It’s been over a quarter of a century since Maul, the red-skinned, horned lord of the Sith, made his Star Wars debut. Now, following his incredible resurrection in The Clone Wars, he finally has his own series – proof that some things are worth waiting for. Maul – Shadow Lord is a breathless, carnal and stylish series that leans heavily into its protagonist’s appeal, while living and breathing the history of Star Wars.
The animation style has come so far since The Clone Wars. This is also true of other recent shows like The Bad Batch, but Shadow Lord shows it off like never before with an angular, dark style that combines elements of horror with crime noir. The lightsabers fizz with a newfound intensity, a perfect accompaniment to the duels that are the highlight of the series. Every one of them possesses a brutality and voraciousness that makes your heart beat faster (even if the results are arguably unsatisfying – Maul never seems capable of anything more than a stalemate).
The whole show only exists so you can bask in Maul’s aura, and Star Wars legend Sam Witwer brings him to life with tangible anguish, pain, and grace, as well as his relentless fury. Much like the exceptional Andor, Shadow Lord concerns itself with independence, identity, and strength of will. But unlike other Star Wars stories, the protagonist here is never mistaken for a hero. He is a malevolent and scheming demon, who returns to the fold in scintillating style and in a manner that reminds you of why his popularity – like Maul himself – endures.
All episodes of Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord are streaming now on Disney+.
