Summary
- The Obi-Wan Kenobi series introduces new perspectives and stories in the Star Wars lore, resonating with many fans despite mixed reception.
- The character Inquisitor Reva, played by Moses Ingram, is complex and stands out from other Inquisitors, with a secret mission to kill Darth Vader.
- Costume designer Suttirat Larlarb cleverly conveys Reva's conflicted duality through subtle details in her armor, symbolizing her divided allegiance.
The Obi-Wan Kenobi series for Disney Plus offered some interesting new looks into areas of Star Wars lore that haven't been explored much in canon before. Despite some fans finding the execution of those perspectives to be less Andor and more The Star Wars Holiday Special, the ideas and stories introduced in the show have still resonated with many, including one particular character.
The Inquisitor Reva, played by Moses Ingram alongside Rupert Friend as the Grand Inquisitor, was a particularly complex character during her time on Obi-Wan Kenobi, and many fans were quick to warm up to her. Despite playing a Star Wars villain, it was immediately clear from the beginning that there was more to her than the rest of the Inquisitors. However, the detail that she secretly joined the Inquisitors to get close enough to kill Darth Vader remained unsaid for most of the series. That can be attributed to Ingram's incredible performance and the show's direction by Deborah Chow. But it turns out that complexity goes a little deeper, though that depth is ironically right on the surface.
In an interview with Variety, Obi-Wan Kenobi costume designer Suttirat Larlarb spoke about the subtle details she included in the outfits of several characters, including the intimidating yet practical armor of Reva. Her character possessed a conflicted duality, and Larlarb wanted to convey that in her physical appearance. "There's a detail on her leather cuirass which is subtle," she explained about the design itself. "[Assistant costume designer] Stacia Lang took a series of sketch lines that I kept drawing over and over down the center front of the armor and developed it into a low and long and sharp 'fin' that looked like a front-facing external spine."
Ingram was forced to deal with racist attacks from people who call themselves Star Wars fans, and her handling of it proved her fortitude even though it should never have happened in the first place. That strength of character also showed through as she took Larlarb and Lang's designs to heart. "Moses latched on to that detail as a reference to her divided but sharpened heart," Larlarb continued. "We also had the imperial symbol bonded onto the reverse of her split cape, tone on tone, which I also saw as another way to express her conflicted allegiance."
Despite uncertainty on whether Obi-Wan Kenobi will get a second season, particularly after its rather lukewarm critical reception, the series still has its fans. Much of that can be attributed to aspects like Reva as a character and Ingram's performance. But the details seen from Larlarb and her team are also a more sneaky aspect that fans may have grown fond of without realizing they were doing so. Good costume design conveys things to the audience in ways they often won't even notice, and that's present here.
Ingram has gotten plenty of solidarity from other Star Wars actors regarding the racist attacks, and fans also rallied around her in support. So it would be great and appreciated by many if she were to return in some way. Here's hoping her character gets the same level of care and attention to detail that Larlarb's crew of designers put in for Obi-Wan Kenobi. She certainly deserves nothing less.
Obi-Wan Kenobi is available to stream on Disney Plus.
Source: Variety