Directed by Nic Stacey, the film features interviews with former executives from companies such as Amazon, Adidas and Apple, who reveal tactics such as planned obsolescence and product design to discourage repairs, forcing consumers to make frequent purchases. The documentary also highlights the environmental impact of this cycle of consumption, showing, for example, beaches in Ghana flooded with discarded clothing.
A special feature of the documentary is the use of a virtual narrator, a personal assistant named Sasha, who humorously illustrates corporate strategies to promote consumerism, such as “waste more,” “lie more,” and “control more.” This stylistic choice elicited mixed opinions amongst viewers, some of whom found it distracting.
The film invites viewers to reflect on their consumption habits, especially during busy shopping periods such as Black Friday, and to consider the environmental impact of their choices.
