🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Boots Riley
- Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Satire, Black Comedy
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 52min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (91K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A guy uses a silly voice, gets rich, then finds out his boss is turning people into horse-men, and it’s all downhill from there.
🍿 Sorry to Bother You: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Cassius’s Telemarketing Struggles
Cassius Green, living in an alternate Oakland, faces financial hardship and takes a job at RegalView, a telemarketing firm. Initially, he struggles to make sales, highlighting the challenges of low-wage work. He lives in his uncle’s garage with his girlfriend, Detroit, an artist and activist, emphasizing his precarious situation.

The ‘White Voice’ and Ascent
Cassius learns from a colleague that using a ‘white voice’ significantly improves sales. This satirical element underscores the advantages afforded to certain demographics in corporate environments. As Cassius adopts the ‘white voice’ (dubbed by David Cross), his success skyrockets, leading to a promotion as a ‘Power Caller’.

Moral Compromises and Dystopian Unveiling
Cassius’s elevated position reveals RegalView’s sinister dealings with WorryFree, a company offering lifetime labor contracts in exchange for basic necessities. This exposes a disturbing vision of modern corporate exploitation resembling indentured servitude. He is offered a large sum of money to become an Equisapien and keep the others in line.

The Equisapiens and Rebellion
The film takes a bizarre turn when Cassius discovers WorryFree’s plan to transform workers into ‘Equisapiens’ – half-human, half-horse beings designed for enhanced labor. This reveal amplifies the movie’s critique of dehumanization within capitalist systems. Ultimately Cassius joins the Equisapiens, who are fighting the police, saving him.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Cassius Green (LaKeith Stanfield): A struggling telemarketer who discovers a ‘white voice’ to climb the corporate ladder, facing moral dilemmas along the way.
- Detroit (Tessa Thompson): Cassius’s artistic and politically active girlfriend, representing a strong anti-establishment force.
- Steve Lift (Armie Hammer): The amoral and eccentric CEO of WorryFree, exploiting workers through a sinister Equisapien project.
- Squeeze (Steven Yeun): A RegalView co-worker and union organizer, fighting for better working conditions and worker solidarity.
- Langston (Danny Glover): A veteran telemarketer who advises Cassius to use his ‘white voice’ to succeed.
- Salvador (Jermaine Fowler): A friend and RegalView co-worker who joins the union, representing the working-class struggle.
- Sergio (Terry Crews): Cassius’s uncle who relies on him for financial support.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Langston: “Use your white voice.” – Langston advises Cassius to adopt a ‘white voice’ to succeed as a telemarketer.
- Steve Lift: “The future is automation. WorryFree is the future.” – Lift explains his vision for the future of labor and the role of WorryFree.
- Steve Lift: “Now, what if I told you there was a way to make workers stronger and more compliant?” – Lift reveals the Equisapien plan to Cash, hinting at the disturbing nature of his company’s goals.
- Cassius Green: “Sorry to bother you.” – Cassius says it at the end when leading the Equisapiens to Steve Lift’s door before breaking in.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $3.2M
- Domestic Gross: $17.49M
- Worldwide Gross: $18.17M
💥 Sorry to Bother You Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, wow. I saw this movie knowing nothing, and it completely blew my mind. The whole “white voice” thing was hilarious, but then the plot took a turn I never saw coming! I remember thinking, “Am I really watching this?” when the horse people showed up. It’s definitely not a movie for everyone, but I loved how it made me think about work, race, and just how crazy things can get. Plus, Tessa Thompson’s outfits were AMAZING. I still can’t stop thinking about the ending! I’m in the cult followings.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of satirical comedies”
- “Viewers interested in social commentary”
- “People who appreciate original and bizarre storytelling”
- “Those who enjoy films that challenge societal norms”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language”
- “Drug use”
- “Sexual content”
- “Nudity”
