↯ precious basketcase ↯

@yourcolorsrun

·

7h

Michael Gracey on Robbie Williams giving him full creative license on Better Man. "I have so much respect for him for allowing me to go to those places."

Thanks to ↯ precious basketcase ↯ (@yourcolorsrun) / X

Edited April 30Apr 30 by Sydney11

“Better Man” True Story: How Much of the Robbie Williams Movie Is Fiction?

'Better Man' explores Robbie Williams' journey, blending reality with fiction. Discover how much of the movie reflects his true story!

by

Shreya Jha

Writer

Published May 1, 2025, 8:39 am

SUMMARY

• 'Better Man' is one of the most daring and ambitious biopics in recent history.

• It tells Robbie Williams' story, with him as an anthropomorphized chimp.

• If you're in the mood for something unconventional, give 'Better Man' a shot.

Some biopics aim for drama, while others aim for originality. Better Man does both—and throws in a CGI chimpanzee for good measure. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), this 2024 film tells the story of Robbie Williams—except Williams’ played by a talking chimp, thanks to some next-level CGI!

Crazy? Absolutely. But there’s a method to the madness. The chimp symbolizes how the English singer sees himself—an outsider swinging through the chaos of fame.

Robbie Williams (Credits: Instagram/@robbiewilliams)

The movie covers his boy band days, solo career, addiction struggles, and family drama. So, is it based on a true story? Let’s crack the case!

- AD -

Is Better Man Based on a True Story?

Jonno Davies in Better Man (Credits: Paramount Pictures)

The answer is yes! At its core, Better Man is a biopic that tells the story of Robbie Williams, a British singer who shot to fame with Take That and later became a global solo superstar. But here’s what sets it apart: Williams is portrayed as an anthropomorphized chimpanzee (which is purely fabricated).

Why a chimp? The movie never really explains. To everyone in the film, he’s just Williams. But to us viewers, he’s a fully CGI chimp, brought to life by Jonno Davies through motion capture, with Williams lending his voice in some scenes. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that this is a creative choice that mirrors how the singer-songwriter often felt out of place, even in his skin.

The story starts in Stoke-on-Trent, where young Robbie dreams of fame. His dad, Peter (played by Steve Pemberton), is a performer, but they don’t exactly bond. After Peter bails to chase his dreams, Robbie has to find his path. Eventually, he joins Take That, a boy band managed by the tough and grumpy Nigel Martin Smith (Damon Herriman).

Take That becomes a sensation, but fame has its downsides. Robbie dives into addiction, has messy romances (including one with Nicole Appleton, played by Raechelle Banno), and struggles with relentless public scrutiny. And through it all, his complicated relationship with his dad hangs over everything.

The movie follows the classic rise-fall-redemption arc we’ve seen in many biopics. But the chimp aspect keeps it fresh. It’s a bizarre, surreal take on the genre that somehow works.

Better Man flopped despite critical acclaim

Jonno Davies in Better Man (Credits: Paramount Pictures)

Critics had plenty of praise for Better Man. Audiences? Not so much. Despite the bold concept and positive reviews, the film flopped at the box office.

The film was made on a $110 million budget (per Vulture)—a risky amount for a biopic, especially one about a singer who isn’t a household name in the U.S. Paramount bought it for $25 million, but domestically, it hasn’t even made $10 million.

Why the flop? For one, Robbie Williams is massive in the UK and Europe, but not so much in the U.S. Sure, he’s had 14 chart-topping albums and some iconic music videos (like Angels), but American audiences just couldn’t fully buy into his charm.

Then there’s the whole chimp thing. Critics praised it as bold and creative, but it might’ve confused or put off casual viewers. As one box office analyst, David A. Gross, told Variety, “The risk-taking is excellent, but $110 million is not realistic for the genre and for this musical artist.”

In short, it was a risky move that didn’t quite pay off. Still, reviewers admired the originality. But being unique doesn’t always mean box office success.

Is Better Man worth watching?

