Ayaan Paul Chowdhury

Tony Gilroy’s Andor, now streaming on Disney+, offers a bold and radical reimagining of the Star Wars universe. It dives deep into the roots of rebellion, not just through action, but through the political, social, and emotional struggles that make uprisings inevitable. Unlike traditional narratives, Andor is a tale of resistance built from oppression, betrayal, and survival—an intensely grounded take on galactic conflict.

Praxis before hope

Gilroy avoids cinematic spectacle in favor of the slow, painful grind of revolution. The story follows Cassian Andor, a reluctant hero shaped by colonial trauma. The first season’s prison arc frames resistance as collective solidarity, echoing anti-capitalist themes. Ferrix, the central town, becomes a symbol of systemic oppression and coded defiance. Characters like Luthen Rael embody revolutionary sacrifice, resembling Leninist ideas where revolution is messy, urgent, and born from necessity. Even Kino Loy, a reluctant prison enforcer, becomes a symbol of liberation through selflessness. Here, everyone is compromised—no perfect heroes remain.

The Left eats itself

The show also subtly references South Africa’s ANC and Mandela’s complex revolutionary path. Mon Mothma represents cautious reformers, while Vel resembles radicalised figures like Patty Hearst. The show suggests that real change requires destruction of the old self and ideals—highlighting internal conflicts within liberation movements.

The wounded dreamer

In one of Andor’s most powerful moments, Kino Loy’s “I can’t swim” echoes George Orwell’s disillusionment from Homage to Catalonia. Gilroy’s narrative draws from many historical revolutions, but the plight of Palestine is the clearest metaphor. In recent episodes, the show abandons allegory to directly confront the realities of colonialism and freedom—making Andor the most politically conscious Star Wars story to date.