Sorry to Bother You (2018)

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In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, black telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success - which propels him into a macabre universe. (imdb)

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Directed By: Boots Riley

Written By: Boots Riley

Starring: Danny Glover, Forest Whitaker, David Cross, Terry Crews, Tessa Thompson, Armie Hammer, Lakeith Stanfield, Robert Longstreet, Lily James, Omari Hardwick, Jermaine Fowler, Michael X. Sommers

Genres: Comedy, Sci-fi, Fantasy

Country: USA

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Sorry to Bother You belongs to 33 collections

1. Certified weird (collaborative: moderated by Dreamer - 47 stars)

2. Full Female Frontal Nudity (Yes, Bush!) (collaborative: moderated by iceblox - 26 stars)

3. Directorial debut (collaborative: moderated by djross - 16 stars)

4. Films available in HD (collaborative: moderated by kubricksucks - 13 stars)

5. Best by different standards (public: sesito71 - 6 stars)

6. Union (collaborative: moderated by djross - 5 stars)

7. Top 3000 movies with the most votes on IMDb (public: fanfic - 5 stars)

8. San Francisco (collaborative: moderated by Zarkon - 4 stars)

9. American racial politics (collaborative: moderated by djross - 4 stars)

10. edkrak films to see (public: edkrak - 4 stars)

11. The Next Picture Show Podcast (collaborative: moderated by trippingly - 2 stars)

12. Sundance 2018 (collaborative: moderated by neurophate - 2 stars)

13. Festival: PIX 2018 (collaborative: moderated by KasperL - 2 stars)

14. Films that most frequently use the word "fuck" (collaborative: moderated by elhenzo - 1 star)

15. Netflix Sverige (collaborative: moderated by Jakobostgren - 1 star)

16. 2018: Complete Watchlist (public: SageSledge - 1 star)

17. Watch with friends (collaborative: moderated by itsben)

18. Films Watched in 2019 (collaborative: moderated by Malcym)

19. Anticapitalist Themes (collaborative: moderated by Roman_Herbom)

20. Annapurna Pictures (collaborative: moderated by elhenzo)

21. movies you havent seen but RUB enjoyed (collaborative: moderated by mega RUB)

22. Surreal weirdness (collaborative: moderated by sam quentin)

23. Films I saw in the cinema (public: Malcym)

24. My Movie Collection (public: elhenzo)

25. seen in 2018 (public: sproost)

26. Black Men Can't Jump in Hollywood Podcast (public: TychoCelchuu)

27. The Best of 2018 (public: SageSledge)

28. digital (public: ribcage)

29. Top 10 2010s (public: juntakinte99)

30. 20 21st (public: juntakinte99)

31. Top 100 (public: juntakinte99)

32. Cahiers du Cinéma - 70 films -70 ans (public: Thegoodboy)

33. Massive Plot Twist (public: hassanjwr6)

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All Ratings | With Reviews

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TCI | Percentile | Date Rated | # Stars (Reviews)

