Sorry to Bother You

In the alternate universe of 2018 Oakland, Cassius "Cash" Green, played by Lakeith Stanfield, is an aspiring phone salesman struggling to make a name for himself in a dead-end telemarketing job. Working at the mysterious Regal View Telemarketing company, Cash's day consists of making calls, dodging complaints, and dreaming of a better life for himself. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he is introduced to a technique known as "The White Voice," a magical elixir of sorts that transforms his appearance and allows him to use a more palatable, white-voiced persona over the phone. Donning "Steve," a smooth, white salesman persona, Cash discovers a hidden talent for convincing even the most skeptical potential customers to invest in his company's products. As his sales numbers skyrocket, he quickly rises through the ranks, impressing the company's eccentric owner, Ron Stallworth-like figure, Dean, played by Danny Glover. Dean, sensing Cash's raw potential, takes him under his wing and introduces him to the world of corporate success, where profits and advancement are all that matter. As Cash becomes more embroiled in the corporate world, he finds himself caught up in a dark, sinister, and unsettling universe. His new life takes him to exclusive parties, luxurious penthouses, and secret conferences with CEOs and executives. He becomes an integral part of the Regal View empire, and his rise to the top is meteoric. However, the line between his old and new selves begins to blur, and Cash starts to lose sight of his values, morals, and sense of self. Meanwhile, Tressie, played by Tessa Thompson, a charismatic and fiery artist, and Cash's partner in love and activism, tries to anchor him in reality. As Cash becomes more and more absorbed in his new world, Tressie's words of caution and her commitment to fighting against systemic racism in Oakland become increasingly distant to him. One night, at a high-society soiree, Cash has a disturbing encounter with a white woman named Yvonne, played by Armie Hammer, whose presence and actions are disturbingly reminiscent of the racism and oppression he initially sought to escape in Oakland. This encounter sets him down a path that leads him further into the dark underbelly of corporate power. As the film hurtles towards its climax, Cash is faced with the stark reality of the world he has created for himself. He must confront the moral consequences of his actions, the damage caused by his newfound material success, and the very nature of the corporate world he has become a part of. In the end, Cash's journey serves as a scathing critique of modern society, where success is often defined by material wealth, and racism and classism are perpetuated under the guise of corporate social responsibility. The movie, directed by Boots Riley, is a thought-provoking commentary on the American Dream, its flaws, and its failures, offering a darkly comedic and irreverent take on the intersection of class, racism, and technology. As the credits roll, Cash's fate is left uncertain, but one thing is clear: his life will never be the same after his exposure to the macabre universe of corporate power. The film leaves the viewer wondering what the consequences of his choices will be and whether he will be able to reclaim his sense of purpose and identity in the face of a world that values profits above all else.