Boots Riley began working on a screenplay for "an absurdist dark comedy with aspects of magical realism and science fiction," inspired by his own time working as a telemarketer, which he finished in 2012. In 2017, he was able to begin production on his screenplay for "Sorry to Bother You", directing it himself, with stars Lakeith Stanfield, Tessa Thompson, and Steven Yeun. The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2018, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 6, 2018, by Annapurna Pictures. The film received praise for its cast and concept, as well as Riley's screenplay and direction.