🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Seth Gordon
- Genre: Comedy, Crime
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 38min
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10 (477K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Three guys, terrible bosses, murder plot ensues, chaos reigns, lessons learned (maybe), and Jennifer Aniston plays a dentist like you’ve never seen before… or maybe you have, no judgment.
🍿 Horrible Bosses: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Miserable Grind
Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) slaves away for a promotion he’s consistently denied by his sadistic boss, Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey). Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) enjoys his job until his cocaine-addled boss, Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell), inherits the company after his father’s death and begins running it into the ground. Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) is sexually harassed daily by Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston), a dentist he works for, and is desperate to escape her advances.

Desperate Measures
The three friends meet regularly to vent about their awful bosses and dream of a life free from their torment. One drunken night, they jokingly consider the idea of killing their bosses. Initially dismissed as a fantasy, the idea gains traction as they realize their bosses are the sole obstacles to their happiness and career advancement.

The ‘Perfect’ Plan
Inspired by a movie, the trio hatches a convoluted plan to kill each other’s bosses, making it appear as though they are not connected and avoiding suspicion. They seek advice from Dean ‘Motherfucker’ Jones (Jamie Foxx), who claims to be a ‘murder consultant’ but is actually just a former convict with no experience in actual murder.

Chaos Ensues
The plan quickly unravels due to their incompetence and lack of experience. They make a series of comical mistakes, leading to near-misses, accidental injuries, and escalating chaos. Their attempts to commit the murders are consistently thwarted by their own ineptitude and the unpredictable behavior of their targets.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman): Nick is an ambitious and hardworking employee who is constantly tormented and blackmailed by his sadistic boss.
- Dale Arbus (Charlie Day): Dale is a dental assistant who is sexually harassed by his boss, creating immense stress and discomfort.
- Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis): Kurt is initially happy with his job until his new boss threatens to ruin the company and its employees.
- Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey): Dave Harken is Nick’s cruel and manipulative boss, who constantly blackmails and torments him to maintain control.
- Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston): Dr. Julia Harris is Dale’s sexually aggressive and inappropriate boss, creating a hostile work environment.
- Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell): Bobby Pellit is Kurt’s drug-addicted and insensitive boss who aims to destroy his father’s company.
- Dean ‘Motherf****r’ Jones (Jamie Foxx): Motherf****r Jones is a con artist who poses as a murder consultant, offering dubious advice to the three friends.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Dale: “I’m a sex addict. I can’t control myself around women.” – Dale says this in a support group, trying to establish a reason why his boss is sexually harassing him, while his friends look on in disbelief.
- Motherf****r Jones: “I’m not a contract killer, I’m a murder consultant.” – Motherf****r Jones clarifies his role after the trio approaches him for help.
- Dave Harken: “I am gonna make you work so hard, you are gonna wish you had eight arms so you can have four to jerk off and four to type on the computer!” – Harken threatens Nick, highlighting his cruel and overbearing management style.
- Dr. Julia Harris: “You know, a BJ a day keeps the marriage counselor away.” – Dr. Harris says this to Dale, demonstrating her aggressive and inappropriate behavior.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $35,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $117,538,559
- Worldwide Gross: $209,838,559
💥 Horrible Bosses Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, ‘Horrible Bosses’ is my kind of movie. I laughed so hard my sides hurt, and I’m not even kidding. Jennifer Aniston as a super-aggressive dentist? Genius casting! The scenes with Charlie Day dealing with her advances are pure comedic gold. The whole ‘let’s murder our bosses’ plot is ridiculous, but that’s what makes it so fun. It’s a great movie to watch with friends and just completely switch off your brain. I loved it!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers who appreciate ensemble casts with strong comedic chemistry”
- “Anyone who has experienced workplace frustration”
- “Adults looking for a laugh”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Strong language throughout”
