Music biopicsare hard to master. It is easy formusic biopicsto fall into conventional beats, showing classic scenes such as an artist’s early work, big break, first big concert, and frictions with the industry. That said, 2024 had some promising entries in the genre. The year kicked off withBob Marley: One Love, a Valentine’s Day release that reinvigorated the box office after it got a disappointing start with flops withArgylle.One Loveended up making $180.8 million worldwide, an impressive haul for a biopic.
WhileOne Lovefalls more on the conventional music biopic side, there are plenty of films that have been breaking the boundaries of the genre in recent years. The Elton John-basedRocketmantook a musical approach, for example, putting full-on dance numbers in the film rather than just depicting actual stage performances.Weird: The Al YankovicStorycrafted a fictionalized versionof the parody musician’s story, creating an absurdist tale. One daring music biopic has just been released in theaters, and its Rotten Tomatoes score makes it one to watch out for.
Better Man’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Strong
Audiences Are Especially Loving It
The initial reviews are in forBetter Man, revealing a high audience score. Straying from any biopic convention, the movie tells the story of U.K. based popstar Robbie Williams, but depicts him as a CGI animated monkey. Robbie goes on a journey from working-class kid to international sensation as the simian breaks out in the music industry.Better Manis directed byThe Greatest Showman’s Michael Gracey and features Williams playing himself alongside a supporting cast that includes Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Alison Steadman, and Kate Mulvany. The film was in limited release starting December 25 and will now expand to more theaters this weekend.
Now, theRotten Tomatoesaudience score has been revealed forBetter Man. Among critics, the film has generally been doing well, getting an88% among over 100 critics.ScreenRant’s Mae Abdulbaki enjoyedBetter Man, saying that the movie is not “afraid to delve into the psychological aspects beyond the sensationalism.” The audience is likingBetter Maneven more thus far, giving the movie a94% approval rating.
Our Take On Better Man’s Rotten Tomatoes Score
The Music Biopic Is Getting More Popular
Better Man’s 94% Popcornmeter makes the movieone of the higher-rated music biopics of all time. It transcends that of recent films such asBob Marley: One Love,Bohemian Rhapsody, andRocketman.A Complete Unknown’s audience score was 96%, and combined with thegood reviews forBetter Man, shows an increased audience interest in the subgenre. AsBetter Manbecomes more widely available, it will be interesting to see whether the movie is able to recoup its estimated $110 million budget at the box office, especially given Williams' has never made it big in the United States.
Better Man
Cast
Directed by Michael Gracey, Better Man explores the life and career of singer Robbie Williams through his own eyes.
