Melania Trump is opening up its private world to some critical scrutiny.
The first lady’s new documentary, Melanie, hit theaters on Friday, January 30, following the black carpet premiere at the recently appointed Trump-Kennedy Center the night before.
Acquired by Amazon MGM Studios in a reported $40 million deal, melania highlights the 20 days leading up to the 2025 presidential inauguration in which her husband, President donald trumpwas inaugurated as the 47th president.
“The story is set in motion during the 20 days of my life before the presidential inauguration of the United States,” Melania, 55, said of the film in December 2025. “For the first time, a global audience is invited to theaters to witness the unfolding of this pivotal chapter: a private, unfiltered look as I navigate the journey of family, business and my remarkable lady America. America.”
The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC is one step closer to being named the Trump-Kennedy Center. On December 18, 2025, the White House confirmed that the Kennedy Center board voted to rename the building in honor of President John F. Kennedy. “I have just been informed that the highly respected Board of (…)
After seeing the finished film for the first time, Donald, 79, shared his positive review at the premiere.
“I loved it. I thought it was really great,” she said journalists on Thursday, January 29. “It really brings back a glamor that you don’t see anymore. Our country could use some of that.”
Film critics, however, seem to have a different take on the film. Read on to see what viewers and the public are saying melania:
What is the rating of “Melania” on Rotten Tomatoes?
Melania Trump’s documentary has a 9% rating from critics Rotten tomatoes. The audience rating is unknown at the time of publication because there were not enough verified reviews submitted on opening day. (A “Certified Fresh” critical review on the website is 55 percent.)
What are critics saying about ‘Melania’?
Melania Trump
Samuel Corum/Getty ImagesFilm critics who were able to see melania they soon shared their honest reviews of the finished product.
“Melania it’s a documentary that never comes to life. It’s a ‘portrait’ of the first lady of the United States, but it’s so orchestrated, airbrushed and staged that it barely rises to the level of a blatant ad.” variety shared “Is it cheesy? At times, but mostly it’s inert. It looks like it was stitched together from the most innocuous outings of a reality show. There’s no drama. It should have been called Day of the Living Plot.”
The Hollywood Reporter he described the film as an “expensive propaganda document” that was “brilliantly shot and lushly scored”.
Other critics went straight to the point, with The Independent i the guardian giving the film one of our five stars.
The London Evening Standardhowever, he gave the film a relatively positive review.
“If you take this film for what it is, Melania’s own curated view of herself, then there is one thing she wants to convey, which is that there is human warmth beneath the cheekbones and slanted feline eyes,” the outlet wrote. “Can I just say she looks extraordinary for 55 right now?”
What are ‘Melania’ fans saying?
Although many professional film critics have less than positive things to say melaniasome Rotten Tomatoes viewers seemed to show a different perspective on the film.
“An absolutely delicious behind-the-scenes look at the days before, during and after the inauguration,” one verified RT user wrote. “So many special moments were captured and I am so grateful that Melania chose to share them with the American people.”
Another RT verified viewer added: “Well shot. Playful, funny moments and also heartfelt. Interesting to see behind the scenes of a presidential transition. Loved the soundtrack too!”
One RT user was much more critical of the film, writing: “This documentary is not so much a film as a mirror of high-gloss courtesy. It offers no insight, no tension, and no curiosity about the subject or the power that orbits it.” The note, however, is from an unverified viewer.
What has Melania Trump said about “Melania”?
In celebration of melania upon her release, the first lady answered a series of questions via email to The Hollywood Reporter.
“I think Americans and people around the world should witness the incredible amount of planning and work that goes into going from private citizen to first lady,” she explained to the publication. “I’m proud of every detail.”
melania director Brett Ratner he also praised the subject of the film for not holding back in the whole process.
“He had a theatrical and big-screen vision for the film from the beginning,” he said THR. “Melania didn’t want a documentary. She didn’t want talking heads. She said, ‘Brett, don’t quit.'”