Sorry to Bother You
Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You

2018Movie112 minEnglish

In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, black telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success – which propels him into a macabre universe.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic80/100
Google Users88%
Director: Boots RileyGenres: Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Drama

Plot Summary

In an alternate reality of Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success: adopting a white "voice." As his career skyrockets, he finds himself entangled in a morally dubious corporate conspiracy, forcing him to confront the true cost of assimilation and the exploitation of the working class. His choices impact his relationships and his understanding of himself and the world around him.

Critical Reception

Sorry to Bother You was met with widespread critical acclaim, praised for its originality, biting satire, and unique blend of genres. Critics lauded its bold social commentary on race, capitalism, and corporate exploitation, while audiences were captivated by its surreal and unpredictable narrative. The film solidified Boots Riley's reputation as a distinctive directorial voice.

What Reviewers Say

  • A wildly original and thought-provoking satire with a powerful message.
  • Boots Riley's directorial debut is a bizarre yet brilliant commentary on race, class, and capitalism.
  • The film masterfully blends humor, surrealism, and urgent social critique.

Google audience: Google users largely praised the film's creativity, sharp social commentary, and unique, boundary-pushing storytelling. Many appreciated its humor and the way it tackled complex issues like race and economic inequality. Some viewers found the film's surreal elements and plot twists to be intentionally jarring, contributing to its memorable impact.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Grand Special Prize at the Deauville American Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival's Next Innovator Award. Nominated for Best Screenplay at the Independent Spirit Awards.

Fun Fact

The distinctive "white voice" that Cassius adopts was voiced by David Cross, a white actor, a choice that director Boots Riley made deliberately to comment on racial dynamics and performance.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
BoostJuice

BoostJuice

This film is about the way capitalism corrupts people & society in pursuit of unsustainable growth that inherently comes from exploiting the lower class. It uses a lot of absurdist & dark humor, both to reflect the absurd reality in which w...
Stephen Campbell

Stephen Campbell

**_A sharp satire that runs a little too long and takes a bizarre left-turn that will alienate many_** > _In my view, corporations are illegitimate institutions of tyrannical power, with intellectual roots not unlike those of fascism and...
Gimly

Gimly

Such a great level of surrealism. I love when the setting is completely believeable, normal people, who could easily be from our world, but their's is totally weird. One criticism I will give is the imperfections in the dubbing, normally no...
Jedi Burrell

Jedi Burrell

_Sorry To Bother You is “unapollogetic”, “unafraid”, “imaginative”._ These are the reviews of audiences, and critics; it’s hard to find someone that didn’t like this movie (unless you’re going to burrow through the Rotten Tomatoes audien...