Rosamund Pike’s New 93-Minute Netflix Movie Is the No. 1 Film in the World Despite Abysmal Reviews

Netflix has a huge library of movies and shows, including both original content and titles they’ve licensed. Although they had some popular releases earlier in the year, they were released sporadically. Now, Netflix is focusing heavily on releasing more original films.

Rosamund Pike’s new comedy drama is now available on Netflix and has quickly become the platform’s most popular movie. It reached the top spot in just one day, according to FlixPatrol.

The song quickly became a global hit, reaching the top spot in 35 countries on its release day and eventually topping charts in 52 countries worldwide. In the United States, it initially entered the charts at number three, and it hasn’t climbed higher than that position yet.

This isn’t the only success Pike is having on streaming charts right now; the psychological thriller is still performing well, though it has dropped to number 10.

What Happens in Ladies First?

This funny and heartwarming story centers on a charming man who suddenly finds himself in a world where women are in charge. He’s challenged by a strong-willed coworker as he navigates this new reality, leading to a witty and playful exploration of reversed roles.

Taking inspiration from the 2018 film I Am Not an Easy Man, Ladies Man flips the script on a privileged and arrogant man. Directed by Thea Sharrock (Wicked Little Letters, The Beautiful Game) and written by Natalie Krinsky, Cinco Paul, and Katie Silberman, the story centers on Damien Sachs, a wealthy and powerful man who appears to have everything he wants, including countless casual relationships.

Just as he’s about to become CEO of a major advertising firm, his life is completely upended when he wakes up in a bizarre alternate reality – one where women are in charge. Used to being the boss, he now finds himself challenged by the confident and powerful Alex Fox. This funny and clever story playfully explores what happens when traditional power dynamics are reversed, as these two rivals go head-to-head in a battle for control.

In addition to Pike, who plays Alex, the movie Ladies Man features Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien, alongside Charles Dance, Emily Mortimer, Tom Davis, Richard E. Grant, and Fiona Shaw.

Why Is Ladies First So Divisive?

With so much talk online dominated by male-focused spaces, Netflix’s new comedy, Ladies First, tries to spark discussion, but hasn’t quite hit the mark. While the idea behind the show is interesting, critics largely panned it, giving it a very low 13% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 15 reviews.

Critics weren’t impressed with Ladies First. Dave Giannini of Loud and Clear Reviews found the comedy unfunny and lacking in progressive ideas, stating the film ultimately fails for everyone. Brian Orndorf from Blu-ray.com called it a missed opportunity, noting it lacked impact despite tackling serious themes of sexism and redemption. Jacob Oller of AV Club criticized the film’s approach to sexism, describing it as simplistic and outdated, reminiscent of tired tropes from 90s self-help books.

In a positive review, Lauren LaMagna from Next Best Picture points out that Ladies First isn’t trying to directly inspire change or present a strong argument about the issue it explores. Instead, the film effectively highlights how absurd the problem is, and LaMagna suggests that recognizing the absurdity is an important first step towards finding a solution.

Viewers generally liked the movie, giving it a decent 65% rating and calling it funny and enjoyable. One reviewer noted, “It’s hilarious to see male critics dislike this film, likely because they can’t connect with the female perspective it portrays, and don’t seem interested in trying.”

Ladies First is streaming on Netflix.

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2026-05-24 22:36