Stars	User	Rating
17	juntakinte99	100 _97th
I already dislike that this movie is going to be compared to Get Out & Spike Lee's early work. It's more than a story on "race relations" (which only comprise a few scenes). Tonally, it reminded me more of Mike Judge's Office Space (the opening), Idiocracy (the fantastical and sci-fi tones), or a more fun Brazil. There are some great & timely discussions on humanity, the value of work, and how to use and abuse power. But it's also funny as hell. Especially Armie Hammer. Highly recommended.
11	Mentaculus	81 _75th
Not so much strikes a nerve, but cuts open a jugular. With a freewheeling narrative nihilism, this is a testament to the power of everyday performance - performances of blackness, whiteness, class, artist, worker, lover, consumer - asking ultimately, with all the little concessions we make for the sake of social survival, where is the line when we give up the right to ourselves? In a world this fucked up, perhaps authenticity is the ultimate protest. And this is certainly an authentic vision.
9	Luna6ix	80 _74th
"Sorry to Bother You" is a special kind of crazy that, while seeming effortless, pulls you into down deeper and deeper into it's vortex of insanity, all the while keeping a strange cogency to the story. It's definitely a fun romp and if Riley even delves further down the rabbit hole next time, I wouldn't mind at all.
9	Leonardis	90 _65th
This was truly insane. It Touches on topics like capitalism, morality, power, corruption, the economy, and work, so I would stay away from this movie if you're not in the mood for something about those topics. Either way, you have no idea what you're in for. The story is funny, but it surprises you in ways you won't expect (no, seriously). I found it to be very original and well acted and directed. For sure one of the best movies of 2018, and an excellent showcase for Riley and Stanfield.
9	eCitizen	85 _88th
Surprisingly engaging and entertaining. Lakeith Stanfield gave a great performance and was easy to identify with. The overall story is way over the top, showing some extreme portrayals of modern social problems. Very effective in its absurdity. Great music and production quality. Awesome cast. The ending went to crazy town but was quite humorous. I look forward to more work from Boots Riley. It was occasionally quite funny and well worth watching.
8	BillyShears	80 _77th
Gimme more weird shit like this again Hollywood. I’m so white lol.
8	Ocelot	80 _89th
a very funny film, particularly in its first half, but perhaps too overstuffed with ideas for its own good. the schizophrenic nature of the story leads to awkward pacing that makes the movie feel a lot longer than it should, with it sort of stumbling to a conclusion that feels impossible to make satisfying, as it's a movie that asks questions for which it has no answers -- not that anyone else does. it is, however, representative of what more movies should aspire to be. recommended.
8	natebarrios	75 _74th
get ready for people to start quoting "have a cola and smile, bitch." Sharp absurdist satire for America, by way of Sion Sono. Nothing can prepare you for what Boots Riley has contained in this breakneck debut. And that's a good thing.
8	ericambler	80 _77th
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU is a messy and passionate allegorical freak-out. The strong central metaphor about the absurdity and inhumanity of capitalist conformity sees the film through its shakier bits, which start to pile up in the third act. It's almost impossible for a movie like this to resolve itself neatly--it's meant to raise questions, not answer them, and its greatest virtues are its authenticity and its unbridled sense of creative freedom.
8	Paxton	76 _81st
This is about a (subvert expectations) that gets a job working as a (subvert expectations) before uncovering a (subvert expectations) that ultimately leads to (subvert expectations). I enjoyed it thoroughly.
6	Filligan	99 _98th
Well, this might just be flawless on every twisted side of it. It's been long, far too long, since I've seen a film so infused with feverish passion and energy, and bouncing with fun ideas, non-sequiturs that build character, while being so relevant and hysterical. I had tears streaming down my face from laughter. This film was a rollercoaster and I couldn't stop screaming, and every time I think about it, I just want to scream at others to hop on with me. Do not pass this one up, folks.
6	twincinema	80 _75th
I am glad such a strange film could get a theatrical release.
6	ribcage	78 _73rd
Having never directed a movie before, Sorry to Bother You is amazing for how meticulous and vibrant it is. It's like Riley figured he'd never made a film before, maybe he wouldn't again, so he better get it right the first time -- and include as much as he wanted to say via themes, images, sound, plot, characters in it as he could AND to mesh all of that together in an entertaining fashion. The movie's a shock and an experience
