Netflix‘s new R-rated fantasy remake of a notable French movie isn’t receiving much positive attention.
The comedic American remake of a 2018 French romantic comedy has debuted to a staggeringly low 18% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Netflix’s original movies sometimes include stories that are inspired by other works. Films ranging from the sci-fi adventure The Electric State to the mystery drama Remarkably Bright Creatures are adaptations that existed in other mediums prior to their onscreen debuts. However, there are additional sources for some films, including other movies being the main source of inspiration.
Such is the case with Ladies First. Based on the 2018 French movie I Am Not An Easy Man, Netflix’s first-ever French-language film, Ladies First follows male supremacist Damien Sachs (Sacha Baron Cohen), a misogynist who is suddenly transported to a world where social dynamics between men and women are flipped. This causes him to butt heads with Alex Fox (Rosamund Pike), the female version of himself in this world, leading to a comedic conflict centered around social ideas between men and women.
Despite the intrigue such a premise concocts, the movie itself hasn’t made much of a splash. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Ladies First holds an 18% debut score with critics on the site, calculated based on its first 11 reviews. As of writing, this remains the film’s current score, with first impressions from critics being overwhelmingly negative. This is an unfortunate contrast to I Am Not An Easy Man, which managed to score a much higher 71% from audiences and multiple positive critic reviews upon its release.
According to critic reviews for Ladies First, the movie fails to use any subtle or insightful commentary to convey its message about gender roles, instead utilizing repetitive elements that do not resonate. The storyline is considered by many to be uninspired, with the film feeling more like a series of comedic ideas jumbled together rather than a cohesive project. This is coupled with a storyline whose focus contradicts many of the positive messages the movie superficially promotes about men and women in society.
However, there is praise for Baron Cohen and Pike’s performances in the film, as the duo, alongside numerous other actors, clearly do their best with the given script. The movie was directed by Thea Sharrock with a screenplay from Natalie Krinsky, Cinco Paul, and Katie Silberman. Although the film presented a surface-level idea that could have laid the groundwork for a meaningful exploration of sexism, it instead squanders this opportunity, which critics identify as one of its biggest drawbacks.
It’s unclear what this performance means for Ladies First and its success on Netflix. The movie’s star power could still make it an appealing choice for weekend viewing, but there’s no guarantee audiences will respond positively. The critics’ score is an unfortunate development for the film, which has drawn criticism due to how its premise is executed.
