Better Man

Better Man (2024) is a bold, surreal biographical musical drama that reimagines the life of British pop star Robbie Williams in a way unlike any music biopic before it. Directed by Michael Gracey, the film takes a daring creative risk by depicting Robbie as a CGI chimpanzee throughout the story—a metaphor for his feelings of being a performing monkey under constant scrutiny. Rather than explaining the choice, the film leans into its absurdity, using it as a symbol of identity, celebrity pressure, and emotional detachment. Robbie’s journey unfolds through a mix of reimagined performances, fantasy sequences, and vulnerable introspection, covering his rise with Take That, explosive solo fame, battles with addiction, depression, and his slow path to redemption. The film features re-recorded versions of his biggest hits—including “Angels,” “Let Me Entertain You,” and “Feel”—woven into emotionally loaded sequences that blur the line between concert and confession. While Better Man struggled commercially, receiving a lukewarm box office response due to its unconventional style and limited appeal outside of the UK and Australia, it earned strong critical acclaim for its fearless storytelling and emotional honesty. Jonno Davies’s performance as the animated version of Williams was widely praised, and the film’s visual effects and musical direction stood out as some of the most inventive in the genre. Despite dividing audiences, Better Man quickly earned cult status for its originality, unfiltered emotion, and refusal to conform to typical biopic formula. Its legacy lies in its willingness to turn vulnerability and ego into surreal art—showing that sometimes the most absurd reflection can reveal the deepest truths.