6	loc42	70 _56th
Unexpectedly successful in resuscitating the spirit of B-type political movies of 70's, which with the influence of 3rd Cinema, were able to narrate aesthetically fresh, energetic yet sloppy stories. Alongside its Gondry-esque dreamy scenes (there is an allusion to Gondry in the video scene), it promotes a realist political agenda and eschews a praise of hipsterized aesthetic pseudo-slacktivism. Would have liked it more, if it was wilder and grotesque in its imagination, but not bad as it is.
6	Goldbluming	94 _93rd
"@saladinahmed Jul 20 So I finally saw SORRY TO BOTHER YOU and wow. It's like if IDIOCRACY had smarter politics and went on a date with GET OUT where they smoked a blunt and watched John Carpenter movie on VHS. Just excellent. Huge thumbs up, @BootsRiley."
5	cowfrappe	78 _83rd
Truly insane but incredibly entertaining and so well-crafted and cast.
5	Alex Watkins	4 _70th
It's undeniably the work of a first-time filmmaker, packed as it is with ideas that are often obvious, underdeveloped or downright silly - but it's also the work of a filmmaker with a clear and unique voice well worth listening to. And the talent Riley enlists across the board only helps to make his message that much more enjoyable.
5	sellis	80 _59th
The first half is great - establishes a unique tone and narrative logic, rich with theme and witty visual ideas. The jokes land pretty consistently throughout, and Stanfield is perfectly cast as the lead, torn between the promise of prosperity and maintaining a sense of morality. However, after the midpoint reveal, the script loses its irreverent focus and settles for easy thematic solutions as opposed to truly digging deeper. However, I appreciate the subversive Gondry-esque style. Very funny.
5	omgfridge	5 _43rd
There was elements I liked but was otherwise disappointed. Finale did not work for me at all and I felt myself feeling more and more isolated as the film kept running.
5	mwgerb	68 _83rd
As funny as it is biting as it is insane. Considering the levels of absurdism it reaches, it has a relatively simple message of organizing labor in the face of exploitative corporations. However, this message is repeated three times, each with a more abusive company plan, and more hilariously ridiculous twist. A stunning and uncompromisingly bold directorial debut from Boots Riley.
5	axleblaze	80 _46th
Silly and kind of a huge mess (especially the last act) but so full of ideas and good intentions that it's hard to really dislike.
5	Hofschneider	78 _57th
Finally, the African-American experience is exhibited on the big screen. Get Out opened the door and other artists are stepping through it. It seem the problem sometimes is, that you wanna get back into the game with one swing. Therefore things get messy. I think Boots Riley has a lot to say and once he finds the calmness and confidence to not deal with every angle at once he will be another intriguing voice of this new American Cinema. This movie is first and foremost a promise.
5	bof	88 _95th
You know, I was just wondering what a 21st century US remake of Brazil would look like, and Boots Riley delivers. OK, maybe it's not quite that, it's a little too topical and a little too angry to be Brazil, but that just means it gets to be itself, and I love what it is. Riley gives himself freedom to go brilliantly nuts on the narrative without ever losing the target, and it is glorious.
4	Actionberg	60 _28th
Bursting with ideas but kind of a weak movie.
4	Zarkon	83 _64th
Enjoyed the overall tone and kinetic direction in this film along with Stanfield's acting, but I really disliked the last act. There's a part where the protagonist goes on television, and it would have been a great place to end the movie on a poignant note, reminiscent of Howard Beale's treatment at the end of Network. Instead it drags on for several more scenes, straightforwardly resolving loose ends in ways that really didn't need to be spelled out.
4	bizort	91 _95th
Really heavyhanded but just an incredibly entertaining story and film
4	easydiff	96 _98th
Bonkers, fierce and endlessly creative and confident.
4	Anomaly	79 _72nd
Stuffed with an infectious creative energy that propels everything along, though the whimsy gets a bit too much in the last act. I get the feeling that Boots Riley just wanted a story to hang a bunch of craziness and hilarious reveals off of, and that's okay, especially with satire this on-point. Lakeith Stanfield kills it in the main role, and David Cross truly is the best White Voice ever.
4	Koalafish	75 _83rd
Interesting (and mostly succesful) attempt to combine bizarre surrealism with a serious agenda. I didn't like all of it, but some parts are genius.
4	psim	82 _82nd
A very wild ride that probably tries to do one or two too many things at once, but overall is still a very fun experience that goes places you don't expect.
4	FrederikA	60 _49th
Juvenile political satire and scattershot horseplay that gets by mostly on charm and style.
