Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (Disney+) – Review

This review is based on the first three episodes of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. 

**Warning: Spoilers for Skeleton Crew ahead.**

When Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope first hit theaters in May 1977, its charm lay in its universality. Creator George Lucas envisioned a tale aimed at children, tapping into the wonder, confusion, and big questions that define adolescence. TIME Magazine hailed it as a film for “the kid in everybody”, and its legacy as a formative story for young audiences has endured for decades. Lucas often reminded skeptics that Star Wars was never meant to be a “grown-up” movie but a story for 12-year-olds navigating the trials of growing up. Whether or not audiences fully agreed, the franchise’s enduring appeal suggests Lucas was onto something timeless.

That spirit of youthful discovery is at the heart of Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, the latest Disney+ series exploring the galaxy far, far away. The eight-episode show follows four kids who stumble upon a mysterious discovery on their seemingly safe home planet, only to find themselves lost in a dangerous galaxy. Their journey home, filled with unexpected allies and formidable enemies, is a clear nod to the children-centric adventure films of the 1980s. 

Set years after the fall of the Galactic Empire in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983), Skeleton Crew mirrors the transitional uncertainty of its epoch, with the New Republic still finding its footing and the Jedi reduced to whispers of a bygone era. Peace may have returned to the galaxy, but the forgotten corners offer ample opportunity for piracy and adventure. 

Inspired by Spielbergian classics like The Goonies (1985) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), showrunners Jon Watts (Spider-Man: No Way Home) and Christopher Ford (Spider-Man: Homecoming) lean into the Amblin Entertainment formula of kids thrust into extraordinary circumstances, learning lessons about the wider galaxy and their place in it. This fresh perspective sets Skeleton Crew apart from other Star Wars projects, offering a nostalgic yet forward-thinking take on what the franchise can mean to a new generation.

You can’t have a sci-fi adventure without a group of heroes, and in Skeleton Crew, these heroes take the form of kids: Wim (Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Encanto) and his best friend, the charming Ortolan Neel (Robert Timothy Smith, Wolfs); Fern (Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Firestarter), and KB (Kyriana Kratter, Bunk’d), whose design draws inspiration from the classic Lobot characters of the original Star Wars films. These are ordinary kids living on an extraordinary planet, their hometown a curious blend of normal, suburban Americana and Disney’s now-defunct Galactic Starcruiser hotel. 

Much like J.J. Abrams’ Super 8 (2011), the series relies heavily on the strength of its young cast, and while the performances occasionally lean into youthful exuberance, the actors deliver more often than not. It is Wim, played with wide-eyed wonder by Cabot-Conyers, who sets the adventure in motion. 

A regular kid growing restless with the monotony of life on his home planet, Wim embodies the idealistic wonder of someone enchanted by fantastical stories of Jedi knights but prone to impulsive decisions. His curiosity leads him to a hidden starship, and from there, the group embarks on a journey that will take them far beyond the familiar comforts of their home planet. This is where Skeleton Crew taps into the classic Star Wars themes of myth and heroism, as tales of Jedi Knights – now mostly legends in the aftermath of Order 66 – serve as inspiration for Wim, and ground the story in the relatable experiences of its young protagonists.

Joining Wim is Neel, his loyal best friend and the group’s emotional anchor. Timothy Smith plays Neel with a warm and generous spirit, making him the glue that holds the group together, particularly during moments of conflict. And friction there is, particularly between the idealistic Wim and Kiera Armstrong’s more pragmatic Fern. 

Fern stands out as a complex character, balancing headstrong rebellion with a deep sense of protectiveness for her friends. At an age where she’s no longer a child but not yet a teenager, Fern navigates the challenges of growing up with a tough exterior that hides her vulnerability. Kiera Armstrong brings a natural leadership quality to the role, portraying Fern as a girl unafraid to voice her opinions. Her rebellious streak, particularly in her strained relationship with her mother Fara (Kerry Condon, the Avengers movies) adds an intriguing element to her personality, though the later episodes would benefit from further exploring her softer side.

Rounding out the group is KB, Fern’s tech-savvy friend. KB’s reliance on advanced technology, including her augmented gear, makes her stand out both visually and socially. Kratter imbues KB with a reserved intensity, portraying her as someone deeply intelligent but not entirely comfortable in social settings. Despite her seriousness, Kratter allows glimpses of KB’s gentle side, particularly in her bond with Fern. While the first three episodes hint at a deeper story surrounding KB’s dependence on technology, this narrative thread remains underexplored, leaving room for the series to delve further into her character’s challenges. 

In true Goonies fashion, the underground starship that these kids discover and explore, titled the ‘Onyx Cinder’, used to belong to a group of dead space pirates, with its only survivor being – you guessed it – a droid. Every great Star Wars story includes a droid companion, and Skeleton Crew follows that tradition by introducing a somewhat cantankerous one in Nick Frost’s (Shaun of the Dead) SM-33. There’s a cute Easter egg for The Goonies fans here, as SM-33 is a one-eyed robot with a peg leg, reminiscent of that film’s legendary pirate ‘One-Eyed Willy’.

Unfortunately, SM-33 is unable to help the children locate their home planet, complicating their journey and suggesting that it may be hidden from the known galaxy. Determined to seek information about their home and repair their dilapidated ship, the four kids venture to a seedy spaceport in the Outer Rim. This lawless haven, teeming with unsavoury characters, quickly becomes a dangerous playground where the children find themselves pursued by bloodthirsty pirates. 

It’s in this chaotic setting that they encounter Jude Law’s (Captain Marvel, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore) enigmatic Jod Na Nawood, who enters the story draped in Jedi robes and cloaked in mystery. Jod claims to be the heroic Jedi of Wim’s fantastical stories, but the narrative quickly hints at deeper mysteries beneath his polished exterior. Unlike straightforward heroes, Jod carries the weight of betrayal and a past steeped in ambiguity. While his Force abilities add intrigue, his motivations remain unclear in the show’s early episodes. Law’s performance recalls the roguish charm of Star Wars hero Han Solo but with the added mystique of a Force user, setting the stage for a character whose true nature is sure to keep audiences guessing.

With its band of adventurous kids led by a self-proclaimed Jedi, Skeleton Crew embraces familiar tropes while adding its own unique twists. The showrunners have fun playing with audience expectations, subverting some while leaning into others. Each character is given room to breathe, with minor subtleties and nuanced moments that lend dimension to their identities. Callbacks and cameos sprinkled throughout the episodes provide a nostalgic touch for longtime Star Wars fans, creating a sense of connection to the wider universe. 

Visually, Skeleton Crew stays true to the original Star Wars aesthetic, delivering a universe that feels both expansive and lived-in. Watts and Ford’s decision to capture the classic aesthetic, combined with wider landscape shots of episode two’s bustling spaceport and deliberate camera movements create a visually exciting experience that pays homage to the franchise’s roots while forging its own path, setting the show apart from the more CGI-heavy Star Wars sequel projects.

It’s hard to tell with just three episodes where the story will go, but it’s clear this is a journey that charts its own course through the Star Wars galaxy, without any apparent links to the movies, lore or characters – just the same universe. The franchise has been trying to branch out for a while now, with varying degrees of success (efforts like The Acolyte faced setbacks). Skeleton Crew, however, shows promise in its exploration of a new corner of the galaxy, and in doing so, rediscovers the heart of what makes Star Wars special.

And for those ready to explore this heartfelt journey that blends the old and the new, this could be an adventure worth taking.

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew is now streaming on Disney+, with new episodes dropping weekly.

Natalie

Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Sylus from Love and Deepspace.