Critics haven’t held back on their harsh reviews of Melania, the documentary about First Lady Melania Trump. With a hefty budget of $75 million, many have called it propaganda. Descriptions range from “pure nothingness” to “an endless hell.”
Despite the backlash from professionals, enthusiastic audiences have flocked to theaters. Trump supporters have helped the film generate over $7 million in ticket sales, marking it as one of the most successful documentary openings in the last decade. A reviewer on Rotten Tomatoes even claimed, “Every red-blooded American needs to see this movie.”
Interestingly, Melania has created a striking contrast between critic and audience ratings. It currently boasts a mere 5% score from critics, yet an impressive 99% from viewers. This remarkable gap marks the largest difference in Rotten Tomatoes’ history.
The film is receiving a lot of attention; it has the highest audience score of any current film in theaters, surpassing even Oscar contenders like Hamnet and One Battle After Another. However, this rating comes with a caveat: among unverified viewers, it sits much lower at about 29%.
Rotten Tomatoes claims that the high audience ratings are legitimate, stating, “There has been NO manipulation on the audience reviews.” They assert that only verified ticket purchasers count toward the ratings.
This isn’t the first time a film aimed at conservative viewers has faced a similar divide in ratings. Films like Reagan, a biopic about the former president, and Am I Racist?, a mockumentary, showed similar patterns with high audience scores despite poor critical reception.
On IMDb, Melania has drawn over 44,000 ratings, raising flags for “unusual activity.” Surprisingly, 87% of those ratings are one-star reviews, while only 4% rate it ten stars. A 10-star reviewer expressed excitement about the theater experience, calling it an entertaining story about an immigrant family achieving the American dream.
Amazon MGM Studios acquired Melania shortly after Donald Trump’s election, paying $40 million, the highest amount the company has ever spent on content. This purchase was seen by many as an attempt to gain favor with the new administration, especially considering Amazon’s extensive government contracts.
Director Brett Ratner, back after facing allegations of misconduct, has faced criticism over the film’s chaotic production process. Many crew members reportedly requested anonymity, a reflection of their discomfort with the project.
Beyond acquisition costs, Amazon invested an additional $35 million in marketing. The film debuted in over 1,700 theaters nationwide, and Kevin Wilson, Amazon’s head of domestic theatrical distribution, expressed optimism about the audience’s initial response and their plans for further releases.
Overall, Melania illustrates the complex relationship between media, politics, and audience perception in today’s climate. As viewers increasingly gravitate toward material that aligns with their beliefs, the gap between critical and audience reception continues to widen.
For more insights on documentary trends, you can read this recent report.
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