4	DavidBlast	35 _20th
Remember all those terrible movies that were made because kids saw 'Pulp Fiction'? I think we're starting to see the fallout from 'Get Out' winning that Oscar...
4	d_drudges	95 _98th
The most daringly anti-capitalist film in a good while. Touches on a wide variety of social issues while still being funny as hell. I loved the oft-repeated myth of anybody (goes for the sociopath at the top as well) being better off without unions getting a thorough bashing. It would have been nice to hear more of The Coup's music, but I can understand the want to keep the projects separate and its probably for the better.
4	jthusky	93 _97th
Boots Riley's directorial debut is full of life, using an excellent ensemble cast and smart anti-capitalist satire to create a cartoonish but recognizable parody of modern times.
4	fra paolo	52 _56th
Very creative deployment of Marxist-Leninist tropes in an easy-to-digest-for-young-people wrapper.
4	pyrosexual	80 _66th
Have to admit, I didn't see that coming
4	Groovy_Souls	80 _73rd
I reserve the right to change this on a second watch, because... what the fuck? Sorry To Bother You is incredibly fun black comedy with powerful performances and messages wrapped up in the weirdest story progression I've seen since a certain vampire-infested Robert Rodriguez film. I don't know exactly what to make of this yet, but I think it brings its talking points effectively, and I had a really fun time watching it. Great debut from Boots Riley.
4	joel-w-m	9 _92nd
Its quirky exterior (love that soundtrack and those earrings) fits the story on first blush (the telemarketing bosses provide lots of laughs; Cassius is a loveable existence-pondering lead) but then through the indie candy coating burst some terrifying plot points (see the final riot through the crack) and provoking and poignant thoughts on capitalism and the normalizing of evil-all of it creating this quasi-surrealist sort of tone that's highly discomforting in how ultimately real it feels.
4	Corbad	70 _54th
Went places I did not expect, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it all. It was the quieter moments that captured me - the billboards, the internal conflicts. The purposeful extremeness of the rest almost lost me, but after the shock wears off the in-your-face satire cannot help but leave an impression.
4	RuruSmasher	90 _75th
I think maybe Kanye should see this? It was a great film, with an amazing cast, that puts a lot of racial issues into perspective. I'm a huge fan of oddities and this really hit home. Loved the anti-capitalist ideas. And also it was pretty damn funny.
4	rachelbeach	98 _95th
Awesome. Funky, spunky, with heart and a good message.
3	nuotio	65 _83rd
Fresh and funny, but also a bit overlong and it does lose some steam with the absurd horse people finale. Still, it's very rare these days to see something that is so totally different than other films out there and one that touches on so many important issues. This is no doubt a future cult film with it's rapid editing and numerous tiny details to be discovered. Impressive debut from Boots Riley and it will be very interesting to see what he does next.
3	prowler	80 _81st
so fun. i haven't seen a movie use workers' rights so entertainingly. a worthy successor to surreal blax classics like Watermelon Man
3	JakeAesthete	43 _40th
Good until it turns into, like, one of those "weird" Skittles ads...
3	Obdurate	75 _52nd
While I appreciate the militant satire, admittedly the first little while is not that compelling, which hurts the film as a whole. It does kick it up several notches (that's an understatement) as it goes on and gets amazingly weird, and that's where it's at its best. But when it was striving for more comedic beats it didn't always hit. Still, this is ambitious and Boots is in the running for best director of the year because of how he juggled all the disparate elements.
3	Mirelurk	82 _87th
Jumping tones mostly successfully from comedic to upsetting and always a bit surreal, this is one of my favourites this year for sure. Predictable it ain't. Hope to see Lakeith in a lot more stuff, excellent performance.
3	ABUNCHOFCATS	90 _85th
An absolute out of left field absurdist comedy that continues to pile on the ludicrousness as the movie goes on. Must watch.
3	fenixdown	87 _96th
Weird, wild, and shocking in all the best ways.
3	AlexBrisson	90 _90th
Holy shit. Horrifying, absurd, hysterical, and great social commentary. Remind me never to watch this again.
3	Syntheseizur	81 _65th
We need many more movies like this. Sure, the plot jumps between ideas too frequently, the spontaneity can be disorienting, and the movie as a whole could've used more emotional heft to balance against the near constant irony and cynicism (the romance doesn't particularly work, for starters), but these errors of form aren't enough to take away from the vital political and creative core, because as wide in scope or style as it gets, it never stops advocating for a relentless pursuit of humanity.
