Sacha Baron Cohen faces backlash over new Ali G movie

The upcoming mockumentary sequel, ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, is facing significant backlash ahead of its scheduled release. Set for a theatrical debut on October 23, 2026, via Amazon MGM Studios, the film marks Sacha Baron Cohen’s directorial debut.

Critics and social media users have raised concerns that the character relies on outdated and offensive stereotypes. The media monitoring company NewsCord has reportedly launched a campaign to discourage cinemas from screening the film. Detractors argue that the character serves as a cover for racist tropes, specifically regarding the sexualization of Black women and the mockery of working-class women.

British writer Afua Hirsch has criticized the character as a “crude compound” of offensive elements, noting that the style of humor and imitation no longer aligns with modern social standards. Conversely, some supporters view the character as a satirical tool used to highlight social contradictions. The film is expected to follow a format similar to ‘Borat’, featuring Cohen in unscripted interactions with unsuspecting individuals.