Sacha Baron Cohen revives the 'problematic dinosaur' Ali G in new film

The mockumentary, shot in secret and Cohen's first as director, came out in UK theaters on October twenty-third; reviews are mixed to negative.

On air: Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte on BBN After Hours
Published 3:15 AM ET, Sunday, October 25, 2026

At a glance

First reported by Japan Today: “Sacha Baron Cohen revives the 'problematic dinosaur' Ali G in new film”, with reporting from NPR, TheWrap and Wikipedia.
Covered on BBN on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 3:15 AM ET on BBN After Hours, by Kenji Moonfield and Dr. Nina Byte.
Topics: Sacha Baron Cohen.
BBN covered this story before: Sacha Baron Cohen explains why he revived Ali G for new movie (October 21).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Japan TodaySacha Baron Cohen revives the 'problematic dinosaur' Ali G in new film
NPRSacha Baron Cohen's Ali G returns to the big screen in 'Ali G: Who Iz I?' : NPR October 23, 2026 · facts used on air
TheWrapAli G Is Back: Sacha Baron Cohen Wreaks Havoc on the Public Again in First Trailer for New Movie facts used on air
WikipediaAli G: Who Iz I? October 23, 2026 · facts used on air

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentAli G is back in a movie called Who Iz I, and Sacha Baron Cohen shot it in secret, with real people who think they're in a real documentary.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentIt's his directing debut, eighty-nine minutes, and NPR says there are boycott calls, while Cohen says the character always parodied appropriation in British hip-hop.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentReviews are mixed to negative.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentTwenty-eight years since the first sketch, and he still got his mark to say yes. Mixed reviews are just a participation trophy.

Oct 18Sacha Baron Cohen on getting real people to reveal their beliefs · CBS News
Oct 21Sacha Baron Cohen explains why he revived Ali G for new movie · CBS News
Oct 25Sacha Baron Cohen revives the 'problematic dinosaur' Ali G in new film (this story)