Year: 2016
Runtime: 99 min
Language: English
Director: Ben Falcone
Following a prison sentence, ambitious CEO Michelle Darnell must adjust to a life far removed from the corporate world. Stripped of her power and prestige, she navigates the challenges of incarceration while plotting a return to dominance. With the assistance of her former employee, Claire, and fueled by a love for baking, Michelle aims for a remarkable comeback, encountering unexpected hurdles along the way and learning valuable lessons about humility and second chances.
Warning: spoilers below!
Haven’t seen The Boss 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!
Read the complete plot breakdown of The Boss (2016), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Michelle Darnell, portrayed by Melissa McCarthy, had a tough childhood as an orphan, being rejected by every family that tried to adopt her. Overcoming her tumultuous past, she rises to become the CEO of numerous companies, earning her place as the 47th richest woman in the world. Working alongside her is Claire Rawlings, played by Kristen Bell, her dedicated PA who handles various tasks, often at the mercy of Michelle’s demanding nature regarding a much-deserved raise. Michelle also has a driver named Tito, played by Cedric Yarbrough.
The story takes a twist when Michelle faces off against her business rival, Renault, portrayed by Peter Dinklage, with whom she shares a complicated history. Renault’s resentment stems from a time in the 90s when Michelle undermined him to secure a promotion. The situation escalates when Renault accuses her of insider trading after she blocks his acquisition plans by buying shares of his target company. This confrontation leads to Michelle’s arrest by the SEC and the collapse of her empire.
After a five-month stint in prison, Michelle emerges with nowhere to turn. Claire, fed up with her new micromanaging boss Dana Dandridge, played by Cecily Strong, reluctantly allows Michelle to stay at her home after her daughter Rachel, portrayed by Ella Anderson, insists on helping the fallen titan. With a tarnished reputation and no allies left, as Renault has successfully undermined her support network, Michelle finds herself living with Claire and her family for over three weeks. Claire eventually proposes that Michelle help with household chores to contribute her share.
As Michelle tries to find her footing, she stumbles upon a local Dandelions cookies meeting and discovers that the company exploits schoolgirls for sales under the guise of supporting social causes. Inspired, Michelle proposes a new initiative called Michelle’s Darlings, where young girls can earn funds for their college education by selling cookies. Initially, the venture starts off slowly, but it picks up momentum and begins to generate solid profits. Michelle persuades Claire to fully commit to the cookie project, which leads them to recruit girls away from the Dandelions to sell Claire’s baked goods.
However, tensions flare between Michelle and Claire as they grow closer, prompting Michelle to step back from their lives. Utilizing capital from her mentor Ida Marquette, played by Kathy Bates, Michelle opens a commercial kitchen to scale up their production. Misinterpretations arise when Michelle discovers Claire in conversation with Renault, leading to a significant falling out. Accusing Claire of betrayal, she decides to sell the cookie business to Renault, leaving Claire and the girls devastated.
After some soul-searching, Michelle feels an overwhelming sense of regret and reconciles with Claire and Rachel. She plans to reclaim the signed contract with Renault, and as they stealthily infiltrate his office, a surprising encounter unfolds. In the midst of a confrontation, Michelle engages in an intense duel with Renault, eventually culminating in an unexpected kiss. Ultimately, Claire tears up the contract as they move forward, and eight months later, they celebrate their success in their new home, funded by the flourishing cookie business.
Last Updated: November 08, 2024 at 04:43
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Boss in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Boss is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Boss with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover movies like The Boss that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
The Boss (2016) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline
The Boss (2016) Movie Characters, Themes & Settings
Movies Like The Boss – Similar Titles You’ll Enjoy
Like a Boss (2020) Story Summary & Characters
Horrible Bosses (2011) Full Movie Breakdown
Horrible Bosses 2 (2014) Ending Explained & Film Insights
The Good Boss (2022) Film Overview & Timeline
I Don't Know How She Does It (2011) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap
Mistress (1992) Detailed Story Recap
9 to 5 (1980) Story Summary & Characters
Le Chef (2014) Full Movie Breakdown
Queenpins (2021) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Working Girl (1988) Full Movie Breakdown
Duchess (2024) Plot Summary & Ending Explained
Big Business (1988) Ending Explained & Film Insights
Do Revenge (2022) Film Overview & Timeline
My Boss's Daughter (2003) Complete Plot Breakdown
My Piece of the Pie (2011) Spoiler-Packed Plot Recap