The fifth episode of The Acolyte unveiled the face of the character hiding under the mask of the formidable villain, spreading terror and death among the Jedi. During this thrilling chapter, a detail connects the mysterious and dark masked warrior with Kylo Ren, sparking a curious and exciting fan theory.
Fans have noticed similarities between this new villain and Kylo Ren, leading to speculation about a possible deeper connection between the two characters. The masked warrior’s design, fighting style, and aura of darkness all seem to echo Kylo Ren’s iconic presence, suggesting that there might be a significant link between them in the Star Wars lore.
Spoilers Ahead
The fifth episode of *The Acolyte*, titled “Night,” reveals the face behind the mask of the formidable villain terrorizing the Jedi stationed in Khofar, who are there to find Kelnacca. After the dark warrior kills several Jedi with his lightsaber, Master Sun (played by Lee Jung-Jae) is the only one able to match his skills in combat.
At one point, the Sun senses something familiar about the warrior. Jecki (played by Dafne Keen) breaks the villain’s helmet, revealing his face as Qimir, which fans had speculated based on various leaks. After killing the padawan and taking Osha hostage, Manny Jacinto’s character engages in a brief but revealing conversation with Sun.
“What are you?” Sun asks. Qimir cryptically replies, “I have no name. But Jedi, like you would call me… Sith.” Though he identifies as a Sith, Qimir’s lack of conviction and pride in the title raises questions about whether he truly belongs to the Sith Order or is simply a dark side user without further ties to the Order of Darth Vader or Darth Sidious.
Qimir then explains his objective: “to be free finally… Free to use my power as I please and without having to answer to Jedi like you.” He reveals that he only wanted “a disciple, an acolyte.” The specific use of “acolyte” instead of more common Sith terms, combined with the music at the end of the episode, has fueled fan theories about the true story the series is telling.
In the episode’s closing scene, Qimir approaches Osha, believing she is Mae, and intends to heal her wound with Force powers. At the same time, the theme associated with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver’s character in the last three Star Wars films) plays.
This musical nod not only pays homage to John Williams but also suggests that Qimir might be a knight of Ren, possibly even the first knight of Ren. The Star Wars comics explain that this mysterious order existed long before Ben Solo became their leader, and the recurring score in the episode hints that Qimir could be the original Ren.
Fixing in Canon
This theory could also resolve a potential canon conflict. According to Jedi lore, as mentioned by Master Ki-Adi Mundi in *Episode I: The Phantom Menace*, the Sith had been extinct for over a millennium. If Qimir is not a Sith but the first Knight of Ren, this would address this inconsistency.
Moreover, the villain’s appearance in *The Acolyte* aligns more closely with the Knights of Ren as depicted in the sequel trilogy and the canonical comics, rather than the traditional look of the Sith.
However, some fans argue that this theory might not hold up. The Knights of Ren, while powerful in the dark side, are generally considered lower-tier warriors compared to the Sith or Jedi. Qimir’s abilities seem on par with those of a Sith, suggesting he is mighty.
Fans must keep watching *The Acolyte* on Disney+ to find out the truth.
