A new Star Wars theory suggests The Acolyte’s new dark side user has a major connection to the sequel trilogy’s Kylo Ren. Having debuted and been unmasked in The Acolyte episode 5, the identity of Mae Aniseya’s master is now known. However, some key clues have suggested that this new dark side user is not actually a Dark Lord of the Sith.

In The Acolyte episode 5, it was revealed that Qimir (Manny Jacinto) was the apparent Sith behind the mask, the dark side user responsible for Mae’s training and the murder of the Wookiee Jedi Kelnaaca (not to mention the five other Jedi he killed in this episode before his unmasking). However, he notably claims to Master Sol (Lee Jung-jae) that while the Jedi would call him a Sith, the implication is that that’s not what he would call himself. Instead, some key clues suggest that “The Stranger” instead carries a major connection to Kylo Ren.

The Acolyte’s Music Contains A Kylo Ren Reference

Kylo Ren’s Theme Plays At The Very End Of The Episode

At the end of the carnage, Master Sol is the last Jedi standing in The Acolyte episode 5. Unknowingly taking Mae who’s disguised as Osha off Khofar, Sol doesn’t know that the real Osha was left with Qimir aka “The Stranger”. While Qimir heals her wounds with the Force, Kylo Ren’s theme from The Force Awakens can notably be heard. As such, this could be a major clue that Qimir has something huge in common with the First Order leader, even though Ben Solo won’t be born in the Star Wars timeline for close to another 140 years.

Initially, this musical theme could be a reference and clue for a couple of different things. Firstly, it may be a tease that Osha and Mae will indeed be revealed as a dyad in the Force, a rare bond “unseen in generations” which Rey Skywalker and Kylo Ren also shared in the sequels. However, it could also be a tease regarding who “The Stranger” actually is within the dark side beyond the Sith Lords: a member of the Knights of Ren.

There Are Striking Similarities Between The Knights Of Ren & The Acolyte’s Sith

Qimir’s Helmet And Unique Lightsaber

There are some key similarities between Qimir’s “The Stranger” and Kylo Ren. Firstly, their helmets look remarkably similar in shape and design, though it’s also worth noting that Qimir’s helmet is made from an impressive cortosis weave while Kylo Ren’s helmet was eventually reforged using Sith alchemy. As such, one has to wonder how “The Stranger” might reforge his own broken helmet following The Acolyte episode 5.

Additionally, they also have incredibly unique lightsabers. Kylo Ren’s unstable crossguard lightsaber was a major draw, having been featured as early in The Force Awakens’ first teaser, a very distinct weapon when compared to more traditional sabers. Likewise, “The Stranger’s” ability to split his lightsaber (almost like a hidden blade) is just as striking. As such, the idea that Qimir may be an early Knight of Ren holds some fascinating weight, especially given the clues that he likely doesn’t identify himself as a traditional Sith Lord.

Could The Acolyte’s Sith Lord Be The First Knight Of Ren?

The Knights of Ren Have A Long Yet Mysterious Star Wars History

Having claimed that he has no name, an exciting extension of this new Acolyte theory is that “The Stranger” could very well be revealed as the First Ren in the Star Wars timeline, albeit one who has yet to fully develop his own order distinct from the Sith. Perhaps Qimir could officially begin the Knights of Ren by the end of this new Star Wars series. Likewise, this idea could connect quite well to the little that’s known about the Knights of Ren and their history before their roles in the sequel trilogy.

In the established Star Wars canon, the Knights of Ren have been confirmed as an ancient order who were operating in the shadows of the galaxy long before their live-action debut in The Force Awakens with Ben Solo as their leader. Referring to the dark side of the Force as “The Shadow”, the Knights of Ren had a reputation as a dark side sect separate from the Sith. However, they had largely diminished by the time of the original and sequel trilogies.

However, the history of the Knights of Ren has largely been a mystery. As such, The Acolyte could be in a prime position to finally reveal their origins when and if Qimir is revealed to be the First Ren, rather than being a genuine Sith Lord. It’s also worth noting that this would also help circumvent any canon concerns about the Jedi’s interactions with the Sith before The Phantom Menace.

This Would Turn Kylo Ren Into A True Dark Side Legacy

Joining A Sect Older Than The Entire Skywalker Saga

Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

At the moment, the only known Knights of Ren are the ones seen in live-action in the sequel trilogy, as well as those who allied themselves with Crimson Dawn during the original trilogy’s Galactic Civil War before entering Palpatine’s service as revealed in the canonical comics. This includes the man who was Ren just before Ben Solo, the Knights’ leader who traditionally wields a red lightsaber as well. As such, it would be very exciting to see a much earlier version of the Knights, one led by The Acolyte’s “The Stranger”.

It will be fascinating if “The Stranger” is indeed revealed as the founder of the Knights of Ren. Even if he was simply an early Ren, it would help establish Ben Solo as the inheritor of a major dark side legacy, one separate from the Sith while also being one that was eventually co-opted by Palpatine, as was revealed in The Rise of Skywalker. As such, it would certainly provide The Acolyte with a very intriguing tie to the Skywalker saga.

The Acolyte episode 5 is now streaming. New episodes release Tuesdays at 9 PM ET on Disney+.