Jonno Davies in Better Man (Credits: Paramount Pictures)

Okay, so Better Man flopped (hard). But does that mean you should skip it? Well, you can choose not to. Better Man is worth your time, especially if you’re tired of cookie-cutter biopics.

Most music biopics follow the same formula: rising star, personal struggles, redemption. Better Man covers all that, sure, but it does so with a cheeky twist. The chimp isn’t just a gimmick—it cleverly delves into Williams’ self-image, adding depth to what could’ve felt like a tired story.

Jonno Davies, who performs the motion capture, brings Williams’ chimp to life with insane detail. The 50-year-old even lends his voice, making it oddly authentic. Together, they create a character that’s surprisingly relatable even if he’s, you know, a chimp.

Robbie Williams Using Age-Old Bill Clinton Formula After Seemingly Admitting Alleged Nicole Kidman Romance Will Never Not Be Funny

The supporting cast holds their own. Steve Pemberton is great as Williams’ dad, and Damon Herriman plays the tough band manager perfectly. Raechelle Banno, Kate Mulvany, and Alison Steadman are all amazing, but to be honest, the real star here is the CGI chimp.

And let’s not forget the music! The film features all of Williams’ biggest hits, plus an original song, Forbidden Road. While it might not snag an Oscar, it’s a stunning track that beautifully wraps up the movie.

If you’re a Robbie Williams fan, Better Man is a must-watch. If you’re not, it’s still worth checking out for its sheer creativity. How often do you see a biopic where the main character is a CGI chimpanzee? Exactly, that’s the point.

Better Man is available to stream on Apple TV!

Edited by: Rima Biswas

FandomWire

"Better Man" True Story: How Much of the Robbie Williams...

'Better Man' explores Robbie Williams' journey, blending reality with fiction. Discover how much of the movie reflects his true story!

 

Post

Katharine Merry

@KatharineMerry

.. been meaning to say .. I watched 2 films on the plane to Tokyo .. Wolfs (Pitt and Clooney) .. some lol moments and decent .. but didn’t understand the end 😂" . and the Robbie Williams film Better Man. Outstanding. 10/10. Laughed, cried & genius.

·

Reply

Andy

@MrAC273

I went to see Better Man a couple of months ago, I wasn't particularly invested or anything. What a surprise, as you say it was funny, really sad but just so good. Still don't really understand the whole monkey thing fully but definitely 10/10

Via Twitter

To read full article clock on link below !

I also see more experimental and contemporary takes like Robbie Williams’ Better Man. Marketing, sure. But gone are the days of the celebrity book tour. It’s all about the biopic now. But I don’t think this will last. Critical and audience reactions have been rather dull.

Better Man wasn’t a bad movie but it tanked at the box office, and neither Amy or One Love received the attention their subjects warrant. Meanwhile, a movie like Sinners – an original story not based on an icon – is thriving. Biopic fatigue may be setting in quicker than anyone expected. As with the superhero genre, the answer is obvious: be original.

Please, Enough With the Lazy Hollywood Biopics

Better Man review by Bobby Blakey

Throughout the years there have been a ton of biographical films focusing on the careers of musicians and bands. Within them there are a select few that took a more creative direction to tell their tail such as Pharrell’s film Piece by Piece animated in LEGO form. One the most creative directions ever comes in Better Man telling the story of Robbie Williams from The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Could this unique direction in storytelling manage to elevate the story of Williams life and career or will it be too bananas to work?

Better Man follows the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey, the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

I must be honest I wasn’t overly interested in this film. I am fully aware of Williams mostly through interviews, but not a fan of any of his music so I didn’t have any connection to him. Add to the mix this strange direction of making him a chimpanzee and I was just baffled too why. To my surprise this is a fantastic film and not only brings some great music and heavy depth into his life and career, but the creative choice of the Chimp persona works. For those confused the idea was that he always felt more like a dancing monkey, so that is how he is portrayed here as well as the more animalistic elements coming out during his drug fueled outbursts.

