Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Innuendo, language, drinking in gender-reverse remake.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ladies First
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Damien Sachs (Sacha Baron Cohen) is a chauvinistic ad man on the verge of getting his dream CEO job before an accident turns his world upside down in LADIES FIRST. He hits his head and passes out, and when he wakes up, he finds gender roles are reversed and women are in charge. That means instead of colleague Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike) being promoted as a nod to gender diversification, she's now his boss, while receptionist Felicity (Fiona Shaw) and cleaning lady Glenda (Kathryn Hunter) are CEO and President of the Board, respectively. Damien finds his old ways won't cut it in this upside world, but an experienced vagabond (Richard E. Grant) tells him if he can demonstrate that he's learned from the experience, he might make his way back to his world.
Is It Any Good?
Even if there's not much here that feels new about age-old gender expectations and discrimination, this remake of a 2018 French comedy is a crowd pleaser. Much of the laughs in Ladies First come from gags involving swapped names (Burger Queen, Victor's Secret, Donna Quixote) and reversed expectations (push-up testicle bras, pec implants, "meninist" men called "testerical"). Baron Cohen and Pike both give relatively nuanced performances in roles that could have felt like walking stereotypes. Their transformations from smarmy jerk and insecure single mom to, respectively, empathetic man and bold boss are surprisingly believable. Grant's character is goofy but potentially unnecessary. The music adds to the fun, from "If You Think I'm Sexy" to "I Feel Like a Woman," and more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Damien learns from his experience in Ladies First. What are some examples of male privilege that you've noticed?
How does Damien's newfound empathy for the opposite gender improve his and others' lives?
What other films have you watched where gender roles are reversed? Do you think the stereotypes here about the behavior of some men (and women) are valid and based in reality, or not? Explain.
This film is a remake of a French movie. Did you see the original? How do they compare? Why do people do remakes?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 22, 2026
- Cast : Sacha Baron Cohen , Rosamund Pike , Fiona Shaw
- Director : Thea Sharrock
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Lesbian Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Activism ( Gender equality ) , Competition , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Siblings , Single Parents ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy
- Run time : 93 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sexual material and language
- Last updated : May 26, 2026
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