‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Review: Temptation Thrives in the Dark

The following review covers episodes 1-8 of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord and is spoiler-free.

Animated Star Wars projects have produced some of the very best storytelling in the entire franchise, and Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is no exception. Maul (Sam Witwer) has been part of multiple incredible arcs in both Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, and now he gets his own story set in between the two aforementioned series.

Even in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, a movie many fans consider a disappointment, Darth Maul (Ray Park) and the Duel of the Fates against Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) is widely considered the best part of the film. Now, after multiple apparent deaths and many appearances as either the villain or the thorn in the side of various Star Wars heroes, Maul finally gets the spotlight.

Although Maul is part of some incredible action sequences and strong storytelling, the ensemble cast and beautiful visuals in Star Wars: Maul -Shadow Lord are what make the series special. The stories of a Jedi, his Padawan, and a detective on the planet Janix are equally important to Mauls. The animation style is similar to that of The Clone Wars and Rebels, but levelled up to match the current era, with a tinge of hyper-realism that, at times, makes it appear almost live-action.

‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Features an Incredible Cast

Sam Witwer as Maul is one of the most beloved voice-acting performers in the entire Star Wars universe, so it’s truly a blessing to have him back for this series. While there is nothing more iconic than a high-pitched, screaming “KENOBIIII!” from Witwer, the first eight episodes feature multiple moments of top-tier voice work.

However, while Witwer is obviously the centrepiece of the series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord features an incredible ensemble cast. Oscar nominee Wagner Moura shines as Brander Lawson, while his son Rylee (Charlie Bushnell) and annoying droid partner Two-Boots (Richard Ayodade) give strong performances as well.

Although Maul is the titular character, Jedi Devon Izara (Gideon Adlon) and her master Eeko-Dio-Daki (Dennis Haysbert) play equally prominent roles. Haysbert plays a classic Jedi beholden to the rules of old, while Adlon’s Devon Izara is the most exciting addition to the universe in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord.

Jedi Devon Izara Takes Center Stage

Devon Izara is a young and incredibly skilled Jedi who survived Order 66 with Jedi Master Eeko-Dio-Daki. Maul’s thirst to develop an apprentice and take down the Empire causes their paths to intertwine, and Devon’s urge to protect people while her master wants to hide creates a pathway to the temptations of the dark side of The Force.

While Devon’s desires are completely moral and just, Maul attempts to manipulate these feelings to secure a powerful new ally. Their dynamic makes for incredible storytelling, as both parties ultimately want the same thing: the fall of the Empire, despite each holding different philosophies on how to accomplish it.

For a large portion of the series, Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord focuses on the story of Devon and Eeko-Dio-Daki at the expense of Maul’s screen time, but their journey is captivating enough to make up for the lack of the former Sith Lord.

‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ Blurs the Lines Between Good and Evil

Maul’s quest to reclaim power in the criminal underworld features thrilling drama between rival gangs, but the highlight is undoubtedly the visuals of the action sequences. The series contains some of the most exciting lightsaber duels in the franchise’s history, as Maul sneakily slices his way through his opponents, before ultimately coming face-to-face with Marrok (A.J. LoCascio) and the Empire’s Inquisitors.

The animation is similar to previous Star Wars animated series, but looks far more realistic and sharp. The best part of the art style is how the lightsabers look in action, with a smoky aura around them and burning edges of a true laser sword, a chaotic energy controlled only by the power of the Force.

Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord is a strong addition to the already great legacy of animated Star Wars shows. The relationship between Maul and Devon Izara, paired with incredible performances from Sam Witwer and Gideon Adlon, alongside breathtaking animation, makes the series a must-watch for Star Wars fans on Disney+.

The first two episodes of Star Wars: Maul Shadow Lord are now streaming on Disney+, with two new episodes dropping every Monday. Subscribe to the Agents of Fandom podcast and YouTube channel for more Star Wars: Maul Shadow Lord coverage!

Make sure to follow the Agents of Fandom socials for the latest entertainment news and reviews.