The other day, I was rewatching Rogue One with a friend who hadn’t seen it in years. As the credits rolled, they turned to me and said, “Why can’t all the Disney Star Wars movies be this good?” It hit me because I’ve thought the exact same thing.
Rogue One and Andor stand out in a way that’s hard to ignore. They don’t rely on fan service or nostalgia to carry the story. Instead, they dive deep into the gritty reality of the Star Wars universe, showing us the struggles and sacrifices of the people who don’t wield lightsabers or channel the Force.
Thinking back on it, I realized these two stories do something unique—they make Star Wars feel grounded and human.
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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – A Grounded Look at the Rebellion
I think most Star Wars fans who’ve seen Rogue One would agree—it’s an incredible movie, especially when compared to the original trilogy or the prequels. What makes it stand out, in my opinion, is how it gives us a completely different perspective on the Star Wars universe. Don’t get me wrong—it still focuses on the core of Star Wars, the Galactic struggle between the Empire and the Rebellion. But it does so in a way that feels more grounded and human.
What really sets Rogue One apart is how it shows the Rebellion as this scrappy underdog force. Throughout the movie, we see that the Rebels don’t have much—just X-Wings, regular soldiers, and people willing to risk everything to stand up against the Empire. Meanwhile, the Empire is developing a weapon so devastating it can obliterate anyone who dares to stand against them in an instant.
I’ll admit, when I first heard about Rogue One, I wasn’t sold on the idea of a Star Wars movie without Jedi, Sith, or lightsaber combat. But by the time the credits rolled, my perspective had completely shifted. The film is so well-built around the existing world we know—characters like Darth Vader, and iconic elements like the Death Star—while still telling a fresh, standalone story.
What makes it even better is how well-written the characters are. Each one feels like they belong in the story, and their arcs tie perfectly into the film’s themes. Rogue One doesn’t just add to the Star Wars universe—it expands it in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Every Character in Rogue One Has Their Purpose, and None of Them Are Left Out
Cassian Andor
Cassian Andor gives us a rare glimpse into the darker, more complex side of the Rebellion—the side that doesn’t always operate with clear morality. As a spy and intelligence officer, Cassian has been on the front lines of the Rebellion’s shadow war, tasked with making difficult decisions that often blur the line between right and wrong. From the moment we meet him, it’s clear he’s a man weighed down by the things he’s had to do. In one of his first scenes, Cassian kills an informant to protect the mission—a stark reminder that in war, even heroes must compromise their ideals.
Throughout the film, we see the toll his actions have taken on him, from his cold pragmatism to his internal struggle as he begins to question the methods of the Rebellion. This is especially evident when he’s ordered to assassinate Galen Erso, Jyn’s father, to prevent the Empire from completing the Death Star. Cassian has every opportunity to pull the trigger, but in that moment, his hesitation reveals the conflict within him. It’s a turning point that shows he’s starting to question whether following orders at any cost is the right path. It’s only after meeting Jyn and witnessing her unwavering determination that Cassian begins to rediscover a sense of purpose. He realizes the fight isn’t just about survival or obedience—it’s about giving hope to others and standing for something bigger than himself.
Jyn Erso
For me, Jyn Erso’s story is the emotional core of Rogue One. From the moment we’re introduced to her as a child, it’s impossible not to feel the weight of her tragic past. She loses everything—her mother, her father, and any sense of stability—all thanks to the Empire. Growing up, she’s left to fend for herself, turning into someone who doesn’t trust anyone and keeps the world at arm’s length. By the time we meet her as an adult, she’s not interested in fighting the Empire or joining the Rebellion. Survival is her only priority.
When she’s dragged into the Rebellion’s plans, it’s not because she cares about their cause—it’s because the Rebel promises to help Jyn find her father. At first, Jyn remains distant and detached, but you start to see cracks in her armor as the story unfolds. One of the key moments happens on Jedha, where she witnesses the brutal reality of the Empire’s oppression. The destruction of the holy city and the suffering of its people hit hard, forcing her to confront just how devastating the Empire’s reign truly is.
