Critics Love The Acolyte but Audiences Hate It

Critics and audiences have been enemies since the dawn of time, but the consensus on the latest Star Wars series on Disney+ has made the gap in opinion quite apparent.

The Acolyte has landed itself a certified fresh rating of 92% from 105 critic reviews, but audiences have kicked it to the curb, giving it a meagre 27%.

The new series from Leslye Headland stars Amandla Stenberg , Dafne Keen and Jodie Turner-Smith and follows

An investigation into a shocking crime spree 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…

Episodes one and two debuted on Disney+ on June 4, and new episodes will premiere weekly.

Lili Loofbourow of the Washington Post says The Acolyte "refreshes the franchise", with Joy Press from Vanity Fair saying the show sets out on "a unique path that is immensely watchable".

The overall consensus matched Press and Loofbourow's enthusiasm, but not every critic was so keen.

Rob Owen of the Seattle Times called the show "slow, with too many dull exposition pitstops", and USA Today said it's "full of logical fallacies, hokey dialogue and nonsensical plots".

Check out a selection of reviews below, and read our episodes one and two review .

Star Wars: The Acolyte Review Roundup

• Decider: By looking backwards to the waning days of the Jedi Order, Leslye Headland has pushed the franchise further into the future than ever before.
• Collider: The Acolyte is undoubtedly one of the most exciting shows on Disney+ this year and one of the best Star Wars projects since 2022.
• Variety: In giving itself permission to poke at Star Wars mythology, The Acolyte cultivates the same sense of curiosity it exhibits about its own universe.
• New York Times: Beneath the familiar trappings, the visceral pull that Star Wars can summon in its best moments doesn't manifest itself. Characters speak in platitudes about loss, grief, loyalty and revenge, and the cast mostly works down to the level of the dialogue.
• Screen Rant: With an enticing mystery, great fight scenes, strong production, and a solid cast, The Acolyte episodes 1 and 2 provide dark, promising foundations.