Sacha Baron Cohen's comeback film, Ladies First, has been met with a torrent of negative reviews following its Netflix debut on Friday, with critics branding it a 'painfully dated' and 'unfunny' flop. The 54-year-old comedian portrays a misogynistic CEO who suffers a head injury and wakes up in a parallel universe where women hold the power. One reviewer suggested the romcom left viewers wishing they too had been 'knocked unconscious'.
Critical Reception
The Guardian awarded the film a single star, with critic Benjamin Lee lamenting the 'criminal waste of talent' in the cast, which includes Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike, Richard E. Grant, Emily Mortimer, and Fiona Shaw. Lee wrote: 'Rosamund Pike, an actor who gave one of the most scarily indelible performances of the 2010s in David Fincher's Gone Girl, deserving of far, far better than this.' He described the film as 'an excruciatingly unfunny high-concept thought experiment... far too happy with itself and what it's allegedly achieving to be passed off as just some charming throwback.'
The Telegraph's Robbie Collin gave the film two stars, questioning: 'What is Rosamund Pike doing in this stupid comedy?' He added: 'The opening 10 or so minutes are diabolical: absent not merely of laughs, but of jokes full stop.' The Financial Times also awarded two stars, noting that the plot 'feels like something cut from one of the weaker Bridget Jones films – albeit shot in that odd Netflix house style that somehow looks simultaneously expensive and cheap.'
Controversy and Backdrop
Ladies First marks Baron Cohen's first major project since his split from wife Isla Fisher and following allegations from former co-star Rebel Wilson. In her 2024 memoir, Wilson accused the actor of pressuring her into a nude scene during the filming of 2016's Grimsby, claims which Baron Cohen has 'strongly denied'. Wilson's chapter, titled 'Sacha Baron Cohen And Other A**holes', also alleged bullying and inappropriate demands. In response, Baron Cohen's representatives cited 'contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts' contradicting the claims. The contentious section was redacted from the UK edition of Wilson's book.
Shortly after the allegations surfaced, Fisher announced the couple's separation after 14 years of marriage. Wilson and Fisher, once friends after co-starring in 2012's Bachelorette, have not spoken since the allegations. Separately, Wilson is currently embroiled in a defamation lawsuit brought by Charlotte MacInnes, lead actor in Wilson's film The Deb, over social media posts about a sexual misconduct complaint.
Trailer and Public Reaction
The film's trailer, released last month, sparked backlash online, with some viewers accusing it of preaching about 'toxic masculinity' and drawing comparisons to the 2000 film What Women Want. Comments included: 'Could have been cool if they thought seriously about what a matriarchy could have realistically looked like' and 'Genuinely might be the worst trailer I've ever seen.' Others praised the concept as 'universally relatable'.
Despite the star-studded cast, critics remain unimpressed. The Wall Street Journal questioned Baron Cohen's suitability as a romantic lead, while The Hollywood Reporter noted the film 'hits every satirical note you'd expect but provides more knowing chuckles than genuine laughs.' Directed by Thea Sharrock, Ladies First is now streaming on Netflix.