Then comes the moment when she watches Galen’s holographic message, and everything changes. Suddenly, her father isn’t just a memory or a source of pain—he’s a man who made an impossible choice to try and save the galaxy from the inside. That moment doesn’t just hit Jyn; it hits us as viewers.
Director Orson Krennic
Orson Krennic stands apart from most Star Wars villains. He’s not a Sith, a high-ranking military commander, or a shadowy Emperor pulling the strings. Instead, he’s an ambitious bureaucrat, fighting to climb the ranks of the Galactic Empire through cunning, manipulation, and ruthless determination. What makes Krennic so fascinating isn’t just his role in overseeing the Death Star’s construction—it’s his unrelenting desire for recognition and power in a system that barely acknowledges him.
From the start, Krennic’s desperation to rise within the Empire is palpable. He’s not interested in loyalty or ideology—his primary motivation is personal advancement. You see this ambition driving his every move, from forcing Galen Erso to work on the Death Star to confronting Darth Vader and even trying to appeal directly to Emperor Palpatine. But what’s so striking is how, despite all his efforts, Krennic is constantly undermined by the Empire’s hierarchy. Grand Moff Tarkin steps in to take credit for the Death Star.
Krennic’s dynamic with Galen Erso adds another layer to his character. He sees Galen not as a friend or colleague but as a tool—an expendable piece in his grand design. The way Krennic manipulates Galen, even going as far as threatening Lyra and Jyn, shows how far he’s willing to go to achieve his goals. His visit to the Erso family on Lah’mu in the opening scene of Rogue One is a masterclass in quiet intimidation. Ben Mendelsohn’s performance captures Krennic’s smug arrogance perfectly, from his condescending tone to the way he tries to assert dominance over Galen.
Star Wars: Andor – The Foundations of a Rebellion
Andor dives even deeper into the complexities of the Rebellion, offering a fresh look at its formation. It’s the Star Wars series we didn’t ask for but absolutely needed. Where Rogue One left us with the unforgettable sacrifice of its heroes, Andor takes us back to explore what drives ordinary people to stand against a galactic superpower like the Empire.
We get to see Cassian Andor’s journey—from a disillusioned survivor to a determined revolutionary—serve as the heart of the story. Early in the series, Cassian is just trying to survive, scrounging for resources on Ferrix and keeping his head down. But everything changes when he accidentally kills two Imperial officers and becomes a target of the Empire.
Ferrix itself becomes a microcosm of the larger rebellion. The community starts out as a relatively quiet, tight-knit group trying to endure Imperial rule. But as the Empire tightens its grip, the people of Ferrix are pushed to their breaking point. The riot in the final episodes is a culmination of this tension: it begins with Maarva’s funeral, where her posthumous speech becomes a rallying cry.
Beyond Ferrix, the series gives us a deeper look at the Empire’s machinery and the individuals who suffer under it. The prison arc on Narkina 5 is one of the most powerful storylines in the series. Cassian is unjustly imprisoned in a brutal labor camp, where the inmates are forced to build components for the Empire. What makes this arc so impactful is the slow build of tension and hopelessness, culminating in the prisoners’ daring escape led by Kino Loy, played brilliantly by Andy Serkis. Kino’s heartbreaking realization—“I can’t swim”—perfectly encapsulates the sacrifices made by those who fight for freedom, even when they won’t live to see the rewards.
The storytelling in Andor is elevated by its complex characters and sharp writing. Cassian’s arc is deeply personal, but it’s mirrored by other key players like Mon Mothma, who faces her own battles in the political arena. Her struggle to secretly fund the Rebellion while maintaining her facade as a loyal senator is one of the most tense and nuanced subplots in Star Wars history. One particularly gripping moment is when Mon Mothma is forced to seek financial help from Davo Sculdun, a shady figure with ties to the underworld. His condition—that their families be joined through marriage—highlights just how much Mon is forced to compromise her personal values for the cause.
All of these elements—the emotional stakes, the grounded storytelling, the moral complexities—make Andor a standout in the Star Wars universe. It’s not just a great series because of its connection to Rogue One or its ties to the larger saga; it’s great because it dares to tell a story about what rebellion really costs and what it takes to fight back against overwhelming odds. Andor proves that Star Wars doesn’t need lightsabers or Jedi to deliver something truly extraordinary.