Sunday, January 18, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema - Downtown, Los Angeles
*"Tumble outta bed and I stumble to the kitchen. Pour myself a cup of ambition..."* There's no denying that Dolly Parton's hit song "9 to 5" is catchy as hell. And when it comes to karaoke, it's always a good move. But beneath that infectious chorus lies a battle cry, and the real power of the track lies not in the upbeat rhythm but in its working girl call to arms. The same could be said for the song's inspiration, the 1980 film of the same title. It's uproariously funny and immensely satisfying, but what makes this movie a true masterpiece is its feminist exploration of women in the workplace. The story centers on three women forced to deal with levels of sexual harassment and discrimination that may, by today's standards, seem exaggerated, yet were sadly typical for that time. Their boss (played with villainous gusto by Dabney Coleman) might seem hyperbolic in his chauvinism, but his behavior isn't far from the norm of the period. The coup of NINE TO FIVE is its reliance on reality to deliver the punchline. The humor of this film strikes a major chord in its authentic portrayal of crappy jobs and terrible bosses, not to mention the universal fantasy of killing said bosses. We've all dreamed of climbing the ladder to something bigger and better, especially for that sweet, sweet moment when we can tell our superior to "take this job and shove it." It's incredibly cathartic to watch a trio of women give life to our secret hopes, especially when they're played by such badass Hollywood actresses. Although the script is fantastic, this movie wouldn't be nearly as dynamic without the combined talent of Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin. Individually, each woman is a powerhouse in her own right. But like a comedic Voltron, they come together to form an unstoppable weapon of mass hilarity, capable of dropping sass bombs and shooting out razor-sharp quips. Their performances in this film are positively jubilant, and I challenge anyone to watch this movie without raising her or his fist in solidarity at least once. (Sarah Pitre)