Better Man premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on 30 August 2024. It was released in the United States on 25 December 2024, and in Australia and the United Kingdom on 26 December. The film received positive reviews from critics but underperformed at the box office, notably in North America where Williams has never developed a significant fanbase.[6]
Plot
The film tells the life story of pop singer Robbie Williams, but with Williams portrayed as a CG-animated anthropomorphic chimpanzee because, as he puts it, he always felt "less evolved than other people." No other character comments on his appearance, implying that this depiction is a reflection of Robbie's self-perception and state of mind.
In 1980s Stoke-on-Trent, eight-year-old Robbie is humiliated during a football game and storms off in anger. At home, he finds solace in his grandmother Betty's support and his father Peter teaches him to sing in a style inspired by Frank Sinatra - although he also tends to leave Robbie feeling worthless. Robbie's theatrical talent emerges during a school play, where his recovery from an accident impresses the audience, but his happiness is cut short by Peter's absence.
After his parents separate, Robbie clings to items linked to his father, salvaging them during a move to a smaller home ("Feel"). As a teenager, Robbie declares his ambition to be a famous singer despite criticism during a career counselling session. His perseverance peaks when he learns of an audition for a boyband in Manchester. Initially rejected, Robbie's determination and confidence secures him a spot in Take That.
The band's early days are marked by seedy performances in gay clubs, gradually building a fanbase ("I Found Heaven"). A pivotal performance to a crowd of teenage girls propels them to stardom ("Rock DJ"). As their fame grows, Robbie struggles with self-doubt, battles with manager Nigel Martin-Smith over creative control, and begins abusing drugs ("Relight My Fire"). These tensions culminate in Robbie's dismissal from the band after a meeting at Gary Barlow's mansion.
At Knebworth, Robbie faces the nadir of his journey ("Let Me Entertain You"). Performing for 125,000 fans, he is paralysed by fear and struggles with his failing mental health. In a symbolic sequence, Robbie takes up a violent battle with various incarnations of his past selves - including himself as a small child, whom he angrily slaughters. Robbie struggles through the concert, realising he must confront his problems.
The aftermath sees Robbie entering rehab, enduring a strenuous detox and beginning to change his life. He reconciles with his estranged friends and family, including a heartfelt reunion with his childhood friend Nate and an amicable parting with Nicole. He visits Betty's grave, finding peace in her memory, and commits to being a better version of himself ("Better Man").
At the Royal Albert Hall, Robbie reconciles with his father Peter onstage during a rendition of "My Way". He delivers a heartfelt tribute to Betty and finally addresses the visions of his past selves, transforming them from antagonists to sources of personal growth. In a poignant final moment, he sees a vision of his younger self in the audience, reaffirming his purpose to inspire and entertain ("Forbidden Road").
The project was first announced in February 2021 as co-written and directed by Michael Gracey with Oliver Cole and Simon Gleeson also having co-writing credits, and Gracey also producing alongside Jules Daly for Big Red Films and Craig McMahon for McMahon International.[7] Later that year it was reported that funding also came via the Australian government’s Producer Offset and Film Victoria’s incentive programmes.[8] The film is set to be distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Roadshow Films with international sales handled by Rocket Science.[9]
Described as a satirical musical, the project is reported to cover three decades of Robbie Williams' stardom, from his first success in popular music combo Take That through the ups and down of his career. The project was reported to "reinterpret and recontextualise" some of his songs.[10]
Casting
Williams described the filming process as “super odd” because he would find himself “sat in make-up and the lady that’s playing your grandma is sitting next to you, and the people playing your mum and dad”.[11] Williams is portrayed and voiced by Jonno Davies as a CGI chimpanzee, using motion-capture technology,[12] while Williams himself narrates the film and also provides the voice of himself in the film's final scene. While Williams re-records many of his songs featured in the film, vocalist Adam Tucker provides additional vocals to the songs.
Principal photography took place at the Docklands Studios Melbourne, in May and June 2022.[15][16] Filming of concert scenes from his ‘Live At The Albert’ show in 2001 were filmed at the Royal Albert Hall in London during Williams' concert appearances there on 6 and 7 November 2022. Members of the public could snap up bargain price tickets to attend in evening dress for the gigs.[17] Filming also took place in London in March 2023.[18]
Music
Songs by Robbie Williams featured in the film include "She's the One", "Angels" and "Let Me Entertain You".[19] Gracey stated that the songs would be "re-sung", to suit "the emotion of the moment" in the film.[20] The original score was composed by Batu Sener.[21] On 22 November 2024, Williams released the single "Forbidden Road", taken from the film's soundtrack; it peaked at number 20 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[22]
The soundtrack album to Better Man was released on 27 December 2024. On 3 January 2025, the album debuted at number 1 on the UK Albums Downloads Chart, and at number 4 on the UK Soundtrack Albums Chart.[23]
As of 12 January 2025[update], Better Man has grossed $1.2 million in the United States and Canada, and $8.9 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $10.1 million.[5][4]
Better Man received tepid box office receipts in the UK and Australia,[6] having grossed a respective $1.8 million and $4.8 million, as of 26 December 2024.[4]
In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, and was projected to gross around $2 million from 1,291 theaters in its opening weekend.[30] The film made $580,000 on its first day, and went on to debut to just $1.05 million, finishing outside the top 10. Deadline Hollywood noted that the film was bound to bomb in the U.S. since it had failed to perform well in Williams' native United Kingdom.[31]The Sentinel attributed the film's failure in North America to Williams' lack of popularity there.[6]
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 152 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "Daring to substitute its marquee star with a VFX creation and somehow pulling it off, Better Man makes a monkey out of the traditional musical biopic to thrilling effect."[32]Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 39 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[33] Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film an 83% overall positive score, with 63% saying they would "definitely recommend" it.[31]
_Dec_2024.jpg){kind=icon}
