Star Wars Fans Decided They Hated ‘The Acolyte’ Before It Even Started

ByHrvoje Milakovic Posted on
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‘The Acolyte’ explores a new chapter in Star Wars history, focusing on a period when the Jedi Order was riddled with corruption and arrogance. This era sets the stage for the rise of the Galactic Empire. Despite featuring some thrilling action scenes, the series has met with severe criticism from parts of the Star Wars community.

Even before the show aired, there was substantial negativity on social media. It seems like we didn’t even give it a chance. Some have labeled the show as ‘woke’ and ‘feminist,’ complaining about aspects such as an episode featuring a group of witches manipulating the Force, despite similar concepts being popular in past Star Wars stories.

Critics also point to the portrayal of the Jedi Order as incompetent, saying it contradicts past storylines, like a statement from ‘The Phantom Menace’ claiming the Sith had been extinct for a millennium. However, by the end of ‘The Acolyte,’ it becomes clear that these elements were misunderstood or taken out of context. The finale reveals that the blame for the chaos was placed on a rogue Jedi, not the Sith, preserving the secrecy around the Sith’s existence.

Leslye Headland, the showrunner, has faced undue criticism, accused of not being a true fan. Yet, she has demonstrated her commitment to the Star Wars universe, even including her own original characters and expressing interest in adapting ‘Knights of the Old Republic.’

Moreover, some fans were upset about the depiction of a Sith Lord, Darth Plagueis, as reclusive and secretive, which fits the typical behavior of Sith Lords in the series. Also, the concept of a Kyber crystal being bled, introduced in 2017, faced renewed scrutiny even though it had been accepted in previous stories.

The main issue seems to stem from the series’ focus on female and diverse characters leading the narrative. This has reignited a cultural battle within the fanbase, reminiscent of the backlash during the sequel trilogy. It’s disheartening to see the same patterns of exclusion and anger directed towards new stories trying to broaden the scope and inclusivity of the Star Wars saga.

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