It's a creative decision that has no business working and yet it does. The thing is it’s never addressed as we are witnessing how he sees himself and not the outside world. He isn’t an actual chimp on stage in this world of humans it is a visual metaphor and is way more powerful than I thought it might be. It also brings a unique feel to the film that helps to elevate it to something that could have been just another biography.

The story is both triumphant and just sad as we follow his journey into fame and complete rock bottom on the career front, but in all aspects of his life. They hold nothing back, allowing the story to showcase the ups and downs of his life and slap you in the face with reality in this not so realistic portrayal. The song and dance numbers are well choreographed and shot to really pull you into the music whether you are a fan or not. It all just works and manages to be a story that I didn’t know I needed or even wanted to hear, but here we are, and I applaud its bold choices and perfect execution.

The final moments and performance are the perfect cap to the story told here with a great song choice and recreation of a pivotal moment in his life of self-discovery and path forward. Whether you are a fan or not I highly recommend checking out this biography like you have never seen before.

Decide for yourself and grab your copy of Better Man available now on digital, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment.

https://www.hollywoodmatrimony.com/better-man-review

Weta Gave Monkey Robbie Williams’ “Rear of the Year” in Better Man

Fred Topel Movie Reviews! May 13, 2025

Better Man has the boldest take on celebrity biopics but not only not casting an actor to play Robbie Williams, but not even portraying him as human. Williams and Jonno Davies did the performance capture to show Williams as a monkey for the entire film. Weta Digital solved several problems to achieve director Michael Gracey’s approach, not the least of which was giving the monkey a Williams-worthy butt.

“His butt is a great example,” Visual Effects Supervisor Luke Millar says in the bonus features on the 4K UHD release. “Robbie won Rear of the Year like three years running or something like that.”

Imagine being the Weta artist whose job it was to creaft a monkey butt.

“When we first put the monkey butt in leather pants, there wasn’t anything to look at,” Millar continued. “So we had to sculpt a more voluptuous package, put it that way.”

The monkey completely holds up in 4K. I mean, it’s Weta. Come on. Though filmed on digital Arri Alexa, Gracey gave the film grain in every scene to look gritty, if a bit hazy. That helps hide all the visual effects, not just the monkey but also the shots stitched together to create a single take, and the musical dance gags.

In surround sound, the music fills the room. There are some sound effects, often when Williams spirals so imagines drowning underwater or other monkeys judging him. Crowds swarm and camera flashes overwhelm, but the crowd singing along to “My Way” at the end feels peaceful and rewarding.

Weta Gave Monkey Robbie Williams...

Weta Gave Monkey Robbie Williams' "Rear of the Year" in B...

Better Man has the boldest take on celebrity biopics but not only not casting an actor to play Robbie Williams, but not even portraying him as human. Williams and Jonno Davies did the performance c...

15 hours ago, Better Man said:

Better Man review by Bobby Blakey

Throughout the years there have been a ton of biographical films focusing on the careers of musicians and bands. Within them there are a select few that took a more creative direction to tell their tail such as Pharrell’s film Piece by Piece animated in LEGO form. One the most creative directions ever comes in Better Man telling the story of Robbie Williams from The Greatest Showman director Michael Gracey. Could this unique direction in storytelling manage to elevate the story of Williams life and career or will it be too bananas to work?

Better Man follows the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey, the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

I must be honest I wasn’t overly interested in this film. I am fully aware of Williams mostly through interviews, but not a fan of any of his music so I didn’t have any connection to him. Add to the mix this strange direction of making him a chimpanzee and I was just baffled too why. To my surprise this is a fantastic film and not only brings some great music and heavy depth into his life and career, but the creative choice of the Chimp persona works. For those confused the idea was that he always felt more like a dancing monkey, so that is how he is portrayed here as well as the more animalistic elements coming out during his drug fueled outbursts.

