The Acolyte might not be the misandrist, hyper-leftist propaganda that online trolls are eager to paint it as, but its incorporation of queerness into its sci-fi trappings make the world feel, for the first time in a long time, full of possibilities.

Full Review | Jun 17, 2024

Show-runner Leslye Headland contrived The Acolyte using Star Wars ideas, figures, and lingo to replicate progressive pillars for environmental, social, and governance performance, the corporate bottom line said to prioritize “profit, people, planet.”

Full Review | Jun 14, 2024

In Star Wars: The Acolyte, the High Republic, hitherto unexplored in the cinematic world, arrives to tell its first major story. [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Original Score: A+ | Jun 14, 2024

The sight of a light saber coming to life has become about as thrilling as turning on a table lamp.

Full Review | Jun 11, 2024

The Acolyte is a new era for live-action Star Wars that presents a challenge for audiences to invest in, but this is old school Star Wars: action-packed, full of unique and intriguing characters.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Jun 10, 2024

... a promising, if flawed, entry ...

Full Review | Jun 10, 2024

The show is built upon a genuinely interesting premise. But the stiff and almost mechanical storytelling, the bland and uninspired characters, and the overall lack of cinematic verve weigh the show down.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 10, 2024

Twins, Jedi masters who have lost their faith, padawans who have gone astray, revenge, retribution, murder and a desperate race against time to find the truth combine into a gripping cocktail

Full Review | Jun 9, 2024

Despite trying to do something different, the mediocrity is strong with this one (at least for its first half). [Full Review in Spanish]

Full Review | Jun 7, 2024

The performances overall are more dynamic, the writing more engaging than usual for Disney+, which keeps the series from dragging like its predecessors.

Full Review | Original Score: B | Jun 7, 2024

'The Acolyte' is a deeply bland, relentlessly mediocre 'Star Wars' show that pairs some cool fight scenes with wooden dialogue and a predictable mystery.

Full Review | Jun 7, 2024

As a series built on mysteries – likely another polarizing point – much of its value will come from whether it has satisfying answers. We won't know that until the final episode.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 7, 2024

The new setting and splashy visuals aren’t enough to save this cringe-inducing story.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/4 | Jun 7, 2024

…with a ho-hum cast, an obscure premise, flat performances, banal placeholder dialogue and some shonky, unattractive prosthetics, The Acolyte is yet another discarded toy-line to chuck in Disney’s growing bargain-bin of busted franchise expansions…

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jun 7, 2024

The series has a dynamic story, abundant action, and a passion for adventure.

Full Review | Original Score: 6/10 | Jun 7, 2024

It all seems pretty familiar at this point, but “The Acolyte” provides an adequate amount of action, eye candy and daring do for die-hard “Star Wars” fans.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Jun 7, 2024

The Acolyte has a well-structured story worth following with dramatic payoffs that have at least a bit of depth.

Full Review | Jun 7, 2024

While The Acolyte is mostly able to skirt by given how well its cast sells the emotional context of each scene, the degree of narrative withholding Headland is attempting here threatens to undermine a lot of this otherwise strong character work.

Full Review | Jun 7, 2024

The Acolyte is supposed to be a crime thriller. The problem is there’s no mystery.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/10 | Jun 6, 2024

Star Wars hasn’t felt so pregnant with possibilities since the announcement of the prequel trilogy back in the 1990s. Even if a single show can’t realize all of those possibilities, viewers will find themselves tantalized.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 6, 2024