The Cult Classic That Gave Us a Boss Worse Than Miranda Priestly

A look back at Swimming with Sharks, the cult classic that introduced Buddy Ackerman—Hollywood's original nightmare boss—long before Miranda Priestly

Apr. 10, 2026 at 10:10pm

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An abstract close-up image of shattered glass and crumpled velvet fabric, conveying the glamour and darkness of the entertainment industry's toxic culture.The cult classic Swimming with Sharks exposed the underbelly of Hollywood's abusive power structures long before The Devil Wears Prada.Paramount Today

A review of the 1994 dark psychological comedy-drama film Swimming with Sharks, which introduced the abusive Hollywood studio executive character Buddy Ackerman, long before The Devil Wears Prada's Miranda Priestly. The article also discusses the upcoming Roku series adaptation of the film, which takes an even darker turn with women leading the cast.

Why it matters

Swimming with Sharks provided an early depiction of the toxic culture and mistreatment of employees, especially women, that was prevalent in the entertainment industry. The film's exploration of power dynamics and abuse of authority foreshadowed real-life scandals like the Harvey Weinstein case, making it an important precursor to more recent conversations around workplace misconduct.

The details

The film follows Guy, a young assistant who takes a job working for the ruthless and abusive studio executive Buddy Ackerman, played by Kevin Spacey. Buddy's demands for perfection and his verbal abuse of Guy set the stage for a story of vengeance. The film's nonlinear structure and clever plot twists keep the audience guessing about the characters' true motives. Despite Spacey's own controversies, his performance as the nightmare boss Buddy Ackerman is considered one of the standout aspects of the cult classic.

  • The 1994 film Swimming with Sharks was released over 25 years ago.
  • A new Roku series adaptation of Swimming with Sharks will premiere on April 15, 2026.
  • The sequel to The Devil Wears Prada, featuring Miranda Priestly, is set to be released on May 1, 2026.

The players

Buddy Ackerman

The ruthless and abusive Hollywood studio executive at the center of the 1994 film Swimming with Sharks, played by Kevin Spacey.

Guy

The young assistant who takes a job working for Buddy Ackerman and becomes the protagonist of the film, played by Frank Whaley.

Dawn Lockhart

A film producer who becomes a romantic interest for Guy and a wedge between him and Buddy, played by Michelle Forbes.

George Huang

The writer and director of the 1994 film Swimming with Sharks.

Kathleen Robertson

The creator of the upcoming Roku series adaptation of Swimming with Sharks.

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What they’re saying

“Shut up. Listen. And learn.”

— Buddy Ackerman, Hollywood studio executive

“I'm holding up a mirror to the way Hollywood treats women. I don't endorse this, I'm not saying this is the way we should continue, but hopefully, it's a way to start the conversation and something that everyone can use as a starting-off point to fix things.”

— George Huang, Writer and director of Swimming with Sharks

What’s next

The Roku series adaptation of Swimming with Sharks, starring Diane Kruger and Kiernan Shipka, will premiere on April 15, 2026, offering a new take on the classic story of an assistant seeking vengeance against an abusive boss.

The takeaway

Swimming with Sharks remains a cult classic that presciently explored the toxic culture and mistreatment of employees, especially women, in the entertainment industry. The film's depiction of the nightmare boss Buddy Ackerman foreshadowed real-life scandals like the Harvey Weinstein case, making it an important precursor to more recent conversations around workplace misconduct.