- “Sexual content and harassment”
- “Drug use”
- “Violence and attempted murder”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Horrible Bosses succeeds on the strength of its talented cast and a willingness to embrace dark, edgy humor. The comedic timing of Bateman, Day and Sudeikis is spot-on, and the performances of Spacey, Aniston, and Farrell are deliciously wicked.
- Entertainment Weekly: “The movie gets its biggest laughs from its sheer audacity and the willingness of its stars to go to truly awful places. Aniston’s sexually aggressive dentist is a highlight, proving she can be hilarious playing against type.
- Rolling Stone: “It’s a blast to watch Kevin Spacey turn up the volume on the slime, Jennifer Aniston shed her good-girl image, and Colin Farrell go gloriously bald and bad. But it’s Bateman, Day, and Sudeikis who give the film its comic heart.
Audience Reactions
Jennifer Aniston’s performance as Dr. Harris was surprisingly hilarious and wildly different from her usual roles.: Most viewers agreed that the comedic chemistry between Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis was the highlight of the film, creating a memorable ensemble.
Kevin Spacey’s portrayal of a truly awful and manipulative boss was both terrifying and funny.: Audiences praised the film’s willingness to push boundaries with its dark humor, finding it refreshing compared to typical comedies.
Overall Consensus: A raunchy and darkly funny comedy with a talented cast, making it a crowd-pleasing escape despite some predictable plot elements.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Colin Farrell significantly contributed to his character’s look, including the comb-over and prosthetic stomach.”
- “Several actors were considered for roles, including Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, and Ashton Kutcher.”
🖥️ How to Watch Horrible Bosses?
Horrible Bosses is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video (for rent or purchase), Apple TV (for rent or purchase), and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options as well. Keep an eye out for deals on Blu-ray and DVD for a physical copy.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Horrible Bosses, you might like these similar films:
- Office Space (1999): Deals with workplace frustrations and fantasies of revenge against terrible bosses.
- Throw Momma from the Train (1987): Features a darkly comedic plot about two people contemplating swapping murders.
- Game Night (2018): A group of friends find themselves entangled in a real-life criminal conspiracy during their game night.
- The War of the Roses (1989): A dark comedy about a couple’s increasingly bitter divorce escalating into outrageous acts of revenge.
🛒 Horrible Bosses Related Products
- Horrible Bosses (Blu-ray): Own the hilarious R-rated comedy on Blu-ray. Includes deleted scenes, gag reel, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. A must-have for any comedy collector.
- Horrible Bosses – Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original Horrible Bosses movie poster. Perfect for decorating your home theater, office, or workspace, a fun reminder of the film’s dark humor.
- “I Hate My Job” Funny Coffee Mug: A ceramic coffee mug that expresses your distaste for work! Makes a great conversation starter! Dishwasher and microwave safe.
- Horrible Bosses: The Board Game: Based on the hit movie, navigate the perils of your workplace, collect the resources needed, and maybe even get rid of your boss…
🎧 Soundtrack
Horrible Bosses features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While there has been talk of a third Horrible Bosses film, as of the latest information, there are no confirmed plans for its production. The cast and crew have expressed interest in the past, but no official announcements have been made.
Horrible Bosses was primarily filmed in Los Angeles, California. Specific locations included various office buildings and neighborhoods around the city.
Horrible Bosses is rated R for strong sexual content, pervasive language, and drug use. It is definitely not appropriate for children or younger teenagers. The film contains mature themes and graphic language.
🔥 Bonus Content
It Does Sound Racist! | Horrible Bosses 2 | Keegan-Michael Key | Jason Bateman
Get ready for a laugh riot as Keegan-Michael Key and Jason Bateman engage in a hilariously awkward conversation that will leave you in stitches. Don’t miss this side-splitting clip from Horrible Bosses 2!
Horrible Bosses (2011) Bloopers Outtakes Gag Reel
Join the cast of Horrible Bosses for a hilarious behind-the-scenes adventure! This blooper reel is packed with outtakes, gags, and funny moments that will make you appreciate the movie even more.
My Pitch for the Next Horrible Bosses Sequel
Calling all Horrible Bosses fans! This clever video takes you on a wild ride as the creator pitches their hilarious ideas for a potential sequel. Get ready for a laugh-out-loud take on what might lie ahead for our favorite dysfunctional trio.
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