3	Matthew Parkinson (CineMarter)	90 _97th
Sorry to Bother You is an ambitious work of art from someone making the transition from music to film. While there may be some rough patches, it always has a goal in mind and for the most part is able to get its points across to its viewers, even if it's not always the most cohesive creation. It'll make lots of people uncomfortable and might eventually get too weird for others, but it's one of the best films of 2018 as far as I'm concerned. This is a movie that worms its way into your br [Full Review]
3	glumpy_99	67 _29th
Jumbled mess is still an intriguing and interesting journey (which could probably stand/require a second viewing); feels like its serving too many masters (rather tasteless pun intended) as some of the more fanciful, lunatic digressions (especially in the third act) only serve to undermine the quite serious and timely political observations. Well cast top to bottom with Stanfield (with assist from Cross) especially good.
3	xacviant	82 _58th
Great when it's great, but it doesn't quite nail the balance between reality and surreality (and kind of sags when it tries for the former). Solid performances, some incisive moments, fantastic production design and makeup...I just wish it were all a little more cohesive.
3	obtiosov	83 _76th
impossible-to-rate/describe second half
3	Gnalkhere	85 _81st
BRAAAZIIIIIIIIIIILLLLL
3	mkellins	75 _85th
Ultimately it's a timeless story of sudden wealth winning over ones' ideals. On top of that, there's a topical satire about society and capitalism. The twist in the end feels surprisingly fitting. The flow of the film is occasionally uneven. All the ideas thrown at the viewer feel overly abundant making the film a bit heavy and incoherent. Aside from the minor issues, it is truly an unexpected, fresh and hilarious experience.
3	Hawkins	76 _59th
Good balancing act of politics, horror, comedy. I wasn't too bothered (and maybe this is the point) until it went all "Back in the 90's I was on a very famous TV show" and then I prayed. I'm not even religious but I know when we've gone too far from Jesus. Kafka might be proud. A confident directorial debut, stylish and bold with a high-powered cast. I was surprised to find I have actually seen Boots Riley open for Jane's Addiction and Nine Inch Nails as a rapper, weird.
3	Zangin	77 _77th
It loses its focus at times, and some interesting plot lines are dropped half way through. Still, it's definitely a unique, and often hilarious, trip of a movie with a lot to say about the capitalist system.
3	feublo	85 _74th
Fresh, clever, and will certainly raise eyebrows. STBY sets a tone for controversial ideas and doesn't hesitate with it's creative freedom. Loses a bit of the sauce in the last act, but it's well-crafted and I enjoyed every bit. Recommend!
3	peyrin	80 _81st
Definitely suffers from some issues that feel attributable to a first-time director where a lot of the concepts are presented to be more clever than they actually are (or maybe they feel more revolutionary if you aren't already in favor of dismantling capitalism I dunno). In any case there's no doubt Boots Riley has secured his spot as a name to look out for.
3	semioticus	83 _81st
Amazing. It's not the perfect movie (it's Black Mirroresque in that it just throws at you some ideas but does not feel the urge to resolve them), but it's great to have comedies that make you think about what we are and where we are headed as a society in a funky way. Both Stanfield and Thompson are brilliant, David Cross's voice is sublime. This one will stay with you unless you hate it (and there will be some who hate it)
3	greghend	86 _87th
I loved the magical realism in this film. Boots Riley delivers his style effectively although I still think the curveball thrown in the last 30 minutes didn't necessarily add anything of value and was too over the top. Overall I would definitely recommend this movie, but that recommendation comes with a warning to not let the final act take away from what the rest of the film accomplishes.
3	stevonnie	95 _93rd
A surreal, satirical, and very timely commentary on American society: the nonsensical and the unjust in our reality (people working full time unable to afford housing, black folks in the US needing to 'talk white' to succeed in business, etc.) are given the Twilight Zone treatment, and the result is a movie that is bizarre, funny, and honest. It's intentionally over-the-top and strange, and though it's been characterized as such, it's not sci-fi or fantasy. I read it as an allegory.
2	Kavu	90 _94th
Excellent in so many ways. Exactly my kind of weird.
2	frederic_g54	6 _35th
With STBY, Boots Riley comes storming right out of the gate, targeting broad concepts from racial dynamics to corporate conspiracy, alas does so with the subtlety of a karate kick to the sternum, pulling out every imaginable trick in the filmmaking book to reinforce his vision to the point where it becomes a bit too much. I would't go as far as saying it was bad, far from it, it just wasn't my cup of tea.
