Disney’s recent Star Wars venture, “The Acolyte,” has hit rock bottom in ratings, marking a significant low in the franchise’s illustrious history. The show has been met with an overwhelmingly negative response from the loyal Star Wars fanbase, raising questions about Disney’s direction since acquiring the rights in 2012.
According to Rotten Tomatoes, “The Acolyte” has a stark contrast between critic and audience scores. While critics have given it a commendable 85% rating, the audience score stands at a shocking 26%, based on over 5,000 reviews. This disparity underscores a growing divide between media critics and the viewing public, particularly among Star Wars enthusiasts.
A Forbes report further highlighted the dire situation by ranking Star Wars entries based on audience and critic scores. “The Acolyte” came in second to last, only outperforming the infamous “Holiday Special.” Here’s a snapshot of some franchise ratings:
– The Empire Strikes Back: 97% audience, 95% critics
– A New Hope: 96% audience, 93% critics
– The Last Jedi: 41% audience, 91% critics
– The Acolyte: 33% audience, 93% critics
– The Holiday Special: 20% audience, 25% critics
The stark audience score for “The Acolyte” points to a broader dissatisfaction with Disney’s approach to the Star Wars universe. The show’s creator, Leslye Headland, and lead actress, Amanda Stenberg, have openly discussed the show’s progressive themes, with Headland even joking that “The Acolyte” is the “gayest Star Wars yet.” This has only fueled criticism from fans who feel the franchise is being used to push a “woke” agenda rather than staying true to its roots.
Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly has been vocal about Disney’s recent financial missteps, attributing them to the company’s insistence on integrating progressive themes into its content. She highlighted the poor performances of recent Disney releases like “Lightyear” and “The Little Mermaid,” both criticized for their overt attempts at inclusivity.
“People are not buying this content. They don’t want this content,” Kelly stated. She pointed out that many companies are now realizing that “wokeness” doesn’t equate to a successful business model. This sentiment is echoed by the recent layoffs of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) positions across various corporations.
Charlie Kirk, a guest on Kelly’s podcast, suggested that the streaming industry is heading for a significant correction due to the poor quality of content. “The amount of money that the streaming wars generated or just that they plowed into crappy content, Megan, it’s like 99% of it is garbage,” he remarked.
Disney’s financial woes are not limited to “The Acolyte.” The company has reportedly faced nearly $900 million in losses from its recent theatrical releases. This financial strain, coupled with audience backlash, paints a grim picture for Disney’s future endeavors if they continue down this path.
In conclusion, “The Acolyte” serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when a beloved franchise is steered away from its core fanbase. Disney’s focus on progressive themes has not resonated with the traditional Star Wars audience, leading to some of the worst ratings in the franchise’s history. As fans and commentators alike call for a return to form, it remains to be seen if Disney will heed the warnings or continue to push its current agenda.
