In a bizarre twist of events, Star Wars fans have inadvertently targeted a 2008 movie called Acolytes while attempting to review bomb the new Disney+ series, The Acolyte. This mix-up has led to a surge of negative reviews for the unrelated film on Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb, highlighting the chaotic nature of online fandoms.
As of now, The Acolyte holds an 84% “Certified Fresh” rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the audience score is a stark contrast at 16%, a figure that seems unusually low for a series that has generally received positive feedback. This discrepancy is largely attributed to a wave of review-bombing, a tactic where users flood review sites with negative ratings to skew the perception of a show or movie.
The primary reason behind this review-bombing appears to be the show’s diverse, predominantly female-led cast. While some viewers genuinely dislike the series, the sheer volume of negative reviews suggests a coordinated effort rather than organic criticism. The most glaring evidence of this is the confusion among some Star Wars fans who have mistakenly targeted the 2008 film Acolytes, thinking it was The Acolyte.
This error was first reported by SFFGazette.com and has since been confirmed by various social media posts. The third episode of The Acolyte, which introduced new elements to the Star Wars lore and featured LGBTQ+ characters, seems to have intensified the backlash. This has led to an increase in fake reviews, further muddying the waters.
In our review of The Acolyte’s first four episodes, we praised the series for its unique take on the Star Wars universe, its impressive cast, and its compelling storyline. We noted, “Star Wars like you’ve never seen it before, The Acolyte soars thanks to its impressive cast, compelling setting, and a mystery which will keep you coming back for more. Now, we just need to hope the series sticks the landing.”
Rotten Tomatoes has previously taken steps to combat review-bombing by requiring users to verify ticket purchases before posting reviews. However, implementing such measures for a TV show is more challenging, leaving the platform vulnerable to manipulation.
Jordan Maison, a notable figure in the Star Wars community, highlighted the absurdity of the situation on Twitter. He pointed out that many of the negative reviews were mistakenly directed at the 2008 film Acolytes, which stars Joel Edgerton, known for his role as Owen Lars in the Star Wars franchise. This film now has an audience score of 33%, a significant drop likely caused by the confusion.
Maison also noted that some trolls have targeted a 2022 fan film titled The Acolyte: A Star Wars Fan Film on IMDb. This fan-made project, created by dedicated Star Wars enthusiasts, has seen its rating plummet to 1.5 stars out of 10, further illustrating the chaotic nature of the review-bombing campaign.
The backlash against The Acolyte reflects a broader issue within the Star Wars fandom, where some fans resist any deviation from their perceived norms. This resistance often manifests as hostility towards new characters, storylines, or creative directions that don’t align with their expectations.
Leslye Headland, the creator and showrunner of The Acolyte, has emphasized that the series aims to explore new facets of the Star Wars universe. Despite the backlash, she remains committed to her vision, hoping that viewers will eventually appreciate the show’s unique approach.
The controversy surrounding The Acolyte is reminiscent of the reaction to Amazon’s The Rings of Power, where some Tolkien fans were outraged by the adaptation of the appendices. While the first season received mixed reviews, it was far from the disaster some critics claimed. The production quality was high, and many viewers enjoyed the new stories and characters.
The ongoing review-bombing campaign against The Acolyte underscores the toxic side of fandoms, where a vocal minority can overshadow genuine appreciation and constructive criticism. As online platforms grapple with how to handle such campaigns, it’s clear that the current system is far from perfect.
In the end, the true measure of The Acolyte’s success will be its ability to engage and entertain its audience. Despite the noise generated by review-bombers, the series has the potential to carve out its own space within the Star Wars universe, offering fans a fresh and exciting perspective.
As the first three episodes of The Acolyte continue to stream on Disney+, viewers are encouraged to form their own opinions and engage with the series on its own merits. Whether the show ultimately succeeds or fails, it will be remembered as a bold attempt to expand the Star Wars narrative in new and unexpected ways.
