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One viewer called it ‘absolute trash’(Image: Netflix)

Netflix viewers can’t get enough of the streamer’s latest film despite its reviews.

The streaming giant’s latest release has caught the attention of fans so much it has managed to overtake hit documentary The Crash. That true crime doc, which examined the case of Mackenzie Shirilla, had held tightly to top spot for the last couple of weeks since its release.

However, after comedy movie Ladies First landed at the end of last week, it has surged up the charts to claim the number one crown. At the time of writing, the film is the most watched among UK based subscribers.

It is actually an English language remake of the French romantic comedy Je ne suis pas un homme facile, or I Am Not An Easy Man. That film was released back in 2018 and is also available on Netflix.

While the original was written and directed by Éléonore Pourriat, the remake is helmed by Thea Sharrock. Sharrock has previously directed episodes of Call the Midwife as well as the film Wicked Letters.

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Ladies First has gone straight to the top of Netflix’s chart(Image: Netflix)

According to its synopsis, the story follows Damien Sachs, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, who seemingly has it all from money to power and a never ending stream of casual flings. As he prepares to ascend to the role of CEO at a leading advertising agency, his life is turned upside down when he wakes up in his worst nightmare: a parallel world dominated by women.

Where he once ruled the boardroom, he now finds himself humbled and going head-to-head with the newly fierce and fearless Alex Fox, played by Rosamund Pike. With the rules of engagement changed and Alex at the top of her game, the two boldly battle it out in a playful and satirical comedy about what happens when the script is flipped.

Despite its bold premise and success in viewership, it has not been warmly received by critics. It holds an unwanted score of 18% on website Rotten Tomatoes. Many have compared the film to 90s comedies such as What Women Want but in a bad way.

One critic claimed Ladies First is: “a comedy sketch premise stretched to feature length. The team behind Ladies First should have spent a little less time on thinking up gender-flipped jokes and more time wondering whether they actually had a coherent story worth telling.”

Another reviewer added: “A misogynist is made to learn the error of his ways in this painfully dated and embarrassingly star-packed sexism comedy.”

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It has split opinion among critics and fans(Image: Netflix)

And even though fans seem to be watching in great numbers, one dubbed the film as “absolute trash.” While another shared their thoughts on social media and said: “Is Ladies First the worst thing ever produced in the UK and Netflix, took a goodish idea, a great British cast and made it unwatchable.”

However there still some viewers singing its praises. Although one came with a slight admission as they commented: “If you can make it through the first half an hour, which was pretty excruciating, it’s very, very funny. There are many laugh-out-loud moments, and unexpected shock comedy twists.”

But one fan posted: “This movie has the magic of Bend It Like Beckham and the best of those late ’90s rom-coms. It’s funny, charming, heartfelt, and actually saying something underneath it all. I was genuinely surprised by how refreshing it felt. It’s the kind of movie that will absolutely stand the test of time.”

Ladies First is streaming on Netflix