New Star Wars series The Acolyte is receiving mixed reviews from critics and viewers. The story follows an investigation into a shocking crime spree that pits a respected Jedi Master against a dangerous warrior from his past. As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems.
The critics are raving. Rotten Tomatoes reports a freshness rating of 93% as of June 6th, with publications like The Guardian praising the show’s fresh start for both creators and audiences. They acknowledge the story might feel familiar at first, but assure viewers that director Leslye Headland has some “sneaky rug-pulls” planned, making The Acolyte a series worth sticking with.
Observer also praised the show, stating: “Set hundreds of years before the events of the Star Wars saga we know best, this show gets to tell its own story—making it better than most of the series Disney Plus has pumped out.”
However, general viewers seem less enthused. The “popcorn index” of the audience sits at a meager 29%, even lower than the score for The Mandalorian Season 3 (51%), which held the previous record for the lowest-rated live-action Star Wars series. Similarly, the IMDB rating reflects a mixed reception with a score of 4.8 out of 10.
Adding fuel to the fire, Lee Jung Jae‘s casting has unfortunately attracted racist comments from some fans The trailer released back in March was met with hateful remarks like “Someone is killing Jedi. It’s Disney,” which garnered a disturbingly high number of likes.
Director Headland herself addressed the controversy head-on in a recent New York Times interview. While expressing empathy for true Star Wars fans, she made a clear distinction: “I stand by my empathy for Star Wars fans. But I want to be clear. Anyone who engages in bigotry, racism or hate speech … I don’t consider a fan.”
>> Lee Jung Jae’s Star Wars Debut in ‘The Acolyte’ Divides Fans: Excitement vs. Concerns
Here are some audience reactions after the show’s premiere:
I genuinely plan to make a video review of the Acolyte, but my current problem is that the first two episodes don't deserve a review.
There's nothing impressive about them.
There's nothing excruciating about them.
They're boring.
They're bland.
The acting is amateur.
None… pic.twitter.com/CVZzJPfVhx— Lex Ludendi (@Lex_Ludendi) June 6, 2024
My quick honest review for the acolyte 👇
Can’t wait for more of this show! #TheAcolyte pic.twitter.com/Byr9IcRE2e
— Will of The Force – Will Diamond (@Will_ofTheForce) June 6, 2024
It genuinely hurts my heart so much to see The Acolyte being review bombed by people who haven’t even tried watching it. They are all just living in an echo chamber of hate 😣
— 🥀 𝕄𝕒𝕕𝕕𝕪 𝕊𝕥𝕠𝕟𝕖 🪦 (@TheDreadStone) June 6, 2024
