Critics Say Melania Documentary Doesn’t Be Best

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Regal Cinemas missed a big opportunity by not creating popcorn buckets shaped like Melania Trump’s iconic inauguration hat. If you’re going to engage with something politically charged, you might as well go all in. The launch of this “creative experience,” which aims to offer different viewpoints, has been odd from the start, including the merchandise and the critical reaction. The Guardian bluntly called it a “gilded trash remake of The Zone of Interest,” and their full review was even harsher. Variety described it as a “cheeseball infomercial,” while Decider used the film as a chance to criticize other projects by Brett Ratner, calling Red Dragon “one of the worst movies imaginable, even with Anthony Hopkins and a stellar cast.”

Are the terrible reviews impacting ticket sales, or are people actually supporting the film because of Melania Trump? The answer is no. Research suggests the film will earn around $5 million in theaters, despite Amazon paying $40 million for it. However, when friends are involved, a few million dollars isn’t such a big deal.

A compelling documentary about Melania Trump, the Slovenian model who married a New York real estate developer and unexpectedly found herself compared to Eva Braun, could certainly be made. However, the film Melania falls far short of that potential. According to Xan Brooks in The Guardian, it’s a remarkably bad film—lacking any redeeming qualities. It doesn’t even feel like a true documentary, but rather a cold, expensive, and ultimately pointless attempt to flatter its subject.

Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter writes that the film Melania isn’t even a flattering portrayal – it’s excessive in its praise. He suggests the film is so adoring that it feels almost un-American not to love it too. Interestingly, it was directed by Brett Ratner, who faced numerous sexual assault allegations (which he denies) and, like others connected to Donald Trump, seems to have been given a fresh start.

It’s frustrating to consider Jeff Bezos, whose wife is a former news anchor, seemingly spending a lot of money to gain favor with the president while simultaneously planning to lay off hundreds of employees at The Washington Post. Amazon claims the large investment in the movie was simply because they believe customers will enjoy it. I also find it upsetting that Apple CEO Tim Cook attended the premiere of the Melania film this week, especially while the Trump administration is using military force against Americans and detaining young children.

Starting a movie with iconic songs like the Rolling Stones’ ‘Gimme Shelter’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Billie Jean’ is a bold move usually reserved for directors like Martin Scorsese or Baz Luhrmann—or, frankly, someone making a questionable choice. Film director Brett Ratner, who has faced accusations of sexual misconduct and is known for the Rush Hour films, doesn’t fit into either of those respected categories, according to critic Jesse Hassenger.

Owen Gleiberman of Variety describes the documentary Melania as lifeless and overly produced. He argues it feels less like a genuine portrait of the First Lady and more like a carefully crafted, yet ultimately shallow, advertisement. While occasionally cheesy, the film is mostly dull, resembling discarded footage from a reality show and lacking any real substance or drama. Gleiberman suggests a more fitting title would be ‘Day of the Living Tradwife.’

“Melania is the worst movie I’ve ever seen.” — Natasha Jokic, Buzzfeed

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2026-01-31 01:58