Better Man

Play trailer

2:28

Better Man

R

Now Playing

2h 11m

Biography

Drama

Music

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

184 Reviews

90%

Popcornmeter

250+ Verified Ratings

Better Man is based on 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 Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Robbie's 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.

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

Critics Consensus

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.

Read Critics Reviews

David Sims

The Atlantic

It properly delves into its subject’s erratic persona, using the musical segments to advance the story instead of as mandatory breaks in the action. The result is one of the most thoughtfully constructed movies about a musician I’ve seen in years.

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Tasha Robinson

Polygon

While the movie is drawn from Robbie Williams’ life, it’s better to think of it as a fantasy feature. Michael Gracey plays with image and emotion over facts, telling a story through bold, expressive, visually startling sequences.

Rated: 89/100

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Of course, the story arc eventually curves up, but the movie is quite the one-off: a crowd-pleaser that feels like singing along to a psychiatric report.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 15, 2025

Full Review

Vincent Mancini

The #Content Report (Substack)

A Robbie Williams biopic that has the same energy as Kenny Powers pumping himself up by listening to his own autobiography. It's a blast.

Rated: B

Jan 21, 2025

Full Review

Mel Valentin

That Shelf

Co-writer/director Michael Gracey delivers an energetic, sometimes frenetic but never dull, masterclass in pop entertainment [with Better Man].

Jan 21, 2025

Full Review

Sarah Gopaul

Digital Journal

Initially, the non-human face is off-putting, but as the narrative progresses and Williams’ story grows more complicated, it becomes less significant in everyday interactions, while making his delusions more menacing.

Jan 20, 2025

Full Review

Read all reviews

Brian C

whether you are a fan of Robbie Williams or don't really know who he is, this is a compelling story with an original way of portraying the subject of the biopic. It's a truly interesting film about someone who I didn't know at all but enjoyed the experience of his life story so far.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

Full Review

Jason H

A remarkable musical journey with a well placed twist

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Tom B

Why the CGI? I must be missing the deep symbolism.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Danielle

Great biopic and background on Robbie Williams' career. Music is great!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Dave Todd

Better Man is brilliant and touching. It is based on the life, somewhat fictionalized, of Robbie Williams who tells us a story we have read and seen before about pop stardom. Yet it strikes a deeper chord about human feelings told through the life of an ape who grows up to become the most successful solo artist in British history. It is one of the greatest musical biopics ever.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Dinah B

I knew nothing about this movie or its story when I went. It is a British movie. I think the dialogue was hard to understand at times. I don’t enjoy watching people take drugs, treat others badly and try to kill themselves. It was sad and hurtful. I wish I would have walked out when it started. The music wasn’t even good.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Michael Gracey

Director

Robbie Williams

Self

Jonno Davies

Robbie

Steve Pemberton

Peter

Damon Herriman

Nigel

Raechelle Banno

Actor

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Better Man: Movie Clip - She’s the One

1:05

Better Man: Movie Clip - Regent Street

1:12

View more videos

Bob Marley: One Love

43%

91%

Bob Marley: One Love

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Bob Marley: One Love

A Complete Unknown

79%

96%

A Complete Unknown

Watchlist

TRAILER

for A Complete Unknown

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

43%

92%

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

Stardust

19%

21%

Stardust

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Stardust

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Better Man: Featurette - Directing Regent Street

1:54

Better Man: Better Man Featurette - Directing

1:48

Better Man: Exclusive Featurette - Story

1:42

Better Man: Trailer 1

2:28

Better Man: Trailer 1

2:28

Better Man: Featurette - Why the Monkey

0:58

Better Man: Teaser Trailer

1:11

View more videos

View more photos

Synopsis

Better Man is based on 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 Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Robbie's 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.

Director: Michael Gracey
Producer: Paul Currie, Michael Gracey, Coco Xiaolu Ma, Jules Daly, Craig McMahon
Screenwriter: Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Lost Bandits, Footloose Productions
Rating: R (Nudity|Drug Use|Pervasive Language|Sexual Content|Some Violent Content)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 10, 2025, Wide
Box Office (Gross USA): $88.1K
Runtime: 2h 11m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

Most Popular at Home Now