The documentary about Melania Trump, former US First Lady, had a lukewarm reception at the box office in the UK and Ireland, sparking a range of reactions from critics. But here's the intriguing part: the film, aptly named 'Melania', brought in a modest €37,992 during its opening weekend, a figure that pales in comparison to other releases.
This biographical film, focusing on the 20 days before her husband, Donald Trump, returned to the presidency in 2025, was released in 155 cinemas, earning an average of €245 per site. However, it ranked a distant 29th in the highest-grossing films from January 30th to February 1st, according to the British Film Institute (BFI).
Now, this is where it gets controversial. The documentary was described as 'shameless propaganda' by The Irish Times, while the Guardian awarded it a scathing zero stars. The Telegraph took a different view, labeling it a 'branding exercise' with 'North Korea-style propaganda' elements. And the New York Times called it a 'carefully stage-managed' portrayal of the days preceding Trump's second term.
With such varied opinions, one can't help but wonder: was this documentary a genuine insight into the life of Melania Trump, or a strategic publicity stunt? The box office numbers may not reveal the whole story, but they certainly spark intriguing discussions about the intersection of politics, cinema, and public perception.
