Robbie Williams fans are finally getting a glimpse of one of the most unusual biopics ever made: Better Man, which depicts the pop star’s ascent to fame with a CGI monkey portraying him.
Set for release on Boxing Day in the UK, the film is directed by Michael Gracey, known for his work on The Greatest Showman, which grossed $435 million and topped the charts worldwide.
Better Man follows Williams, played by actor Jonno Davies through motion capture technology, as he navigates a tumultuous childhood, rises to fame with the boy band Take That, and achieves solo superstardom. Notably, Williams has had 11 out of 12 studio albums reach the top of the UK charts, along with three greatest hits compilations, making him the holder of a record 13 Brit Awards. The film does not shy away from showcasing his wild side, including his struggles with drugs and controversial behavior as a celebrity.
The film has premiered at both the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals, with The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee praising it during its Toronto showing. He noted that while the concept might initially seem like an irritating gimmick—apt for an entertainer known for his quirks—the film ultimately shines. “It’s not only Gracey’s electric style and the central gimmick that make Better Man feel like an upgrade, but also the disarming honesty of Williams and how he’s allowed himself to be portrayed,” he wrote.
The trailer features Williams’ voiceover and highlights Gracey’s talent for staging vibrant song-and-dance sequences, including a spectacular scene under Christmas lights on Regent Street in London, infused with Williams’ trademark irreverence.
Other reviews have echoed this positivity, with Variety remarking that “against all odds, that gimmick works, distinguishing the project from many cookie-cutter pop-star hagiographies.” The review humorously noted, “If you want to see a chimp doing coke with Oasis, or getting a fateful hand job in front of manager Nigel Martin Smith (played by Damon Herriman), this is your movie.”