It's a creative decision that has no business working and yet it does. The thing is it’s never addressed as we are witnessing how he sees himself and not the outside world. He isn’t an actual chimp on stage in this world of humans it is a visual metaphor and is way more powerful than I thought it might be. It also brings a unique feel to the film that helps to elevate it to something that could have been just another biography.

The story is both triumphant and just sad as we follow his journey into fame and complete rock bottom on the career front, but in all aspects of his life. They hold nothing back, allowing the story to showcase the ups and downs of his life and slap you in the face with reality in this not so realistic portrayal. The song and dance numbers are well choreographed and shot to really pull you into the music whether you are a fan or not. It all just works and manages to be a story that I didn’t know I needed or even wanted to hear, but here we are, and I applaud its bold choices and perfect execution.

The final moments and performance are the perfect cap to the story told here with a great song choice and recreation of a pivotal moment in his life of self-discovery and path forward. Whether you are a fan or not I highly recommend checking out this biography like you have never seen before.

Decide for yourself and grab your copy of Better Man available now on digital, 4K, Blu-ray and DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment.

https://www.hollywoodmatrimony.com/better-man-review

Nice honest review ..

Luke David

@lukewarmdavid

·

2h

Only took me like 5 months to write about one of my favourite films of last year, but hey better late that never I guess. Here's my review of the Robbie Williams monkey movie (and yes, you should definitely see it!) Read it here: https://open.substack.com/pub/filmonology/p/better-man-2024…

Better Man (2024)

Luke David

May 14, 2025

There’s a moment in the 2024 Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man that hit me harder than anything I’ve ever felt before. A sudden rush of overwhelming emotions came crashing down during one of the more quieter scenes of the film that echoed louder than any scream throughout its entire duration up until that point. And that question being, what if I never make it?

Michael Gracey’s Better Man was regretably something I missed seeing in theaters when it came out last year. Surprisingly it was one of my first watches of the year and my God, did this movie deliver! Who would’ve thought that the Robbie Williams monkey movie would have a lot more heart than a lot of other films recently? I mean, this film had no business being this astonishingly good.

The film about the former Take That frontman turned international pop sensation is almost like a cocaine-filled fever dream where Robbie is seen fighting with is inner demons throughout it’s 2 hours and 15 minutes runtime. It’s theatrical, absurd but also incredibly personal and heartfelt, what I would eventually come to learn is much like the man himself who in this film is portrayed as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee.

See unlike what I assume is the film’s target demographic, I did not grow up listening to Robbie Williams, much less know anything about him. So believe me when I tell you that I came out of Better Man a newly baptised RW convert. The masterfully directed film paints Williams’ illustrious career spanning over 3 decades as a messy, loud, self-aware and sometimes uncomfortably intimate artpiece — and maybe that’s exactly why it works.

Much like the music video to his 2000 hit single “Rock DJ,” the film is pretty much the showcase of a man peeling back layers of his life until there’s almost nothing left. Of course, like all biopics not everything that we see here is necessarily what actually happened as biopics often have the tendency to skew with reality to fit the context and narrative that the both the filmmaker and the artist themselves wish to convey. So yes, definitely take this film with a generous grain of salt.

Robbie Williams has said that one of the reasons why he chose himself to be a monkey in this film was because he views himself to be “not as evolved” as everybody else due to acheiving fame at such a young age. Michael Gracey has also added to this by saying that he wanted to approach this film with a different lens, and when he heard Williams say that he’s “just like a performing monkey,” it allowed him the chance to tell this story from the perspective of how Robbie sees himself.

Some sources also claim that they went with the monkey approach so more people in America would see it as Robbie Williams isn’t as famous there than he is in the UK. Whatever the case may be, I feel that this was a genius decision as it makes you feel more empathetic when you see a monkey doing cocaine that it would a person (or maybe that’s just me) because that one scene truly made my stomach turn.

