Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G returns in new film amid boycott controversy

Sacha Baron Cohen has released the first trailer for ‘Ali G: Who Iz I?’, a mockumentary marking the return of his iconic character after two decades and serving as Cohen’s directorial debut. The film follows Ali G as he travels to the United States to revive his career after learning his long-term girlfriend, Julie, is pregnant.

The release has sparked controversy, leading the UK cinema chain Picturehouse Cinemas to announce it has ‘no current plans’ to screen the film. This decision follows a campaign by the media watchdog NewsCord, which has urged major chains like Odeon and Cineworld to boycott the movie. NewsCord alleges that Cohen uses satire as a ‘cover for enforcing racist stereotypes’ and describes the character as a ‘racist caricature.’

Cohen has addressed the backlash on social media, noting that in an era where comedians face scrutiny for ‘un-PC jokes,’ he chose to bring back a character that embraces absurdity. The film is distributed by Amazon MGM Studios and is scheduled for release in late October 2026.