Is ‘The Acolyte’ a Hit or Miss? Let’s Talk Numbers and Backlash

ByHrvoje Milakovic Posted on
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Netflix started a revolution in how we watch TV, making it hard to tell what counts as a hit on streaming platforms. Metrics are kept under wraps, so rivals don’t get the scoop. Now, we’re left wondering if “The Acolyte,” the latest Star Wars show by Leslye Headland, can be called a success.

Star Wars has always been a big deal in pop culture, but it’s not without its controversies. “The Acolyte” is stirring up debates, especially after a targeted review-bombing online. Websites like Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic saw a flood of negative reviews. With over 25,000 reviews, the show’s audience score hit a low 14%. This volume of reviews is unusual, much higher than what “The Mandalorian” or even the first season of “Game of Thrones” received. It seems many of these reviews might not even be real, raising doubts about their authenticity.

Leslye Headland faced criticism for calling the show the ‘gayest Star Wars show ever,’ a comment she later said was a clumsy reply to a question. Some people are really upset over minor details, like the age of Jedi Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, which seems a bit extreme.

So, how do we figure out if “The Acolyte” is actually doing well? We can’t trust Rotten Tomatoes, so we look at viewership numbers. Nielsen, known for reliable data, gives us a glimpse. Here’s how “The Acolyte” stacks up against other Star Wars shows on Disney+:

  • The Mandalorian Season 2: 1,032 million minutes
  • The Mandalorian Season 3: 823 million minutes
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi: 513 million minutes
  • Ahsoka: 414.5 million minutes
  • The Book of Boba Fett: 389 million minutes
  • The Acolyte: 244 million minutes
  • Andor: 208 million minutes

“The Acolyte” is doing better than “Andor,” but it’s not pulling numbers like “The Mandalorian” or “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” These shows had big names and legacies backing them. “The Acolyte” doesn’t have that same hook, but that doesn’t mean it’s a flop. Lucasfilm thinks it’s doing fine enough; they went ahead with “Andor” Season 2 even with lower figures.

In the end, we can see “The Acolyte” is holding its own. It might not be the next big blockbuster in the Star Wars saga, but it’s definitely catching some attention. Despite the backlash, it seems to be doing okay.

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