It’s hard to talk about Better Man without mentioning the surreal tone that runs through it like a low hum. Robbie converses with a puppet version of his anxiety. Scenes morph into abstract stage performances mid-dialogue. There are moments when it’s hard to tell what’s memory, what’s fantasy, and what’s just raw pain projected onto the screen. But that’s the magic of it—it doesn’t try to be neat or historically accurate. It tries to be felt.

At its core, this is a film about a man undone by the very thing he craved the most: attention. There’s a devastating scene where Robbie stares out at a sold-out stadium, thousands chanting his name, and he just… folds. The weight of being “Robbie Williams” crushes the man underneath. As a viewer, it hit me in a way that few biopics ever do. Not because I’ve lived that life—but because I’ve worn masks too. Because I know what it’s like to perform happiness when all you want to do is disappear.

And that’s what Better Man gets right. It doesn’t lionise its subject. It doesn’t pretend that every comeback is triumphant. It shows you the ugly stuff—the breakdowns, the bad decisions, the desperate search for meaning in arenas full of strangers. And by the end of it, you don’t walk away thinking, “Wow, what a legend.” You walk away thinking, “God, he survived that?”

It’s a strange, moving, wonderfully bizarre film. Not perfect. Not always coherent. But deeply personal in a way that lingers. I didn’t expect to feel so much. But I did. And isn’t that what great art does?

Whether you’re a fan of Robbie or just someone curious about the cost of fame, Better Man is worth your time. It’s a haunted jukebox full of confessions, and at the center of it is a man still trying to find peace with himself.

And maybe that’s enough.

Better Man (2024) - by Luke David - Filmonology

French premiere inspiration

Another nomination for the movie for dancers.

Chita Rivera Awards

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A DANCE DOCUMENTARY

A Resilient Man, Director: Stephane Carrel

Better Man, Director: Michael Gracey

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, Director: Bruce David Klein

Two Roads, Director: Susan Wittenberg

Who Cares About Pal Frenak, Director: Gloria Halasz

https://www.chitariveraawards.com/index.php/nominations

Who is Robbie Williams, besides a monkey (chimp) who does drugs, drinks and sings? Well he made one of the biggest financial flops of 2024 and we decided to watch it. Maybe it's because no one on this pond knows who Robbie Williams is, but this movie is the biopic snubbed for an Oscar. We follow a musician who left a boy band, Take That (5), and tried to be successful on his own. But it wasn't easy getting there. Plus his relationship with his father and grandma went through the ringer.

https://www.instagram.com/extrapopid/

Better Man: A Box Office Flop; But a True Winner at Heart.

Honestly, before watching Better Man, I knew next to nothing about Robbie Williams. His music wasn’t something I grew up with. The only reason I was intrigued was because it’s directed by Michael Gracey; the mind behind The Greatest Showman, one of my all-time faves. I went in expecting just another musician biopic. What I got instead was something deeply personal, surprisingly emotional, and unexpectedly moving; even as someone who wasn’t already a fan.

This is the story of a boy who felt like an outsider from the start. Robbie grew up feeling ignored and alone, with one of his most painful memories being his dad leaving for a football match and never coming back. Raised by his mom and grandmother, he spent most of his early life chasing recognition, love, and a sense of belonging. That emotional emptiness shaped his entire journey in music.

After a whirlwind rise with Take That and an abrupt exit during their peak, he was left to figure things out solo; facing intense public scrutiny, addiction, and inner battles. But what makes Better Man so powerful is that it doesn’t try to sanitize his story. It shows his vulnerability, unapologetically. One of the most powerful scenes is him singing “My Way” at Royal Albert Hall, with his father by his side; symbolic, raw, and incredibly cathartic.

Visually, the film takes a bold swing. Robbie is portrayed as a primate-like figure instead of a human. It’s strange at first. But over time, it lands. It becomes a metaphor for how Robbie saw himself: different, out of place, yet still standing his ground in his own skin. This surreal touch gives the film a creative edge most biopics lack.

So yes; flop at the box office. But not a flop where it matters.
Better Man is fearless, emotional, and refreshingly honest. It doesn’t rely on chart-toppers or nostalgia; it tells the story of someone who tried to live life on his own terms, scars and all.

