"The Acolyte" proved what female fans knew all along: The powerful sex appeal of the dark side

The dark side of the Force has never been more violent or compelling than in Star Wars’ latest series “The Acolyte.” In the June 25 episode "Night," it's revealed that goofy apothecary Qimir is in fact a Sith Lord master known as the Stranger, who's been secretly training assassin and acolyte Mae Aniseya for several years. In the cases of Rey, Mae and Osha in particular, the female gaze depicts their dark side villains with more complexity, one whose inner conflicts and mysteries they can’t help but find compelling. Other fans opposing this more female-friendly direction of the Star Wars universe cite the “woobification” of dark side villains like Kylo Ren, whom they claim is “problematic.” They also claim that his actions have been romanticized, which they say is an endorsement of the same behavior in real life, which frankly diminishes the intelligence of the series’ audience and their ability to discern the difference between reality and fiction. One thing remains true: Judging by the internet’s response, by making the ethos of the dark side as something tempting and also something one must accept to find balance, the female gaze propels “The Acolyte” and elevates the central thesis of the entire Star Wars series: how one must have a balance between the light and dark side of the Force, to its highest potential.