The Acolyte (TV series): Difference between revisions

On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]] The Acolyte received an audience approval rating of only 18% which is far from the 78% of critics who gave the series a positive review. During production and marketing, the series received criticism from some online commentors for being "[[woke]]".<ref name="TrailerResponsesSR" /> Specific issues included its initial description as being "female-centric";<ref name="HeadlandNov2020" /> the casting of Stenberg, who is [[Non-binary gender|non-binary]] and uses both [[she/her]] and [[they/them]] pronouns;<ref name="StenbergPronouns" /> the overall prominence of women and [[people of color]];<ref name="NYTMay2024" /> and the idea that Headland, who is openly queer and also the first woman to create a ''Star Wars'' series,<ref name="NYTMay2024" /><ref name="HeadlandQueer" /> was pushing an "[[Gay agenda|LGBTQ+ agenda]]".<ref name="HeadlandControversies" /> The series was called "The Wokelyte" by some commentors.<ref name="NYTMay2024" /><ref name="StenbergGQ" /> In May 2024, Kennedy spoke out against personal attacks directed at Headland, primarily by male ''Star Wars'' fans.<ref name="NYTMay2024" /> Headland said she did not want to exclude male fans and hoped they liked the series.<ref name="HeadlandNov2020" /> She empathized with those disappointed by recent entries in the franchise, but rejected complaints related to "bigotry, racism or hate speech".<ref name="NYTMay2024" /> Stenberg said racist responses to her casting had a negative impact on her and people close to her,<ref name="StenbergGQ" /> and she later released a song titled "Discourse" that criticized the intolerance she had faced regarding the series.<ref name="StenbergSong" />

Whip Media reported ahead of the series' premiere, based on the users of its TV Time app, that ''The Acolyte'' was the most anticipated new series of June 2024.<ref name="TVTimeAnticipated" /> Following the release of the first two episodes, the series received negative audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and [[IMDb]]. In addition to complaints about being woke,<ref name="SeriesCanceledTHR" /><ref name="ReviewBombForbes" /> audience complaints about the first three episodes focused on the less positive portrayal of the Jedi and on the creation of Mae and Osha through the Force. These concerns were dismissed by commentators at the time: the series' portrayal of the Jedi was seen as continuing a trend from previous franchise entries such as the prequel trilogy; and the creation of the twins was yet to be fully explained by the series.<ref name="SRBreakCanon" /> The appearance of Ki-Adi-Mundi received complaints for contradicting the character's age in non-canon projects. Editors on the ''Star Wars'' [[wiki]] [[Wookieepedia]] received death threats for updating the site to reflect his role in ''The Acolyte''.<ref name="KiAdiMundiAge" />

Following the release of the first-season finale, an online campaign advocating for a second season gained traction. Thousands of social media posts were made using the hashtag "#RenewTheAcolyte", and included positive comments about different elements of the series.<ref name="RenewTheAcolyteCB" /><ref name="RenewTheAcolyteSR" /> Dirk Libbey at ''[[CinemaBlend]]'' said this was proof that the review bombing did not reflect the views of the entire audience and he was happy to see ''The Acolyte'' go viral for a positive reason following all of the negativity it had faced.<ref name="RenewTheAcolyteCinemaBlend" /> Following the series' cancellation in August 2024, ''Variety'' discussed how ''The Acolyte'' had experienced "wildly opposing reception from fans". Some fans and critics enjoyed how the series challenged previous perceptions of the Jedi through the choices of Master Sol, while other fans felt ''The Acolyte'' was antithetical to ''Star Wars''{{'}}s good vs. evil themes and disliked how the series expanded upon the Force mythology.<ref name="SeriesCanceledVariety" /> ''Deadline Hollywood'' said the series was "divisive" amongst fans.<ref name="SeriesCanceledDeadline" /> Stenberg was not surprised by the cancellation because of the cast receiving a "rampage of... hyper-conservative bigotry and vitriol, prejudice, hatred and hateful language" since the series was announced.<ref name="StenbergCancellationResponse" /> Multiple publications found Jacinto's the Stranger to be a standout character among fans of the series,<ref name="SeriesCanceledTHR" /><ref name="SeriesCanceledVariety" /> and noted that some fans had been excited for where the series could go in a second season following the "tantalizing" story points and characters teased at the end of the first season.<ref name="SeriesCanceledTHR" /><ref name="SeriesCanceledVariety" /><ref name="SeriesCanceledGizmodo" /> Fans launched several social movements to try reverse the cancellation, with the hashtag "#SaveTheAcolyte" trending on [[Twitter|X]],<ref name="SaveTheAcolyte" /> and a [[Change.org]] petition accumulating more than 50,000 signatures by August 27.<ref name="ChangePetition" /> Others have pointed out though that despite "#SaveTheAcolye" trending briefly, to amass only 50,000 signatures is not nearly enough momentum in when compared to the $230.1 million dollar price tag. A well known advocate for the show, Mike Redmond, comments "To be clear, the show had low viewership and cost a butt-ton of money. I absolutely get the business decision behind pulling the plug." <ref name="MikeRedmond" />