Sacha Baron Cohen’s new comedy divides opinion: “‘Borat’ but make it feminism?”

The comedy follows a male chauvinist transported to a world where women are in power

Sacha Baron Cohen’s new film, Ladies First, has released its first trailer to a mixed reception on social media.

The former Borat star plays a chauvinist who finds himself transported to a parallel world where the power dynamics between men and women are reversed. The comedy also stars Rosamund Pike and has been met with a mixture of responses on X (formerly Twitter).

Many were positive, with one fan writing: “Borat but make it feminism? the intersection is intersectioning… nah fr sign me up.” Others added: “He’s so hilarious” and “Can’t wait to see it unfold.”

Others were less impressed in what was viewed as a trite concept. “Not even surprised about Sacha being in this but who the hell told Rosamund & Fiona [Shaw] that this is a great idea” wrote one use, while others noted the similarities between this and other films.

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“The Two Ronnies did this like 50 years ago,” one post pointed out, referencing the 1980 film The Worm That Turned, which featured a similar concept. Another advised: “Just rewatch What Women Want. Easy,” referring to the 2000 Mel Gibson movie where a man with outdated views is suddenly able to hear what the women in his life are thinking.

Ladies First will arrive on Netflix on May 22, and will be the actor’s first starring role in a movie since 2020 sequel Borat Subsequent Moviefilm. On the small screen, he recently played the villain Mephisto in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series Ironheart.

Last year, Cohen’s former wife, Isla Fisher, opened up about the couple’s divorce in 2024. She told The Sunday Times: “It’s the most difficult thing that I’ve been through and I’ve learnt so much about myself in the process. I never imagined my family being separated but we are committed and loving parents.”