Horrible Bosses

Three friends, each saddled with a nightmare boss, hatch a desperate plan to kill them. Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) is a corporate drone terrorized by his sociopathic boss Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey). Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) is a dental assistant fending off the relentless sexual advances of his boss Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) sees his dream job turn sour when his kind boss dies and his coke-addled son Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell) takes over. Directed by Seth Gordon, this 2011 R-rated comedy blends dark humor with crime caper elements. Made for $35 million, it grossed over $209 million worldwide, becoming a sleeper hit. The film kicks off the Horrible Bosses franchise, though it works as a standalone. Critics praised the cast's chemistry, and it holds a solid 6.6/10 rating on TMDB. [edit]

Nick Hendricks has spent years working at a financial firm, expecting a promotion that never comes. His boss, Dave Harken, is a manipulative sociopath who dangles the carrot of advancement only to snatch it away, taking credit for Nick's work and threatening his job security. Across town, dental assistant Dale Arbus is engaged to the love of his life, Stacey, but his boss Dr. Julia Harris makes his work life a living hell. She sexually harasses him constantly, going so far as to threaten to accuse him of assault if he doesn't sleep with her. Meanwhile, Kurt Buckman enjoys his job at a chemical company under the kind Jack Pellit. But when Jack dies suddenly of a heart attack, his cocaine-addicted son Bobby takes over, immediately starting to run the company into the ground with reckless spending and incompetence.

The three friends meet for drinks and commiserate about their terrible bosses. In a moment of drunken frustration, they half-jokingly suggest killing them. The idea sticks, and they decide to consult a man they believe can help: a convicted felon they find online named Dean Jones, who insists on being called Motherfucker Jones. Jones, played by Jamie Foxx, agrees to advise them but warns them of the risks. He gives them a plan: gather intel, create alibis, and make the murders look like accidents.

Their attempts at surveillance and preparation are comically inept. Nick tries to get into Harken's house but ends up locked in a closet. Dale and Kurt attempt to drug Harken's EpiPen, leading to a near-fatal overdose that they mistakenly think has killed him. Panicked, they stage a break-in to cover their tracks, only to realize Harken is alive. Meanwhile, Kurt follows Bobby to a strip club and witnesses his drug-fueled antics, gathering evidence of his financial crimes. Dale tries to record Dr. Harris harassing him but ends up in a compromising position that nearly ruins his engagement.

As the friends fumble through their plan, their bosses independently escalate their own schemes. Harken frames Nick for embezzlement, Dr. Harris files a sexual assault complaint against Dale, and Bobby hires a hitman to kill Kurt. The three friends find themselves cornered, with no way out except to see their plan through. They decide to confront their bosses at a company retreat, hoping to turn the tables. Jones gives them one last piece of advice: use the bosses' own crimes against them. With nothing left to lose, Nick, Dale, and Kurt head to the retreat, unaware that a detective has been following their trail.[edit]