The Amazon-backed documentary Melania has opened in theaters to harsh reviews, with critics calling it propaganda and saying it lacks substance. The film premiered at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, before its worldwide release on Friday.
Amazon reportedly paid $40 million for the film’s rights and spent another $35 million on marketing and distribution. Director Brett Ratner denied that the movie was meant to curry favor with the Trump administration. Melania Trump is said to have received over $28 million from the deal.
Critics have been overwhelmingly negative. The Guardian called the film “a medieval tribute to placate the greedy king,” while The Independent described it as “a scowling void of pure nothingness in this ghastly bit of propaganda.” Variety said the documentary mostly shows Trump “walking into and out of rooms.”
Some reviewers criticized the timing of the release. They noted Melania Trump references her immigrant background while the Trump administration has conducted immigration raids. The Atlantic called it “galling” that the documentary celebrated her journey amid federal actions against immigrants.
Audience response has also been poor. On Letterboxd, users have given the film an average rating of 1.2 stars, while Metacritic shows a 0.4 average score.
The film’s director, Ratner, has faced past controversy, including sexual assault allegations in 2017. He defended the project, saying the investment helped hire a “top of the line” crew and denied claims of bribery or favoritism.
Despite Amazon’s backing and a high-profile premiere, Melania is expected to have a muted box office performance, with estimates projecting around a $5 million opening weekend.
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