- “Socially sensitive themes”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “Boots Riley’s debut is a wildly original satire that bites the hand that feeds…and then kicks it with a horse hoof. A must-see for those craving something truly different, though its sharp turns might leave some behind.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Sorry to Bother You’ dares to be bold, blending social commentary with absurdist humor. While its reach sometimes exceeds its grasp, the sheer audacity and originality make it a film worth experiencing.
- Rolling Stone: “It’s not every day you see a movie that tackles race, class, and corporate greed with such fearless energy. Sure, it gets messy, but it’s a glorious kind of mess. LaKeith Stanfield is magnetic!
Audience Reactions
The ‘white voice’ concept was hilarious and made the movie instantly quotable.: Viewers loved the film’s unique blend of humor and social commentary, finding it thought-provoking and entertaining.
The sudden plot twists and surreal elements kept audiences engaged and surprised.: Many were impressed by the film’s originality and willingness to take risks, even if the ending was divisive.
Overall Consensus: A highly original and thought-provoking satire, ‘Sorry to Bother You’ is praised for its bold themes and performances, though its unconventional plot and ending may not appeal to all viewers. It’s the film that’s so bad it is good.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Boots Riley, the director, is a rapper and activist, and the film’s themes are heavily influenced by his political views.”
- “The concept of the ‘white voice’ is a satirical commentary on code-switching and the pressures faced by minorities in professional settings.”
- “The film’s surreal visuals and plot twists were intentionally designed to challenge viewers and spark discussions about race, class, and capitalism.”
- “The WorryFree concept is a commentary on the gig economy and modern slavery.”
🖥️ How to Watch Sorry to Bother You?
Sorry to Bother You is available for streaming on various platforms. You can rent or buy the movie on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also available for purchase online and in stores like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Sorry to Bother You, you might like these similar films:
- Office Space (1999): Satirical look at the soul-crushing aspects of corporate office culture and the desire to break free.
- Brazil (1985): Dystopian satire that explores themes of bureaucracy, technology, and the individual’s struggle against an oppressive system.
- Get Out (2017): Explores race and class through a satirical lens.
- They Live (1988): Cult classic that uses a sci-fi premise to critique consumerism and social inequality.
- Parasite (2019): A modern satire about class and capitalism, showing the stark contrast between the wealthy and the impoverished.
🛒 Sorry to Bother You Related Products
- Sorry to Bother You [Blu-ray]: Own the groundbreaking satirical film on Blu-ray and relive the thought-provoking story with stunning visuals and behind-the-scenes content.
- The Coup – Sorry To Bother You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Vinyl]: Experience the film’s electrifying soundtrack on vinyl, featuring original tracks by The Coup and Boots Riley, capturing the movie’s rebellious spirit.
- Tessa Thompson Inspired ‘Detroit’ T-Shirt: Show your love for Detroit’s eclectic style with a T-shirt inspired by Tessa Thompson’s unique fashion sense in the movie. Be a rebel.
- Telemarketing for Dummies: Learn the basics of telemarketing from the book that inspired Cassius Green’s success. Understand the secrets to master the art of sales. Includes bonus chapter on how to do the white voice.
🎧 Soundtrack
Sorry to Bother You features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “OYAHYTT” – performed by The Coup
- “5 Million Ways to Kill a CEO” – performed by The Coup
- “Strange Arithmetic” – performed by The Coup
- “Anitra’s Dance” – performed by Edvard Grieg
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The ‘white voice’ is a satirical representation of code-switching, where a person alters their speech and behavior to fit into a dominant cultural group. In the film, it symbolizes the pressure on Black individuals to adopt White mannerisms for professional success.
WorryFree represents unchecked capitalism and corporate exploitation. It’s a commentary on companies that offer ‘security’ at the cost of workers’ freedom and humanity.
The film explores themes of capitalism, race, exploitation, and the importance of resisting oppressive systems. It encourages viewers to question the ethics of corporate greed and the dehumanization of labor.
🔥 Bonus Content
Man Becomes Ultra Successful By Changing One Thing
Delve into the world of ‘Sorry to Bother You’ with this captivating recap. Uncover the rise and moral struggles of Cash as he navigates the surreal and thought-provoking narrative.
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