Directed by Thea Sharrock.
Ladies First was released on 22 May 2026.
Distributed by Netflix.
Ladies First (2026) Movie Review
Ladies First (2026) is a fun comedy with an interesting idea.
The story follows Damien Sachs, a successful advertising executive who suddenly wakes up in a world where women hold most of the power.
As he struggles to adapt, he begins to understand the challenges women face every day.
Sacha Baron Cohen delivers plenty of laughs, while Rosamund Pike gives a strong and confident performance.
The movie mixes humor with social commentary, making viewers think about equality and fairness.
While some jokes feel repetitive, the film remains entertaining, easy to watch, and filled with memorable moments from its talented cast.
CR Rating: 6/10.
Ladies First Actors
Sacha Baron Cohen as Damien Sachs
DOB: October 13, 1971.
Bio: English actor, comedian, writer, and producer born in Hammersmith, London, England.
A graduate of Christ’s College, Cambridge, he became internationally famous for creating satirical characters such as Ali G, Borat Sagdiyev, Brüno Gehard, and Admiral General Aladeen.
Role: Damien Sachs is a successful, arrogant advertising executive whose life revolves around power, privilege, and casual relationships.
As he prepares to become CEO of a major advertising agency, he suddenly wakes up in a parallel world where women hold the dominant social and professional positions.
Interesting facts: Cohen is one of the few performers to receive Academy Award nominations for both acting and screenwriting.
Notable Works: Borat, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, Brüno, Luca.
Rosamund Pike as Alex Fox
DOB: January 27, 1979.
Bio: English actress and producer born in Hammersmith, London, England.
A graduate of Wadham College, Oxford, she first gained international attention as Miranda Frost in the James Bond film Die Another Day.
Role: Alex Fox is Damien Sachs’ professional rival and eventual counterpart in the film’s gender-reversed world.
In the matriarchal society where Damien suddenly finds himself, Alex occupies a position of authority and influence, becoming the powerful executive whom Damien must confront.
Interesting facts: Pike has a strong reputation for portraying morally complex women, and that screen image makes her a sharp fit for a role built around reversal and control.
Notable Works: Gone Girl, Pride & Prejudice, Die Another Day, I Care a Lot, The Wheel of Time, Saltburn.
Richard E. Grant as Pigeon Man
DOB: May 5, 1957.
Bio: Swazi-English actor and presenter whose career spans cult comedy, prestige drama, and sharp supporting turns.
He launched to fame with Withnail and I and later earned major awards attention for Can You Ever Forgive Me?.
Role: Pigeon Man is an eccentric figure whom Damien encounters during his journey through the film’s gender-reversed world.
He appears to function as one of the unusual personalities who challenge Damien’s assumptions and help propel his transformation.
Interesting facts: Grant published the bestselling memoir A Pocketful of Happiness and has directed films, written books, and hosted documentary programs.
Notable Works: Withnail and I, Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Gosford Park, Saltburn, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Emily Mortimer as Sunny Black
DOB: October 6, 1971.
Bio: English actress, screenwriter, and director born in London, England.
The daughter of noted barrister and writer John Mortimer, she studied at the University of Oxford before launching a successful acting career in film, television, and theater.
Role: Sunny Black is Damien’s sister, and she functions as a grounded, practical voice in the story.
In the alternate timeline, she becomes one of the people nudging him toward self-awareness.
Interesting facts: Mortimer co-created and starred in the comedy series Doll & Em with her longtime friend Dolly Wells.
Notable Works: The Newsroom, Mary Poppins Returns, Match Point, Lars and the Real Girl, Doll & Em, The Pursuit of Love.
Charles Dance as Fred Powell
DOB: October 10, 1946.
Bio: A veteran English actor with a long stage and screen career, especially in authoritative or intimidating roles.
He trained with the Royal Shakespeare Company and later became one of the most recognizable British character actors of his generation.
Role: Fred Powell is part of the film’s executive and workplace power structure.
Dance’s presence gives the role a polished, imposing edge that fits the movie’s corporate satire.
Interesting facts: Dance originally pursued graphic design before turning to acting professionally.
Notable Works: Game of Thrones, The Crown, The Jewel in the Crown, The Imitation Game, Mank.