2	KasperL	70 _65th
Stanfield and Hammer are very good in this energetic and well-directed film, and I kind of feel that it might deserve a higher score, but the parts that weren't my speed (where it goes - you'll know what I'm talking about, trust me- and the voice gag) sadly prevent it.
2	whatismyname	70 _77th
Well, that escalated quickly. Glad for once the trailer didn't spoil the film and still got me to watch it. Great job by Lakeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson, actually, all the actors represented.
2	janus	75 _64th
Of all this film's strong points, the most exciting one is its refusal to present any condition for total loss: you can always keep fighting, and in fact, the more you've lost, the harder you're entitled to fight.
2	deaddilly	55 _19th
STBY never amounts to more than a scattered series of absurdist anti-capitalist vignettes. So loosely woven together that I found it frustratingly easy to lose focus on what the end goal for these characters were. Much like Judge's "Idiocracy" I think this is a film that is funner to think about than it is to actually watch it.
2	chemtrails	65 _62nd
It's uneven but at least it's lively
2	overrated	80 _89th
The revelations about Armie Hammer's cannibalism kink makes this even better.
2	Sweekoden	90 _94th
Best movie I've gone into blind in the cinema for so far. Carnivalesque, yet grounded in sad, frustrating reality. Funny, absurd, realistic, and well performed.
2	thatyoungm	90 _84th
Sorry to Bother You showcases a unique talent in rapper and producer Boots Riley that I hope we see more of. The film is all levels of ridiculous and transports the viewer to a surreal futuristic world that is a cross between 1984 and Soylent Green. And yet, behind some brilliant absurdist comedy and the visual creativity is a very pointed and insightful social commentary into class and race warfare that stings when it hits its points right on the head. An original and thought-provoking film.
2	jodamico	66 _21st
Would work better if it was less surreal off the top to let the third act weirdness land unobstructed.
2	AAAutin	53 _54th
(FAT CATS, BIGGA HORSEHEADS)
2	LadyStardust	83 _75th
fell apart in the last act, should have ended 20 minutes sooner
2	Darren	82 _80th
Reminiscent of flicks like The Spook Who Sat by the Door.Brash leftist film making.gives you hope that the lens of film can actually have some power to bring about a change in the zeitgeist. We saw that a bit with Riley challenging the notion that this film was brought about via Trump when in reality it's been fucked for lower classes/minorities long before him. Shame a lot of publicity came after an attack on spike. There can be more than one black film at a time.
2	NothingsGood	65 _64th
Come for the coke, stay for the horse cock.
2	Seethruskin	5 _80th
Exciting, leftist filmmaking. The second half isn't where I would take it but still good.
2	JSchlansky	93 _94th
Bursting at the seams with social commentary and pure uncut grade-A ideas.
2	okayfrog	70 _75th
While its themes are tackled better by other films, I can't help but enjoy this film very much because of how well it straddles the line between "absurd" and "down-to-earth." I got several good laughs out of it, and that doesn't happen too often nowadays. It also -- oddly enough -- felt like an adaptation of something else, which sorta makes sense considering the history of the project.
2	philamental	73 _65th
All I knew going in to this was it had the reputation of a batshit crazy 'must see' movie. That's exactly what it is. Even if 'Sorry ...' bothers you, at least it's a movie that has it's own unique style and voice and as such deserves to be seen.
2	Ric	85 _82nd
Jumps from comedy to satire to surreal voodoo shit, keeping you guessing where it's gonna go next. Leaves a mark
2	jacobclark12	83 _77th
Sorry to Bother You is one hell of a debut for Boots Riley. It does have some issues juggling everything it attempts to discuss and effectively streamlining its plot, but the unique visual style and impactful delivery of its message makes it well worth a watch. The third act goes places I never saw coming, surprising me in ways I would never thought possible, making it a refreshing relief from the summer movie season.
2	jeremtb	83 _72nd
Weeeeeeiiiiird.... Uncomfortable, but funyy and really thought-provoking, without taking itself seriously.
2	SnorlaxJones	83 _93rd
I wanted to rewatch this immediately but I decided to wait until company comes so they don't miss out. Great flick.
2	AnttiR	89 _68th
Movie about our time. Also full of love for Oakland.
2	itsben	90 _94th
Thesis: 5/5 Unique Stylization: 5/5 Creativity in storytelling: 5/5 Imagery: 5/5 Symbolism: 5/5 Character development: 2/5 Character interactions/relationships: 2/5 Acting: 4/5 (I think the actors did a great job with what they were given, but there also wasn't a lot of room to showcase their acting) Fluidity of story telling: 2/5 Moral/purpose: 5/5 sometimes I felt more like I was watching a collection of parables than a movie. Which isn't necessarily a negative.
