In the film and streaming newsletter from Olhar Digital, available to subscribers of the Olhar Digital club, new materials in the Star Wars universe are discussed. Among the news presented at the D23 event is a trailer for the second season of the series about Ahsoka. For those who want to understand this character's history without extensive searching, a detailed guide has been prepared.
Additionally, this week readers are offered a review of a detective thriller, as well as a selection of new releases from cinemas (with a small spoiler about the movie with Al Pacino) and a list of major releases on streaming platforms.
What You Need to Know About Ahsoka Tano
The second season of Ahsoka will be released on Disney+ on January 20, 2027, which provides enough time to familiarize yourself with the Star Wars character if you do not know her. The author of the material presents Ahsoka Tano's biography without revealing major plot twists.
Created by George Lucas and Dave Filoni, Ahsoka Tano is an alien of the Togruta species. She appeared in the Lucas universe in 2008 in the film Star Wars: The Clone Wars. At the beginning of her journey, she becomes Anakin Skywalker's apprentice, and her maturity and sense of responsibility are tested in Episodes II (Attack of the Clones) and III (Revenge of the Sith).
During the Clone Wars, Ahsoka goes from being an impulsive teenager to a strategic military commander. However, she becomes the victim of a false accusation—the attack on the Jedi Temple. Although her innocence is eventually confirmed, the lack of faith and bureaucratic approach of the Jedi Council cause Ahsoka to lose trust in the Order, leading her to decide to leave the Jedi Order.
After surviving Order 66 (the genocide ordered by Palpatine that nearly destroyed the Jedi), Ahsoka hides from public view while the Galactic Empire strengthens. But she does not remain inactive. Years later, Ahsoka reappears in the Star Wars Rebels series under the codename Fulcrum, helping to organize the first cells that would later become the Rebel Alliance in Episode IV (A New Hope).
Up to this point, Ahsoka was a character in the animated part of the Star Wars universe. She transitions to live-action, being played by Rosario Dawson in the second season of the series 'The Mandalorian,' released in 2020. In the New Republic era (years after the defeat of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, shown in Episode VI, Return of the Jedi), she hunts residual threats of the Empire, including Grand Admiral Thrawn.
What to Watch So You Don't Get Lost in Ahsoka's Second Season
Below are the key storylines necessary to understand Ahsoka Tano's history, trauma, and motivation:
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Film): Introduces the character and shows the beginning of her relationship with Anakin Skywalker.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Series): Season 5, Episodes 17–20. This arc focuses on the trial that leads Ahsoka to decide to leave the Jedi Order, which is one of the most important moments in her life.
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Series): Season 7, Episodes 9–12. This depicts the siege of Mandalore and Order 66, showing how Ahsoka experiences the fall of the Republic and the Jedi genocide.
- Star Wars Rebels (Series): Season 2, Episodes 21 and 22. These episodes show Ahsoka's confrontation with Darth Vader.
- Star Wars Rebels (Series): Season 4, Episodes 13–16. These series show the 'World Between Worlds,' as well as the disappearance of Ezra Bridger and Thrawn (which is a premise for the live-action story focused on the character).
- The Mandalorian (Series): Season 2, Episode 5. This is Ahsoka's debut in live-action Star Wars and the first mention of the search for Admiral Thrawn.
- Ahsoka (Series): First season entirely. It is recommended to watch the first season before watching the second.
More about series
If you like detective thrillers, you should check out the series 'Rage.' The series from Hulu tells the story of FBI agent Alice Black (Emmy Rossum), who investigates a series of murders committed by Catherine (Lola Petitcur). Wealthy and influential men are the victims. Interestingly, the killer's identity is not a mystery to the viewers; the elegance lies in the cat-and-mouse game between two women and the ambiguity that arises when Alice begins to understand the motives behind the crimes. The production also uses the investigation to discuss trauma, violence against women, and different ways of achieving justice—an approach praised by publications such as RogerEbert.com and The Guardian. The author has already watched the first four episodes and is satisfied; six of the eight episodes are available on Disney+, with the last two releasing on August 24 and 31.