My rating: Real Love/10.
Because some stories aren’t about numbers; they’re about what they make you feel.

Great, great review... So many...

The 19 best movies on Paramount+

From classic comedies to recent blockbusters, these films are sure to please.

By Kevin Jacobsen

and Declan Gallagher

Updated on May 5, 2025 11:11AM EDT

Originally launched (to some skepticism) as CBS All Access in 2014, it's safe to say that Paramount+ was ahead of its time. It was, in fact, the first over-the-top service from an American broadcaster. In 2021, during the pandemic theatrical shakeup, Paramount+ rebranded and made a name for itself with an admirable library of films on top of its television offerings.

Picking only 19 of the best movies on Paramount+ was no easy task, but we at EW tried our best. Join us as we run through the list.

03 of 19

Better Man (2024)

Sometimes, a filmmaker takes a big swing and it just doesn't connect. Better Man is one of those rare cases where its gimmick is part of its unique charm, telling the story of British pop star Robbie Williams, who is portrayed in the film as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee. While the beats of Williams' story will be familiar to anyone who's seen other music biopics, director Michael Gracey brings impressive visual flair and stages his musical sequences with precision ("Rock DJ" being his magnum opus).

Williams, who narrates the film, also allows himself to be portrayed in a sometimes unflattering light. As such, EW's critic praises Better Man as "refreshingly honest for a musical biopic that has the involvement of its subject." —K.J.

Where to watch Better Man: Paramount+

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Michael Gracey

Cast: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman

https://ew.com/best-movies-on-paramount-plus-8424386

I Watched Better Man Knowing Little About Robbie Williams. Why I Think The Chimp Decision Was A Great Idea

By Mick Joest published March 24, 2025

It might seem weird, but hear me out.

It's no secret that while pop star Robbie Williams is well-known in many parts of the world, he's pretty obscure as far as celebrities go in the United States. As a result, a decision was made to portray him as an anthropomorphic chimpanzee in his biopic Better Man, and while that sounds like a goofy gimmick, I'll defend it as a great idea for a fantastic movie.

After watching Better Man with my Paramount+ subscription, I'm on board with our review skewing positively on Robbie Williams' story and his journey to stardom. While it's easy to write off this movie as someone who heard the monkey stunt and didn't know anything about Williams, I'm here to say anyone who overlooks it is missing out on a great movie that is one of the more exciting biopics I've seen.

Better Man's Use Of A Chimp Helps Soften Some Of The Horrifically Sad Moments Of The Film

Robbie Williams is a tongue-in-cheek performer, with much of his music hitting on some of the struggles highlighted in more depth in Better Man. I think a difference would be that while singing about cocaine addiction in a song can be sad, the feeling is fleeting because of its length. When faced with it in a biopic, chimp or not, there are some dark moments highlighted at length with some brutal honesty that is hard to watch.

Even before Better Man gets into the throws of drug addiction or the very uncomfortable chimp orgasm scene, we see the heartbreaking origin of where Robbie Williams' quest for superstardom begins. At the heart of the story is a child ultimately seeking his father's approval and only getting it when he reaches the highest peaks of his success.

To be quite blunt, it's a brutally honest and horrifically sad movie that I would say is a little too dark for Robbie Williams' brand. Making the leading character a CGI chimp helps soften the blow of some of the terribly sad moments, and I'll be honest, there are times when it's needed. I think it's worthy of inclusion on our best biopics list, mainly because it does little to defend its subject in some of his worst moments. I think that with a regular actor in the role, some may feel the movie is too dark for Williams in a way that his performances aren't, and having a chimp certainly helps.

The Story Gets So Good You'll Stop Caring He's A Monkey

The unflinching picture of Robbie Williams in Better Man is not pleasant. As an outsider looking in and largely unaware of the real-life events being portrayed, I was shocked that the film doesn't shy away from portraying him as the villain or problem in some of its bigger events. At the same time, we get Williams' perspective on the matter, and we know why he makes the decisions that he does based on his upbringing and the mantra of becoming famous that he carried on throughout his life.

