The Acolyte introduced a gnarly new torture method in its first two episodes, which premiered on 4 June at Disney+. The brain parasite, whose name sounds like "dybbuk", could reveal a lot about the Jedi in this time period – especially since it's apparently being used to subdue prisoners.
CONTENT SPOILERS: This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Acolyte, so proceed with caution.
What Was the Parasite in The Acolyte Episode 1?
After Osha was taken prisoner on a transport ship, she witnessed another inmate's apparent agony in the cell next door. He was writhing in pain, but unable to speak, as a parasite-like thing covered his mouth.
Enter the dybbuk. Some fans believe the name is borrowed from a parasitic spirit originating in Jewish folklore, which is said to burrow into a living person's body unless (or until) it is exorcised. However, this correlation has yet to be confirmed by Lucasfilm.
In Star Wars lore, the dybbuk is described as "a parasite used to subdue violent criminals", which The Acolyte captures accurately, seeing as the supposed criminal was suffering quietly in his cell.
The parasite is similar to a slug of some sort and perfectly fits its victim's mouth, squelching on top of their lips. When Osha asked if the dybbuk was hurting him, another inmate explained that the parasite "does weird stuff to your brain."
Osha later tells her fellow inmates she's innocent of the crimes she's been accused of, but plans on sticking it out and hopefully clearing her name, instead of trying to stage an escape.
However, the others are unimpressed that she "would rather leave [her] fate to the Jedi," implying whatever the Jedi have in store for Osha is going to be pretty awful.
If the dybbuk brain parasite is any indication, The Acolyte is about to reveal some dark truths about the Jedi's past.
READ MORE: Did Torbin Really Poison Himself in The Acolyte? Theories and Clues Explored
The Dybbuk Reveals A Dark Side to the Jedi
The Acolyte hints at dybbuk being only one of many forms of torture the Jedi use on their prisoners. Still, "subduing" inmates with a brain-rotting parasite that is probably up there in the top 10.
This revelation suggests not every Jedi is a wise monk. At some point in their evolution, the Jedi might have been more akin to corrupt cops working the system to their advantage and abusing their positions of power.
For fans appaled by The Acolyte's parasite torture method, let us remind you this isn't the first time a brain-scrambling method has been used in a Star Wars movie. In fact, a similar creature to the dybbuk appeared in The Clone Wars season 2.
There, it was a type of Geonosian brain worm that could infiltrate the mind of its host and control their actions. Unlike the dybbuk, though, this is a more drastic method since it doesn't 'subdue' criminals and has to enter through the nose to reach and manipulate the brain.
READ NEXT: The Acolyte Receives Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score
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