Parents' Guide to

The Acolyte

By Marty Brown, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Star Wars murder mystery has violence, some language.

TV Disney+ Action 2024
The Acolyte TV show poster: a mysterious cloaked figure stands on a peninsula

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

compassion, <a href=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/"/articles/how-can-i-use-media-to-teach-my-kid-integrity">integrity, and <a href=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/"/articles/how-can-i-use-media-to-teach-my-kid-teamwork">teamwork.

">
Russian Doll</em></a>). Though actors are cast in non-stereotypical roles, the characters' identities -- whether racial identities, gender identities, or otherwise -- do not come up as part of the story (outside of species and if someone is or isn't a Jedi).</p> ">

Community Reviews

age 15+

Based on 6 parent reviews

age 18+

Contains self-harm, nudity and sexual inuendo. Not appropriate for children.

This show is not suitable for children or teens. This show contains an on-screen depiction of suicide by consumption of poison. The writers/directors of the second episode, have shown utter disregard for this franchises target audience by having so carelessly handled such a serious topic, brushing the incident aside in the episode itself as the characters therein hardly appear to care and the plot makes little effort to address the repercussions of such a serious topic. Multiple stabbings and beheadings in later episodes and a graphic on-screen neck snapping resulting in death also contribute to this show not being suitable. Undeveloped characterization and overall poor writing and scripting do not lend to conveying any great messages nor does this show portray the Jedi as good role models. A male character is unnecessarily sexualised appearing shirtless in an early episode for no reason at all while in a later episode a naked male fully exposes himself from the waist down to an onlooking female.
age 13+

Good but not for easily scared

Common sense Media obviously hasn’t seen episode five. Brutal murders including neck snapping Unsettling villain Graphic violence

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (6 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The Star Wars universe's greatest strength is its ability to jump from genre to genre while remaining true to the heart of the original film. The Acolyte is a murder mystery that draws inspiration from martial arts films (Jedis fight without lightsabers!), but also expands Star Wars' mythology by interrogating some of its most basic assumptions. First and foremost: Who gets to be a Jedi and who doesn't? Using an admirably diverse cast and creative team, The Acolyte is unafraid to characterize the Jedis' faults, from gatekeeping to complacency, fitting those themes to the investigative nature of the murder mystery genre with uniquely satisfying force.

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate