Ladies First

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2:25

Ladies First

R

2026

1h 33m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

26%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

Damien Sachs (Sacha Baron Cohen) seemingly has it all: money, power, and a never ending stream of casual flings. As he prepares to ascend to the role of CEO at a leading advertising agency, his life is turned upside down when he wakes up in his worst nightmare: a parallel world dominated by women. Where he once ruled the boardroom, he now finds himself humbled and going head-to-head with the newly fierce and fearless Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike). With the rules of engagement changed and Alex at the top of her game, the two boldly battle it out in a playful and satirical comedy about what happens when the script is flipped.

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Critics Consensus

A subversion of gender roles that feels outdated upon arrival, Ladies First's topsy-turvy fantasy is too cloying to wring many laughs from the battle of the sexes.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

May 29

The destination of “Ladies First” might as well be on tracks. But Ms. Pike is terrific, as are Ms. Shaw, Mr. Dance and Mr. Baron Cohen, an agile comedian in a production that isn’t particularly taxing.

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Amber Dowling

Globe and Mail

May 26

Director Thea Sharrock presents a somewhat predictable but entirely cathartic take on what it really would look like if women ran the world, and it is fine companion viewing for Eléonore Pourriat’s French film I Am Not an Easy Man, on which it’s based.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

May 26

2/5

The gender politics, much like the French original, are bonkers and alarmingly retro.

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Charles Koplinski

Reel Talk with Chuck and Pam

Jul 7

3/4

The issue of gender inequality gets a Dickensian twist in Thea Sharrock’s "Ladies First," a clever, timely satire that turns the workplace dynamic on its head.

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Erik Childress

Movie Madness Podcast

Jun 18

1/4

If the film was retro-fit back to the 1960s, the dynamics may have rung truer but it still wouldn’t have been funny. Suggesting that it is radical for men to be relegated to cooking duty in 2026 you can almost hear Danny Trejo say 'Guys can do stuff now.'

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Maxance Vincent

Film Speak

Jun 13

D

While Ladies First boasts a fun cast, the movie’s morals are even more dated and regressive than its French-language 2018 original.

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Trinity S

@Yininos 1d

This was hilarious! Unfortunately several traumatic references experienced over 25 years at multiple Fortune 100 companies. Great spin from a different and once honest perspective. Sincerely enjoyed!

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Katerina H

@RT20988876 2d

Yes, it's been done before. BUT this films focus on world building- transforming every signpost, statue, ad, food wrapper, and book- is unmatched. What is the best over any other gender swap film was the change in the duty of care. It captures how people are with each other when no one is watching. RATE THIS FILM HIGHER. Too many male reviewers are downplaying this film. They need a visit from the pigeon man.

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BarnabyJ T

@RT04754087 3d

Incredible piece of cinema, well written, great cinematography, and an excellent plot. Sasha portrayed the catalyst for social commentary exceptionally well, we hated him at first, as, from an audience perspective we could resonate with the protagonist, Alex Fox. However, when the roles were reversed it really showed the change in perspective when the males were treated the same as the females at the start, it shows that if a man can truly empathise with a female experience they can understand it and adapt their behaviour having seen its negative impact. We were really hoping for a happy ending and they definitely delivered, overall an all round excellent movie. Having read some of the negative reviews it seems a lot of the men did not understand the true meaning of the movie and did not appreciate its message.

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Phil D

@phildub 3d

Well worth a watch. I struggled with the first part of the movie. Basically until he started trying to accept the situation & do something. Up until then it was unfunny sex trope city. And that should have been the easiest to get laughs. Sacha Baron Cohen & Rosamund Pike were fantastic. Lots of other great cast members.

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Kay H

@RT49612463 3d

Love this movie and they hit it right on the head

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Nigel Ann R

@RT20038791 4d

Not my fave - I skipped most of the parts in the movie but I like portrayed message.

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Thea Sharrock

Director

Sacha Baron Cohen

Actor

Rosamund Pike

Actor

Charles Dance

Actor

Emily Mortimer

Actor

Tom Davis

Actor

Ladies First: Trailer 1

2:25

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Synopsis

Damien Sachs (Sacha Baron Cohen) seemingly has it all: money, power, and a never ending stream of casual flings. As he prepares to ascend to the role of CEO at a leading advertising agency, his life is turned upside down when he wakes up in his worst nightmare: a parallel world dominated by women. Where he once ruled the boardroom, he now finds himself humbled and going head-to-head with the newly fierce and fearless Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike). With the rules of engagement changed and Alex at the top of her game, the two boldly battle it out in a playful and satirical comedy about what happens when the script is flipped.

Director: Thea Sharrock
Producer: Liza Chasin, Eleonore Dailly, Edouard de Lachomette
Screenwriter: Natalie Krinsky, Cinco Paul, Katie Silberman
Distributor: Netflix
Production Co: 3dot productions
Rating: R (Sexual Material and Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): May 22, 2026
Runtime: 1h 33m