Netflix viewers are flocking to the streamer's latest film despite scathing reviews, propelling it past the popular documentary The Crash in the UK charts. The true-crime documentary, which examined the case of Mackenzie Shirilla, had held the top spot for several weeks. However, the comedy Ladies First, released at the end of last week, has surged to claim the number one position. As of now, it is the most-watched film among UK-based subscribers.
Ladies First is an English-language remake of the 2018 French romantic comedy Je ne suis pas un homme facile (I Am Not An Easy Man). The original was written and directed by Éléonore Pourriat, while the remake is directed by Thea Sharrock, known for directing episodes of Call the Midwife and the film Wicked Letters.
According to the synopsis, the story follows Damien Sachs (played by Sacha Baron Cohen), a man who seemingly has it all: money, power, and a stream of casual flings. As he prepares to become CEO of a leading advertising agency, his life is turned upside down when he wakes up in a parallel world dominated by women. He finds himself humbled and competing against the fierce Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike). The two engage in a playful, satirical battle about gender roles and power dynamics.
Despite its popularity, critical reception has been harsh. The film holds a dismal 18% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Many critics have compared it unfavorably to 1990s comedies like What Women Want. One critic called it "a comedy sketch premise stretched to feature length," adding that the team should have focused on a coherent story rather than gender-flipped jokes. Another reviewer described it as "a painfully dated and embarrassingly star-packed sexism comedy."
Viewer opinions are similarly divided. One fan dubbed the film "absolute trash," while another wrote on social media: "Is Ladies First the worst thing ever produced in the UK and Netflix? Took a good idea, a great British cast, and made it unwatchable." However, some viewers have praised it. One commented: "If you can make it through the first half-hour, which was pretty excruciating, it's very, very funny. There are many laugh-out-loud moments and unexpected shock comedy twists." Another fan posted: "This movie has the magic of Bend It Like Beckham and the best of those late '90s rom-coms. It's funny, charming, heartfelt, and actually saying something underneath it all. I was genuinely surprised by how refreshing it felt."
Ladies First is currently streaming on Netflix.