2	Jasongirl67	75 _69th
More or less are you willing to sell your soul to make a buck? I'm not really a huge fan of comedy it's not great but it's okay sorta thought provoking
2	adornment	80 _77th
Sorry To Bother You takes a scattershot approach to storytelling, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Nevertheless, with a stellar cast at his disposal, Boots Riley has crafted a powerful (and entertaining!) statement against capitalism with shocking imagery and engaging twists.
2	mega RUB	86 _54th
It was a swing and a hit for this well casted movie. Seen 2x
1	bojanpopic	83 _69th
This movie is... weird. It has no subtlety, symbolism is naive and brutal and the message is clear. It's like Mother!, but in the ghetto.
1	grimsooth	40 _31st
Probably the weirdest anti-capitalist piece I've ever seen. The first 3rd is interesting absurdism about social role choices and the circle of deception and self-deception leading to alienation from the "true" self. From there the message seems to be, rise up with endless violence because revolution is the true cause. But because of the substance of the film it must be asked how anyone eats or lives in the endless war of all against all. A new self-defeating cycle... until the sun explodes.
1	angrypierre	81 _76th
Starts as one thing, becomes another thing, both are quite strange and all in all it's pretty insane. However I can't say I didn't enjoy it throughout. I might have picked a different ending though.
1	amerigo	79 _60th
This film starts as an impressive translation of Philip K. Dick into film--and that in itself is an astounding achievement. No sci-fi movie truly captured the weird, surreal nature of PKD's writing, its oddball tortured characters, the bizarre aesthetics of a truly novel culture, the furor of the story... Unfortunately, while the set-up is wonderful, the payoff feels like a rushed deus ex machina that desperately sought to give a happy ending to mollify the anxieties of today's activists.
1	chengming	65 _47th
Quite quirky, but unfortunately ends up just being your run-of-the-mill fight against the system, complete with love interest to be won back and all. The societal critique also is so shallow that it stops being interesting five minutes in.
1	Neonman	65 _25th
For such a wild and whacky film, it sure is boring a decent amount of the time. Although it has an ambitiously large sense of societal satire, which is boosted by some enjoyable filmic craft and pleasingly bizarre plot turns, it's also quite obvious and reiterative in its jabs -- for an impressive directorial debut, it really needed to be pared down to its essence, but the director was too in love with even the mediocre content.
1	Hadleyreis	72 _58th
No worries
1	begoniabol	70 _60th
Very strange and surreal movie, but can't say I loved it. The lipsyncing was very off-putting for me, and some of the acting not great. I enjoyed it more after the first half, things get pretty crazy. That ending could come straight out of one of my own nightmares.
1	Gideon	2 _59th
STBY is all over the place, but in an entertaining manner. Just lay back, relax, enjoy a spliff and puff away.
1	LEAVES	81 _97th
Fascinating: A morality play where the moral leaders are blatantly hypocritical, the greatest villain is amorality and apathy, and the hero's triumph is... humble service to a moral cause? The last third of the film may stray from reality, but it makes sense within the film, and it actually only enhances the moral core of the film in ways that realism would not: Even in the face of larger moral peril, humble service to a moral cause is still the only option. Sadly, this is the case.
1	stuie299	75 _47th
A very unique movie that has a fresh style to it. While the plot isn't that hard to follow I think a lot of the symbolism was lost on me (except for, ya know, the obvious anti capitalist sentiment that resides over everything). I do have to give it credit for committing to the very end even when things get batshit crazy.
1	damil	70 _67th
It's always refreshing to see an out-there indie movie like this. Its concept is simple yet clever and multi-layered. There have been other surrealistic movies of this type - Brazil and Being John Malkovich come to mind - but never quite like this, particularly with the African-American angle. The cast is great - LaKeith Stanfield continues to kill it. Interesting and provocative messages, lots of cool visual storytelling, a few pretty bizarre twists make this something not to miss.
1	Sadman	75 _45th
Brimming with ideas and creative energy, but suffers from being overstuffed. You eventually grow a little numb from all the craziness. Can't wait for what Boots Riley makes next.
1	myfavchords	68 _23rd
