The new Melania Trump documentary, a $75 million Amazon MGM Studios production directed by Brett Ratner, has sparked intense debate since its theatrical rollout this week. Critics and online audiences largely pan it as a glossy flop, with brutal reviews highlighting cringeworthy narration, poor production values, and perceived bias that makes her husband look worse than her. Amid box office struggles—projections hover at $1-5 million opening weekend against massive costs—social media buzz mixes mockery with speculation on its political motives.

Documentary Overview

Released in late January 2026, Melania aims to portray the former First Lady's life from Slovenian roots to White House years and beyond, narrated partly by Melania herself. Promos emphasize her as a "peacemaker" and independent figure, but early trailers drew laughs for awkward scripting and visuals. Amazon shelled out $40 million for rights plus $35 million in marketing, dwarfing typical doc budgets, yet theaters cut screens from 2,000 to 1,400 amid dismal pre-sales in key spots like NYC and Palm Beach.

Critic and Audience Backlash

Reviews on platforms like Letterboxd vanished amid controversy, with survivors calling it profane-worthy cringe—"if shown on a plane, people would walk out," per Variety via social shares. YouTube reactors slam it as a "disaster," citing zero likes on trailers, Epstein file whispers tied to Ratner, and hype that fizzled.

  • Harsh takes : "35 cringey details about her husband," not her; "glorious ratio" online.
  • Supporter views : Rare defenses frame it as fact-based, though drowned out by smears of it being a "political payoff."

"Pure hit job... insulting to watch." – IMDb user on biased tone

Forum and Social Chatter

Reddit and Substack threads dissect it as failed "stop trying to make Melania happen" propaganda, blending gossip on her "victimhood" image with oligarchy jabs. Twitter/Bluesky ratios mock empty hype; one pod laughs at Photoshopped spins and "spy vs. spy" outfits. Trending now (Jan 28, 2026): Will it break even? Bezos' real play? Ties to Trump's Jan 2025 inauguration linger in speculation.

Aspect| Praise (Minority)| Criticism (Majority) 510
---|---|---
Production| Thorough interviews| 1980s vibes, snarky narration 3
Box Office| N/A| $75M cost vs. $5M needed win 7
Bias Claims| "Fact-based reality"| Smear campaign, Trump-focused shade 34
Online Buzz| Niche fans| Mockery, deleted roasts 58

Past Melania Docs Context

Older efforts like 2020's Looking for Melania Trump (IMDb 1-10 stars polarized) faced similar gripes: left-biased, no Melania input, "caged" tropes without proof. This one's bigger budget amplifies the divide—pro-Trumpers see hit job; detractors, desperate hagiography.

TL;DR : Melania documentary review consensus? Box office bomb with savage laughs, not insights—worth skipping unless you're deep in Trump orbit gossip.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.