Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You

Year: 2018

Runtime: 111 min

Language: English

Director: Boots Riley

Echo Score: 83

Budget: $3.2M

Sci-FiFantasyComedy

In an alternate Oakland, telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a mysterious strategy that propels him to unexpected success. Climbing the corporate ladder, he grapples with the ethical implications of his newfound prosperity while friends voice their concerns about corporate exploitation. Enticed by the allure of limitless wealth and power offered by Steve Lift, Cassius finds himself increasingly drawn into a surreal and complex world.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Sorry to Bother You yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Sorry to Bother You (2018)

Trace every key event in Sorry to Bother You (2018) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

WorryFree's Controversial Deal

In the vibrant city of Oakland, WorryFree launches a provocative initiative, offering free food and lodging in exchange for lifetime work contracts. This deal raises ethical concerns, with some comparing it to modern slavery, igniting debates within the community.

Oakland
2

The Emergence of The Left Eye

A passionate activist group named 'The Left Eye' forms in opposition to WorryFree's practices. They engage in protests and vandalism, aiming to raise awareness about the injustices tied to the company's operations and advocating for workers' rights.

Oakland
3

Cash's Struggles

Cassius 'Cash' Green struggles to make ends meet while living in his uncle's garage with his girlfriend, Detroit. This difficult situation motivates him to seek a job that will help stabilize their finances.

Uncle's Garage
4

Getting a Job at RegalView

Cash lands a job as a telemarketer at RegalView, facing initial challenges in connecting with customers. His luck changes when his mentor, Langston, teaches him how to use his 'white voice,' propelling him toward success in the company.

RegalView
5

Squeeze's Union Initiative

Cash's colleague, Squeeze, takes the initiative to form a union among the telemarketers. He invites Cash, Detroit, and their friend Sal to join, seeking to empower workers against their exploitative employer.

RegalView
6

Cash Becomes a Power Caller

Despite the tumultuous nature of his work environment, Cash's use of the 'white voice' earns him a promotion to a Power Caller. This unexpected success allows him access to exclusive benefits, including the luxurious Power Caller suite.

RegalView
7

Uncovering RegalView's Secrets

As Cash enjoys his new status, he uncovers disturbing information about RegalView's illicit ties to WorryFree, involving arms trading and the exploitation of labor. This knowledge weighs heavily on him, despite his financial gains.

RegalView
8

Strained Relationship with Detroit

Cash's rising success leads to a materialistic lifestyle that begins to affect his relationship with Detroit. Tensions escalate further when Cash crosses union picket lines, inadvertently igniting a sensational meme.

Oakland
9

Party at Steve Lift's

Cash receives an invitation to a luxurious party hosted by Steve Lift, the CEO of WorryFree, where he feels both celebrated and exploited. During a private conversation, Lift tries to entice Cash with a mysterious substance.

Lift's Party
10

The Equisapiens Revelation

While trying to escape to the restroom, Cash stumbles upon the horrifying revelation of Equisapiens—genetically engineered workers enslaved by WorryFree, bringing Cash face-to-face with the dark realities of the corporate scheme.

Lift's Office
11

Cash's Disturbing Offer

Lift offers Cash a staggering $100 million to become an Equisapien and support WorryFree’s ad campaigns. Conflicted, Cash leaves in a panic, grappling with the moral implications of this lucrative deal.

Lift's Office
12

Joining a Reality Show

In an attempt to raise awareness for the Equisapiens, Cash participates in a reality show titled *I Got the Shit Kicked Out of Me!*. He uses his viral fame as a meme to draw attention to the plight of these oppressed workers.

Television Show
13

Backfiring Scheme

Unfortunately, Cash's intention backfires when Lift's plan is hailed as a scientific breakthrough, leading to soaring stock prices for WorryFree. Feeling deep remorse for his actions, Cash seeks to atone with his friends.

14

Infiltrating Lift's Home

Desperate to expose the truth, Cash successfully cracks the security code from the viral video and infiltrates Lift’s home, preparing to confront him. This daring act showcases his commitment to fighting against corporate corruption.

Lift's House
15

The Equisapiens Rise

After a chaotic confrontation involving law enforcement, Cash witnesses the Equisapiens overpowering the police, aided by their formidable strength. Grateful, the Equisapiens depart to pursue their cause, marking a pivotal moment in Cash's redemption arc.

Protest Site

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 16:24

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Surreal Capitalist Satires like Sorry to Bother You

Movies that use bizarre satire to expose the absurd horrors of modern capitalism.If you enjoyed the biting capitalist critique and surreal twists of Sorry to Bother You, you'll find similar themes in these movies. This list features films that use satire and absurdity to explore themes of labor exploitation, corporate greed, and moral compromise, offering a unique blend of dark comedy and social commentary.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often begin with a relatable protagonist facing economic pressures, only to have their reality warp as they climb a corrupt system. The narrative escalates rapidly from social realism into full-blown allegorical horror, forcing the character to confront the dehumanizing cost of their success within a bizarre, exaggerated world.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared approach to satire: using dark humor, surreal imagery, and fast-paced, high-intensity storytelling to deliver a heavy emotional and thematic punch about systemic exploitation. They often feature ambiguous endings that leave the central conflict provocatively unresolved.

Moral Descent Stories like Sorry to Bother You

Stories of protagonists tempted by power, leading to heavy moral compromises.Fans of Cassius Green's ethical dilemma in Sorry to Bother You will appreciate these films about moral compromise. Discover movies where characters face similar temptations and wrestle with the consequences of climbing the ladder in exploitative systems, often with complex narratives and heavy emotional weight.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern follows a character who initially seeks a better life but is presented with an ethically dubious path to power. Their internal conflict between principle and prosperity drives the story, often resulting in strained relationships, identity crisis, and a climax that forces a reckoning with the choices they've made.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their exploration of the 'faustian bargain' archetype within modern contexts. They share a complex narrative structure, a dark tone, and a focus on the heavy emotional weight of personal compromise, making the viewer complicit in the protagonist's unsettling journey.

Unlock the Full Story of Sorry to Bother You

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Sorry to Bother You Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Sorry to Bother You, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Sorry to Bother You Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sorry to Bother You

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Sorry to Bother You. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You Spoiler-Free Summary

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Sorry to Bother You Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Sorry to Bother You

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