This film has many original ideas and is really ambitious. Unfortunately some of the director's choices spoil the potential of the script. The actors are well cast here. Overall this ambitious film is a little bit of a misfire.
1	susie-mauve	80 _51st
What the hell did i just watch? Much fun, great up-to-date blaxpoitation piece. David Cross's voice is just perfect.
1	capodelnulla	55 _30th
anlatacak bir şeyi olmayıp da sürekli hip olmaya kasan ubisoft oyunları gibi. kimlik politikalarına dair anlamlı bir noktadan giriyor, izleyiciyi işbirlikçi karakterinin yanında isabetli biçimde konumlandırıyor ama anlatı her an dağılıp duruyor -ki bu açıdan bir yönetim problemi var. prodüksiyon tasarımı da filmin bu dağınık havasını toparlaması için pek yardımcı olmuyor. iyi fikirlerin kaybolduğu renkli bir bulamaç adeta.
1	christof	90 _94th
Awesome!
1	Temptershell	73 _49th
Odjechana komedia, całkiem ciekawe wstawki sf i równe aktorstwo. Nie męczy, a to jak na debiut reżyserki dobry znak.
1	amazedemon	65 _61st
Sorry to Bother You is a film with a great many concepts, floating between absurdist fun and socially commentative satire. The "white-voice" was clever, but executed with mixed results; Hardwick/Oswalt came off great, but Stanfield/Cross suffered from the dubbing issue. The combination of dark rooms, neon lights, and an unnerving soundtrack used during the "normal" segments didn't help make Standfield's Green any more sympathetic. Nor did the overuse of ancillary characters. Enjoyable overall.
1	backwardsuit	74 _63rd
Early on this showcases some deliciously effective dark comedy, absurdist satire and low-key surrealism. Sadly about halfway through it started to lose some its grounding bite for me. I got the feeling they didn't exactly know where they were going with this and after that one twist (which had me laughing like an insane person) it all just kind of fell apart both tonally and thematically. The brilliant lead performance completely carries the film though and is instantly recognizable.
1	LF-2404	70 _46th
Man, this movie was so almost great. If I could've just walked out of the theater before the last ~20 minutes, I'd have a much higher opinion of this film. Unfortunately, the nonsense reaction-bait ending completely soured the entire experience for me. Making a point in an interested or shocking way is one thing, but deliberately doing something completely nonsensical in order to illicit a reaction just for the sake of doing so is painfully weak.
1	War Machine	73 _60th
Gloverwhitevoicelmao+getsonelool+worryfree/slaveryjob+powercallerseemedlikesuchascamlol+selpower-weaponstoarmyetccallatdinnerlool-sellslavestoworryfree+glenntrynastealhisgirl+lmaofriendlyshittalking+breakup-goestoglen+findshorsemenslaveslol+wantshimtobetheircontrolledMLKlol+exposesit-stocksskyrocketlool+theyhelpfreethemselves+endheturnslol
1	Yoshinaruto	70 _71st
One of the most difficult films I’ve had to rate, Sorry to Bother You is pretty all over the place. It has a talented cast, clever moments, and something to say. As both a pro and a con, it’s unbelievably weird, uncomfortably so. The humor was mostly cringe misfires for me, but a few good moments, like the “have a nice etc.” part, or the rap. It’s like Get Out and episode 2 of Weird City mixed into one. If that interests you, you may like it.
1	ralyto	79 _65th
Bold and original. It was like a black mirror episode (before Netflix bought it) with a heart. I really liked its style; very interesting.
1	chuklz	86 _45th
This was the perfect movie until the very end, where it really had no where to go except to the absurd. I certainly wasn't expecting what I got and I kind of like it. It's somewhat like Spike Lee likes to do except with full balls out commitment.
1	dr_Robert	4 _76th
Sevärd film med skruvad humor och högt tempo. Den har tidvis musikvideons driv och brist på andringspauser/eftertanke. Den beror stora temata som rasfördommar och kapitalismen, men de behandlas på ett ganska ytligt sätt. Sammanfattningsvis är filmen underhållande och sevärd, samt på vissa sätt till och med originell. Men den är ansatsen till trots inte direkt djup. Klar fyra i betyg.@BAM
1	NickTheo	75 _53rd
It's certainly one of the most unique movies i've ever seen. Its style is like no other,with great directing and editing, charismatic performances and an intriguing central story it is definitely something to see. Its style can take away from character development at times and it gets weird... I mean really weird and it doesn't always work for me. It certainly starts better than it finishes.
1	Cardinal	68 _31st
It's a funny movie, but I don't really enjoy the story.
1	sylvie	60 _62nd
Unique and pretty crazy. Tessa Thompson's costumes were on another level.
1	Yawgmoth	4 _62nd
A 3rd act that makes you just go "What the fuck was that?". Some very strong messages about racism and classism. Visually engaging and has some very striking use of colors.
1	jarobmul	67 _39th
Some greatness intertwined with some amateurish societal critiques and decisions. It's a mixed bag but worthwhile.

Average Percentile 57.15% from 1554 Ratings