The Boss
A disgraced business mogul turns prison, social exile, and an unlikely household into fuel for a wildly abrasive comeback.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- None
- irreverent
- witty
- brash
- lazy sunday
- group comedy night
What critics said
Critics generally agreed that Melissa McCarthy’s committed comic performance could not overcome inconsistent gags, thin writing, and a loose, haphazard structure.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michelle Darnell begins as a titan of industry, loses her fortune and reputation after insider trading, and must rebuild from dependence on Claire and Rachel.
Michelle tries to rebrand herself as America’s sweetheart while former victims and rivals remember the people she steamrolled.
Michelle devises a winner-take-all plan to restore her business empire after prison and social exile.
Michelle is forced to live with her former assistant Claire and Claire’s young daughter Rachel, making their household central to her recovery.
Films like The Boss, and why
Tammy
shares a broad studio comedy format, an abrasive but charismatic female protagonist, and a redemption arc built around rebuilding a damaged public identity
Identity Thief
shares Melissa McCarthy’s physical-comedy style, brash outsider energy, and commercially oriented ensemble humor
Bridesmaids
shares workplace ambition, female friendship, and a warm reversal from personal instability toward renewed confidence
Movie Details
- Director
- Ben Falcone
- Release Date
- 2016-04-07
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 5.8 / 10 (1421)
Cast
- Melissa McCarthy
- Kristen Bell
- Peter Dinklage
- Kathy Bates
- Tyler Labine
- Timothy Simons
- Kristen Schaal
- Ella Anderson
- Michael McDonald
- Annie Mumolo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Boss about?
- A disgraced business mogul turns prison, social exile, and an unlikely household into fuel for a wildly abrasive comeback.
- What is The Boss like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Boss as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is The Boss violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Boss.
- What did critics think of The Boss?
- Critics generally agreed that Melissa McCarthy’s committed comic performance could not overcome inconsistent gags, thin writing, and a loose, haphazard structure.
- Which films are like The Boss?
- Films with a similar feel include Tammy, Identity Thief, and Bridesmaids.
- How long is The Boss?
- The Boss runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Boss?
- In United States, The Boss streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.
