The Acolyte episode 5, there are still plenty of questions about this new dark side user and his origins. However, it’s been fascinating to see how he already mirrors two of the biggest Star Wars villains of all time.

In The Acolyte episode 5, Mae’s dark master is revealed to be Qimir, also known as “The Stranger”. However, there’s more to this new dark side user than meets the eye, and the odds are quite high that he’s not a traditional Dark Lord of the Sith. That said, here are 5 ways in which The Acolyte’s new “Sith” mirrors Darth Maul, and 5 ways he mirrors Kylo Ren.

10

Qimir’s New Lightsaber Mirrors Darth Maul’s

Hidden Saber Is Just As Surprising As Doubled-Bladed

As seen in The Phantom Menace, one of the movie’s most iconic moments is when Darth Maul ignites the second blade of his double-bladed lightsaber for the very first time. Likewise, the reveal is made even better considering he’d already fought Qui-Gon Jinn alone on Tatooine, albeit with only a single blade. The reveal of such a unique lightsaber for its time was quite exciting in the first prequel film.

To that end, Qimir’s hidden shoto blade that splits off from his original saber in The Acolyte episode 5 carries the same effect. He similarly doesn’t unveil it until the end of his duel with multiple Jedi, thus surprising and murdering Master Sol’s Padawan Jecki Lon. He effectively pulled out a hidden dagger from his primary blade, a unique lightsaber feature serving as a true act of dark deception.

9

The Stranger Could Pose A Threat To The True Sith

Just Like Maul Became A Rival To Palpatine

In The Acolyte episode 5, Qimir says that the Jedi may call him a Sith, though he doesn’t reveal what he calls himself. As such, it stands to reason that he could very well be a completely different kind of dark-side user, perhaps being a rogue Sith who doesn’t follow the established Rule of Two as the Baneite Sith Lords do. As such, this would likely make him a rival in the eyes of the true Sith, something Maul himself became as seen in The Clone Wars animated series following his survival from his defeat in The Phantom Menace and rejection by his master.

8

Qimir Faced Both A Master And An Apprentice

Maul Dueled Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan

In The Acolyte episode 5, Qimir slays multiple Jedi with ease. However, the biggest challenge he faced was against Master Sol and Jecki, who even managed to unmask him (though it did cost Jecki her life). Regardless, the duel highlights the true power of a well-bonded Jedi master and apprentice in the Star Wars canon.

As such, Qimir simultaneously dueling Sol and Jecki mirrors Maul’s duel with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi in The Phantom Menace. Known as the “Duel of the Fates”, Maul was only successful after Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan were split up. Similarly, Jecki jumping to engage this new “Sith” ahead of Sol to unmask Qimir results in her death (his hidden lightsaber function also being a contributor).

7

A Burning Hatred of The Jedi

True Dark Side Berserkers

In the Star Wars canon, Palpatine stoked a burning rage and hatred for the Jedi within his apprentice. Long before Maul had even killed his first Jedi, he was taught to hate all that they stood for, yearning to spill Jedi blood at the first opportunity once his master allowed him to do so (and sometimes even in supposed secret). In the same vein, it seems as though Qimir also carries a deep hatred for the Jedi, seeking to wield his dark powers as he wishes. As such, Qimir’s decision to massacre all the Jedi on Khofar was an easy choice to make, one he also seemed to relish.

6

Highly Skilled Acrobatic Warriors

Impressive Martial Arts And Movement

The level of fighting choreography on display in The Acolyte episode 5 is quite impressive. As Qimir goes from one Jedi to the next with his deadly crimson blade, his incredible speed and strength are on full display, along with a degree of exciting acrobatics. As such, it does bring to mind Darth Maul’s own impressive abilities, having been played by stuntman Ray Park in The Phantom Menace. To that end, it’s lots of fun to see all the recent behind-the-scenes stunt and combat training videos of Manny Jacinto as he prepared for this brand-new Star Wars role.

5

Qimir’s New Lightsaber Also Mirrors Kylo Ren’s Unique Blade

Kylo’s Crossguard Saber

Qimir’s new lightsaber function and unique style also parallels Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) just as much as Darth Maul and his double-bladed saber. Having debuted his crossguard lightsaber as early as the very first teaser for The Force Awakens, this particular lightsaber variation had never been seen before. As such, Qimir has certainly joined the ranks of Star Wars villains with unique saber functions and styles that are meant to shock and awe.

4

Kylo Ren’s Theme Plays For Qimir

At The End Of The Acolyte Episode 5

As seen at the end of The Acolyte episode 5, Kylo Ren’s recurring theme from the sequel trilogy can be heard. Seeing as how the scene is focused on Qimir following his victory against the vast majority of the Jedi who’d come to Khofar, it does seem as though a clear parallel is being drawn between this new dark side user who existed before the prequels and the primary villain of the sequels. That said, it’s not yet been revealed as to what that specific connection might be. Hopefully, it’s more than just a cool audio Easter egg.

3

The Stranger Is Capable Of Force Healing

Just Like Ben Solo

At the end of The Acolyte episode 5, Qimir is also seen using the Force to heal an unconscious Osha. Having been left by her sister Mae who’s currently with Master Sol disguised as Osha herself, it remains to be seen what Qimir has planned for Osha after rejecting Mae as his acolyte. In any event, the act of Force healing is rather notable in and of itself, seeing as how it was introduced in the sequels with Rey Skywalker and Kylo Ren in The Rise of Skywalker. Kylo Ren/Ben Solo notably used the ability to revive Rey (while sacrificing himself in the process).

2

Similar Helmet Styles

Knights of Ren Connection?

It’s also not hard to see the similarities between Qimir and Kylo Ren’s helmets. They share quite a bit of resemblance to each other, especially in The Rise of Skywalker when Kylo has his broken helmet repaired using Sith alchemy. While Qimir’s helmet is uniquely made using a rare cortosis weave, the similarity may suggest a shared connection between himself and Kylo. Perhaps Qimir will be revealed as an early member of the Knights of Ren, or even the very first Ren who founded the order.

1

Qimir and Kylo Are Both Set Apart From The Sith

Belonging To Adjacent Dark Side Groups

Although his legacy would be tied to the Sith and Palpatine as revealed in The Rise of Skywalker, Kylo Ren was originally master of the Knights of Ren, a group of dark siders with a long history in the Star Wars timeline that predates their service to Palpatine in the sequels. Even if Qimir isn’t revealed as an early Knight of Ren (or even a leading Ren as Ben Solo was), it does seem as though both “The Stranger” and Kylo Ren belong to separate sects outside the traditional Dark Lords of the Sith. As such, it will be exciting to learn what group Qimir might belong to, if he’s a lone dark side user, or if he eventually forms his own order in defiance of both the Sith and the Jedi.

New episodes of The Acolyte release on Tuesdays at 9 PM EST/6 PM PST on Disney+.