No Jedi. No lightsabers. No galactic prophecy. And yet, Andor has done the impossible: itโs officially the highest-rated live-action Star Wars title ever, and it pulled it off by leaning into something even rarer than the Force โ consistent, universal critical acclaim.
With a jaw-dropping 98% on Rotten Tomatoes (see for yourself), Andor Season 2 has leapfrogged everything from The Empire Strikes Back (a respectable 95%) to The Mandalorian, and yes, even its own stellar first season, which trails just behind at 96%. Thatโs not just high praise โ thatโs Force-level storytelling.
Letโs break down what makes this series so universally beloved and why this new season may be the crown jewel of Star Wars storytelling.
No Jedi, No Problem: Andorโs Secret Weapon Is Its Writing
While most Star Wars shows reach for flashy lightsaber duels and nostalgic cameos, Andor is taking the long way around โ and itโs paying off. Created by Tony Gilroy, the series focuses on Cassian Andor, a rebel spy navigating a dark and morally complex galaxy, all leading up to the events of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
Itโs spy thriller meets space politics, minus the Jedi mind tricks. And somehow, thatโs exactly whatโs winning over critics and viewers alike.
- Sharp political commentary
- Deep character development
- A grounded rebellion story without the fantasy trimmings
Who knew that bureaucracy and moral gray areas could be so compelling in a galaxy far, far away?
Critics Were Given All 12 Episodes โ And They Loved Every Second
In a surprising move, Disney sent all 12 episodes of Andor Season 2 to critics ahead of its premiere โ something almost unheard of for major franchises. Normally, only the first 2โ3 episodes are released for review. So what changed?
Clearly, Disney had serious confidence in what it was delivering. And judging by the results, that bet paid off. Early reactions praised the complete arc, calling it:
- โA masterclass in serialized storytelling.โ
- โThe best-written Star Wars since Empire.โ
- โA slow-burn revolution that explodes by the end.โ
And letโs not forget: itโs premiering tonight on Disney+ with a three-episode drop, so the rest of us can finally catch up with the critics.
Rotten Tomatoes Scores: Andor vs. the Star Wars Universe
Hereโs how Andor Season 2 stacks up against the rest of the galaxy:
- Andor Season 2 โ 98%
- Andor Season 1 โ 96%
- The Empire Strikes Back โ 95%
- The Mandalorian (Season 1) โ 93%
- Star Wars Rebels โ 98% (but with fewer mainstream critic reviews)
- Rogue One โ 84%
- Solo โ 69%
- Attack of the Clones โ 61%
- The Rise of Skywalker โ 51% (yikes)
In other words, Andor isnโt just topping the charts โ itโs sitting on the throne with a smirk and a manifesto.
What Makes Andor Different From Other Star Wars Shows?
The real magic of Andor lies in how it flips Star Wars storytelling on its head. Instead of focusing on ancient Force powers or prophecies, it explores what it means to fight back against fascism โ and what it costs to win.
There are no chosen ones here. Just everyday people, fighting to survive and rebel in a system designed to crush them. Add in award-worthy performances, razor-sharp scripts, and breathtaking cinematography, and you get a show thatโs as emotionally intelligent as it is visually stunning.
Final Thoughts: Andor Just Set a New Standard for Star Wars
Andor Season 2 isn’t just a critical darling โ it’s a blueprint for how Star Wars can evolve. It proves you donโt need lightsabers or fan-service-heavy cameos to tell a powerful story in this universe. All you need is human drama, strong writing, and a willingness to explore the darker corners of the galaxy.
If this is the direction Star Wars is heading in, the future is looking a lot more grounded โ and a whole lot more interesting.
Now, if someone could just give Mon Mothma a spinoff and Luthen Rael a memoir, that would be great.
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