What Men Want

Allison 'Ali' Davis, a sharp and ambitious sports agent, has been working her way up the corporate ladder amidst a predominantly male-dominated industry. She's constantly faced with condescending remarks and dismissive comments from the men around her, who fail to appreciate her intellect and skills. Ali's a hard worker, and her exceptional talents catch the attention of her colleagues and clients, but her ability to land high-paying deals and drive profits often doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. The situation becomes almost unbearable when her boss, Jason Marshall, passes over her for promotion, giving the position to a less capable male colleague. Feeling frustrated and unappreciated, Ali discovers an odd occurrence. During a chaotic nightclub encounter, she awakens with a strange and unexplainable gift - the ability to hear the thoughts of men. Initially startled by her newfound power, Ali becomes intrigued and decides to experiment. As she listens to the thoughts of various men around her, she realizes the shocking extent to which she underestimates their petty insecurities, short-sightedness, and lack of self-awareness. The women in her life, however, had a completely different dynamic - their inner thoughts are often laced with kindness, empathy, and an inner stability that gives Ali a newfound appreciation for their company. Upon gaining a better understanding of the workings of her male colleagues, Ali cleverly uses her new ability to switch the tables and outmaneuver her adversaries. By knowing exactly what they're thinking and preparing counterarguments, she gains confidence in herself and her abilities. At work, this newfound confidence emboldens Ali, and her reputation as a skilled professional and unafraid negotiator quickly spreads. Armed with this knowledge, she refocuses on leveraging her power to further her career. Using her ability, she skillfully negotiates on her clients' behalf, knowing exactly what their partners and opponents are thinking, thereby ensuring their best interests are always served. However, as news of her secret spreads to her office, people begin to suspect Ali of being an outsider and often question her motivations. As more people become aware of her unique gift, they start to explore ways in which they might also obtain such a gift, with many questioning her ethics and trying to figure out how her ability works. Meanwhile, her inner circle starts questioning her decision to keep such a valuable asset to herself. Specifically, her assistant Nick and friends in her life all come to believe in her strength, even with her newfound power, often reminding Ali that people care about her inner worth and desire, not just about how they think. Throughout the movie, Ali navigates her new talent, keeping secrets from her loved ones, employers, and herself, while gaining insight into the complexities of men's views and attitudes. Consequently, she becomes better adept at gauging people's perceptions and successfully swaying important deals. However, the most challenging revelation Ali faces comes when she accidentally overhears her fiancé's fears about losing himself within the relationship and losing control. Horrified and moved by this discovery, Ali then starts questioning whether her quest for equality and being taken seriously is perhaps misguided, leading her to contemplate making amends with her loved ones and revealing her secret to those closest to her. The aftermath of Ali's newfound gift and her heightened awareness ultimately teaches her to find balance and appreciate the relationship dynamics that surround her. The story winds up, teaching her that one does not have to be in a position of power to command the respect of others and that inner strength lies at the heart of true strength, but true love, not external views, is what drives our personal and professional growth.