It's nuanced, it's traumatic, and it's so good you honestly begin to stop caring that Williams is being portrayed by a CGI chimp throughout the movie. That's not to say you'll ever forget it, especially when he switches to having bleach blonde hair, but there gets to a point very early in the movie where it just stops being something to get hung up on. I'll be so bold to say that if you get fifteen minutes into this movie and you're still bugged by the fact he's a monkey, you're not paying enough attention.

I think it's because I stopped caring that Robbie Williams was portrayed as a monkey that I began to appreciate Better Man even more. To take such bold subject matter ranging from Boyband exploitation (which is also highlighted in the docuseries Boybands Forever) to drug abuse and have the stone even to consider not playing it straight down the line and potentially win an Oscar for it. That's the kind of move that I've realized only someone like Williams would make.

Better Man Might've Flopped In Theaters, But The Ape Gimmick Was Enough For Me To Check It Out On Streaming

Better Man was a box office flop, but let's get one thing straight: financial success is not always indicative of quality. Plenty of movies with atrociously low scores on Rotten Tomatoes have topped box office charts this year, so don't always follow the money when it comes to movie recommendations.

I think Robbie Williams' biopic has the potential to be one of those movies that gets a lot more buzz now that it's on streaming, or at least that's my hope now that anyone who has Paramount+ has the ability to check it out. After watching, the best compliment I can give is that upcoming biopics have a lot to live up to and will be much harder to tune into without this kind of unflinching honesty front and center of the narrative.

All this to say, maybe you think it's stupid that Better Man decided to portray Robbie Williams as an ape. That's an opinion I would reckon is held by many people who have no interest in watching and won't be checking it out. I assure you, it's the biggest hurdle to overcome in checking out this movie, but once you get over it, you're going to realize like it did that it's not a big deal in the slightest.

Truth be told, I watched it thinking of an angle in mind of whether the chimp decision ended up hurting a movie that would've been solid otherwise. As I've shown extensively through many points above, I don't think this movie is great unless it was done exactly the way it was made. Everyone involved in this movie has something to be proud of with what they accomplished, and I daresay this movie has inspired me to learn a little bit more about Robbie Williams and check out some more of his music. Can't say I felt the same way after watching many other biopics!

Better Man is available to stream on Paramount+. Check it out along with all the other quality movies on the platform, especially if you bundle the streamer with Showtime.

29 May 2025

Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey is not the movie anyone saw coming but it's the one we all needed. I break down why this unappreciated film is a breath of fresh air for the music biopic genre, and why we should all be excited about the emerging freak era with other films like 'Piece by Piece', 'Kneecap', and 'Pavements'.

-- Chapters -- 0:00 - Intro 3:39 - Who is Robbie Williams? 6:55 - Monkey Business 13:30 - It's also a Musical? 19:41 - Fame vs. Artistry... vs. Family 27:14 - Conclusion 28:52 - Outro Patreon:   / elliotroberts   Instagram:   / elliotroberts   Twitter:   / elliotroberts5   TikTok:   / elliot.roberts   Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/elliotroberts Music Featured: ninjoi. - Acceptance - https://thmatc.co/?l=66F475B2

Big thanks to this guy for this detailed analysis and very good editing video. What a professional work.

Really hope for some references of the movie during the tour. It must be seen!

☺️

For those of you who is still thinking about buying DVD and haven't done it yet 😀

On 30/05/2025 at 23:18, Better Man said:

Big thanks to this guy for this detailed analysis and very good editing video. What a professional work.

Really hope for some references of the movie during the tour. It must be seen!

Apart from Rock DJ very little references to Better Man in the tour. I was hoping to find clips of Something Beautiful but nothing so far. I am not even sure if he sang that song in full, Must ask Spiceboy , 🤔