Major Movie Premieres
Hostage on a Thread
This thriller is based on a 1977 incident and tells the story of a bankrupt individual who invades a mortgage lending company and takes the company president hostage. To demand 5 million US dollars and public apologies, he sets a trap: a shotgun attached to the victim's neck that automatically fires if the kidnapper is shot by the police. The situation paralyzed the city of Indianapolis and ultimately turned the criminal into a popular figure of the time. The film, directed by Gus Van Sant (Psycho), stars Bill Skarsgård, Al Pacino, Colman Domingo, and Derek Montgomery.
Supernatural: Among Us Now
A new chapter in the famous horror franchise tells the story of Gemma (Amelia Eve), who moves to her old childhood home with her daughter. Peace in the new house is disturbed when she discovers the ability to travel to the world of the dead and bring entities into the real world. The situation is exacerbated by the invasion of criminals into the neighborhood. This forces the family to simultaneously confront human and supernatural threats.
Just For One Night
In a slightly futuristic New York, extramarital affairs are forbidden but allowed only for one night a year. It is in the midst of this chaos that Owen (Callum Turner) and Ellie (Monica Barbaro) accidentally meet. Unlike most residents of the city, they are looking for true romance. The problem is that a series of chance encounters on the city streets persistently separates the couple throughout the night. The romantic comedy is directed by Will Gluck (Everything But You).
Also Recently Released...
Signatures — a new DC series with Jon Stewart and Hal Jordan investigating a murder that reveals a conspiracy capable of threatening the planet; available on HBO Max.
Blind Marriage: UK — the third season gathers new participants in the search for relationships that can withstand dates, cohabitation, and pressure up to the altar; available on Netflix.
Fall: The Boeing Case Aftermath — a documentary resumes the investigation into Boeing with new findings following the death of informant John Barnett; available on Netflix.
Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends — the fifth season brings new episodes where Spider-Man's Team confronts threats with the help of allies such as Rocket, Groot, and Silk; available on Disney+.
Those Who Are About to Die — a series set in Ancient Rome, it tells the story of the struggle for power in the Flavian dynasty amidst races, bets, and gladiatorial combats; available on Prime Video.
Outer Banks — the fifth and final season puts the Pogues in front of new threats as they try to get revenge on JJ and find freedom; available on Netflix.
Novak Djokovic: Wolf in Winter — a documentary accompanies the tennis player in his return to the Australian Open in 2025 and explores his motivation to continue competing; available on Prime Video.
Galera F.C. — the second season shows how Elton Jr. tries to rebuild his football career, facing a lawsuit with his former club and a financial crisis; available on HBO Max.
Obsessed in the Desert — a film set in Arizona in 1849, it tells the story of faith and survival amidst plague, violence, and rumors of a cursed child; available on HBO Max.
La Captura — a Mexican film about two police officers who have to survive the last hours of their shift after crossing paths with a cartel boss; available on Netflix.
What to expect on streaming next week?
Alien: Chapter 3 — the new franchise film tells of survivors pursued by masked killers, while surfacing secrets put their lives at risk; coming to Prime Video next Saturday.
Mickey 17 — a science fiction film about a disposable worker who is cloned every time he dies during a space colonization mission until the 17th version finds a copy of himself; coming to Netflix next Sunday.
Margaret, May Your Legend Be Worth It — the third season of the soap opera tells of Margaret, Fahad, and Andres confronting new threats in search of the truth about their parents; premiering on HBO Max next Monday.
The Simpsons: Homer's Parallel Reality — a special episode of The Simpsons shows Homer facing a revelation about reality, while an AI tablet befriends Maggie and begins to control her; coming to Disney+ next Wednesday.
Does Your Mother Know? — a reality show gathers nine mothers who bet money to prove who knows their children better; coming to Netflix next Wednesday.
Wild World — a documentary series follows four animal families fighting for territory and survival in the same scenario over five years; coming to HBO Max next Thursday.
Beauty in Black — the third season places Kimmy at the center of a family struggle as she joins forces with Mallory to fight blackmail, revenge, and the secrets of the Bellari family; coming to Netflix next Thursday.
Miss You, Love — a dramatic comedy about a widow who develops unexpected relationships with her son's personal assistant while preparing for her husband's funeral; coming to HBO Max next Friday.
Betty, Not Pretty: The Story Continues — the third season shows Betty trying to reconnect with her teenage daughter while her marriage to Armando is in crisis; coming to Prime Video next Friday.
The Whispering Man — a thriller about a widow who seeks help from her father, a retired detective, after her son disappears; coming to Netflix next Friday.