Fiona Shaw as Felicity Chase
DOB: July 10, 1958.
Bio: Irish actress with deep roots in stage performance, especially through the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.
She is also one of the most respected screen performers working in Britain and Ireland.
Role: Felicity Chase starts as a receptionist with years of experience and later rises in the alternate timeline.
Her arc underlines the movie’s power-swap idea, showing how status changes when the rules change.
Interesting facts: Shaw has won multiple Olivier Awards and has been a standout in both prestige drama and franchise work.
Notable Works: Killing Eve, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Andor, True Blood, The Avengers.
Tom Davis as Chris Black
DOB: April 27, 1979.
Bio: English actor, comedian, writer, and producer born in London, England.
Before entering entertainment, he worked a variety of jobs, including as a scaffolder, laborer, and market trader.
Role: Chris Black is tied into Damien’s work and home life, helping shape the everyday world that gets turned upside down by the film’s reversal premise.
Interesting facts: Davis co-created Murder in Successville and King Gary, and he also co-hosts the Wolf & Owl podcast.
Notable Works: Murder in Successville, King Gary, Paddington 2, Wonka, The Curse.
Weruche Opia as Ruby
DOB: April 11, 1987.
Bio: Nigerian actress and entrepreneur who has become one of the most visible Nigerian-born screen talents working in British television.
She also founded Jesus Junkie Clothing and studied at the University of the West of England in Bristol.
Role: Ruby is Damien’s secretary, and the role places her close to the film’s workplace tensions and social comedy.
In a reversal story, a character like Ruby can quietly expose how power really works.
Interesting facts: Opia earned major acclaim and a BAFTA nomination for I May Destroy You, which raised her profile well beyond comedy and supporting roles.
Notable Works: I May Destroy You, Bad Education, High Desert, Slumberland, The Jetty, Iwájú.
Kathryn Hunter as Glenda Cartwright
DOB: April 9, 1957.
Bio: British actress known for her extraordinary physical range, stage power, and unsettling screen presence.
She has had acclaimed work in theatre and film, and her performance in The Tragedy of Macbeth drew major awards attention.
Role: Glenda Cartwright is one of the film’s sharper supporting presences, the kind of character who can add texture, pressure, and oddity to the alternate-world setup.
Interesting facts: Hunter married actor and Complicité co-founder Marcello Magni in 2011, and she remains especially admired for roles that demand bold physicality.
Notable Works: The Tragedy of Macbeth, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Andor, All or Nothing, Tale of Tales.
Kadiff Kirwan as Austin
DOB: February 3, 1989.
Bio: British actor and writer born in Plymouth, Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean.
Following the eruption of the Soufrière Hills volcano in the 1990s, he relocated to the United Kingdom with his family
Role: Austin fits the film’s corporate and social circle, adding another layer to the workplace ecosystem around Damien and Alex.
Interesting facts: Kirwan moved from Montserrat to the UK after the Soufrière Hills eruption and has spoken openly about how acting helped him find his voice.
Notable Works: Chewing Gum, Slow Horses, The Stranger, This Way Up, My Policeman, Black Mirror.
More Actors
• Bill Paterson as Louis.
• Paul Chahidi as Harry.
• Jordan Metcalfe as Marlon.
• Red Tennant as Charlie.
FAQ – Ladies First (2026) Movie
What is Ladies First (2026) about?
It is a comedy about a man who wakes up in a parallel world where women hold the main power, forcing him to experience reversed gender roles.
Is Ladies First based on another film?
Yes, it is loosely based on the French film I Am Not an Easy Man (2018), which also uses a gender-role reversal storyline.
What genre is Ladies First?
It is a satirical comedy with social commentary about gender roles and power dynamics.
What is the runtime of the movie?
The film runs for about 1 hour 33 minutes, making it a fairly short watch.
Where can I watch Ladies First (2026)?
It is available for streaming on Netflix after its release.
Conclusion
Ladies First (2026) is an entertaining comedy with a strong cast and a clever gender-swap idea.
It delivers humor and social commentary in equal measure, even if some parts feel repetitive.
Overall, it’s a light but thoughtful watch that keeps its message clear about equality and perspective.