The Amazon-backed documentary Melania opened in theaters worldwide on January 30, 2026 , but early critical reception has been overwhelmingly negative, with many reviewers dismissing the film as self-serving propaganda rather than a meaningful portrait of its subject, Melania Trump.
The film debuted following a high-profile premiere Thursday night at the Kennedy Center, attended by Trump administration officials and celebrities including Nicki Minaj. Notably, critics were reportedly excluded from the premiere screening, a move that further fueled skepticism surrounding the project.
Massive Budget Raises Questions
Melania has attracted attention not only for its subject but also for its extraordinary cost. Amazon paid approximately $40 million to acquire the documentary, followed by an estimated $35 million for marketing and distribution. According to reports, more than 70% of the licensing fee—over $28 million—went directly to Melania Trump.
Director Brett Ratner has pushed back against claims that Amazon’s investment was politically motivated, denying allegations that the deal was intended to curry favor with the Trump administration. However, some industry figures remain unconvinced, questioning the optics of such a large financial commitment to a film centered on a sitting first lady.
Critics Pan the Film
Despite its lavish budget, box office expectations are modest, with trade publications projecting an opening weekend of around $5 million—well behind competing releases such as Send Help and Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Reviews have been scathing. Critics from outlets including The Guardian, The Independent, Variety, and The Atlantic describe the documentary as empty, unfocused, and devoid of insight. Several reviewers noted that the film offers little beyond footage of Melania Trump moving between events, delivering carefully scripted statements without deeper reflection or context.
Some critics also suggested the documentary functions as a public relations exercise for both its subject and corporate backers, pointing to appearances by high-profile tech figures such as Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg during scenes depicting inaugural celebrations.
Immigration Context Sparks Backlash
The film’s release has proven particularly controversial given its timing. Reviewers highlighted what they see as a stark contrast between Melania Trump’s portrayal of herself as an immigrant success story and the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement actions.
Several critics took issue with moments in which Trump speaks broadly about shared humanity and her personal immigrant journey, arguing that the film fails to address the tension between those sentiments and the administration’s policies. Some called the documentary’s framing insensitive, especially amid reports of immigration raids and aggressive federal enforcement.
Audience response online has mirrored critical sentiment. On Letterboxd, the film has been flooded with half-star ratings, resulting in an average score just above one star. On Metacritic, user ratings have dropped even lower, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction among viewers.
Ongoing Controversy
The documentary’s director has faced renewed scrutiny as well. Ratner’s career stalled after multiple allegations of sexual assault surfaced in 2017, which he denied. While defending the project at the premiere, Ratner described the backlash as overblown and emphasized that the budget supported high-end production values and an expanded docuseries currently in development.
Amazon has continued to defend its involvement, stating that the film was acquired solely because the company believes audiences will enjoy it. Still, critics and former executives have questioned whether such a costly investment can be separated from political influence.
As Melania reaches theaters worldwide, the documentary appears poised to remain a lightning rod for debate—less for its cinematic merits and more for what critics argue it represents.