‘The Acolyte’ Becomes Lowest-Rated Star Wars Project After ‘Review Bombing’ The upcoming Star Wars series “The Acolyte” has become the lowest-rated project in the franchise’s history on IMDb after being targeted by a coordinated effort known as “review bombing.” Review bombing occurs when a large number of negative reviews are posted on a website or review platform within a short period, often in an attempt to manipulate a work’s rating. It is often motivated by factors such as dissatisfaction with the project’s content, casting, or other perceived issues. In the case of “The Acolyte,” some users have expressed disapproval of the series’ casting, particularly the choice of Amandla Stenberg as the lead character. Others have criticized the show’s perceived focus on diversity and inclusion, alleging that it is “woke” or “pandering.” As a result, the series has been bombarded with one-star reviews, causing its IMDb rating to plummet to a disastrous 3.4/10. This rating is significantly lower than any other Star Wars project, including critically panned films like “The Phantom Menace” and “The Last Jedi.” Lucasfilm, the production company behind Star Wars, has condemned the review bombing, calling it “unfair and inaccurate.” Representatives from the company have emphasized that “The Acolyte” is still in production and should be judged on its own merits once it is released. Despite the negative reviews, the series has also received positive feedback from some fans and critics. Many have praised its diverse cast and its exploration of previously unexplored areas of the Star Wars universe. It remains to be seen how the review bombing will affect the reception of “The Acolyte” upon its release. However, it is clear that the practice of review bombing is a damaging one that undermines the integrity of online reviews and potentially harms the prospects of promising projects.Review Bombing Targets Star Wars Series ‘The Acolyte’Review Bombing Targets Star Wars Series ‘The Acolyte’ “The Acolyte,” the latest Star Wars series, has fallen victim to review bombing, resulting in the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score of any show or film in the franchise. With an audience score of 14 percent, the show has even surpassed the critically panned “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2008) and the notorious “Star Wars: Holiday Special” (1978). The show, starring Amandla Stenberg as a Black Force user, has been targeted by trolls who appear to have confused it with the similarly named 2008 horror film “Acolytes.” As a result, the audience score of “Acolytes” has also plummeted to 33 percent. This incident marks the latest in a series of review bombings aimed at progressive content in popular franchises. Over 30 percent of the current series of “Doctor Who” starring Ncuti Gatwa, the first Black actor to portray the Doctor, have received one-star ratings on IMDb. In 2023, the live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” suffered similar attacks, leading IMDb to issue a warning about unusual voting activity and changing its star rating calculation method. Prior to its release, the first female-led Marvel movie “Captain Marvel” was heavily review bombed, leading Rotten Tomatoes to implement a policy preventing audiences from submitting reviews before a film’s release. The phenomenon of review bombing highlights the insidious nature of online trolling and its ability to distort public perception of media content. It is important for audiences to be aware of these tactics and to engage with critical analysis and diverse perspectives when consuming entertainment.Disney+’s “The Acolyte” has become the lowest-rated Star Wars project on the streaming service, with an audience score of only 19% on Rotten Tomatoes. The show has been review bombed by fans who are unhappy with the show’s diverse cast and its portrayal of the Star Wars universe. “The Acolyte” is set 100 years before the events of “The Phantom Menace” and follows the story of a young woman who joins the Jedi Order. The show has been praised by critics for its strong performances, but it has been criticized by fans for its political correctness and its lack of adherence to Star Wars canon. One of the biggest criticisms of the show is its diverse cast. The show features a number of non-white actors in prominent roles, which has led to accusations that Disney is trying to force diversity into Star Wars. Fans have also complained that the show’s portrayal of the Jedi Order is not in line with the established canon. In the wake of the review bombing, Disney has defended the show, saying that it is “proud of the diversity of our cast and crew” and that the show is “a new and exciting chapter in the Star Wars saga.” However, it remains to be seen whether the show will be able to win over fans who are unhappy with its direction.