Following in the footsteps of Elton John, Edith Piaf, Claude François, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, and Amy Winehouse, Better Man focuses on the rise of Robbie Williams. Directed by Michael Gracey, the musical biopic will premiere on Paramount+ on June 22, 2026, after hitting theaters and later airing on Canal+.
Better Man
Film | 2024
Release in theaters: 22 January 2025
Available on Paramount+ on 22 June 2026
Musical biopic | Runtime: 2h14
Directed by Michael Gracey | Screenplay: Michael Gracey, Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole
Starring Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton
Nationality: United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Australia
The film traces the rise of the British singer, from his childhood in northern England to his stint with Take That and his solo career. A major pop icon, Robbie Williams also grapples with the excesses, vulnerabilities, and family tensions that come with fame.
The most striking angle of Better Man lies in its portrayal of Robbie Williams as a CGI monkey, brought to life by Jonno Davies. This bold choice, unveiled in Paramount Pictures France’s trailer, gives the biopic a distinctive identity and sets the film apart from more conventional music biopics.
Michael Gracey returns to a terrain close to The Greatest Showman, the film he directed in 2017, blending show-stopping musical numbers with a career-spanning narrative and intimate, revealing storytelling. The movie leans heavily on Robbie Williams’s voice and on songs tied to his journey, from the Take That era to his solo successes.
The trailer for Better Man
Our take on Better Man:
With Better Man, Michael Gracey delivers a masterful and inventive piece that traces the life and career of Robbie Williams. Straddling poignant introspection and spectacular musical numbers, this biopic reimagines familiar conventions to offer a deeply moving and visually daring cinema experience. Jonno Davies, who embodies Robbie Williams in a metaphorical sign-like form, delivers a fresh, captivating performance that sits at the crossroads of intimate confession and flamboyant celebration.
At the heart of Robbie Williams’ identity journey lies a turbulent relationship with his father, Peter, played by Steve Pemberton. A failed artist consumed by fame, Peter abandons his family in pursuit of a glory that will always escape him. This abandonment profoundly shapes Robbie, who grows up believing notoriety is the only way to grab his father’s attention and fill the void his absence leaves behind.
Steve Pemberton’s nuanced portrayal does justice to a complex figure, a dreamer with disillusionment and a distant paternal presence. The scenes where Peter and Robbie cross paths, charged with tension and hope, reveal the artist’s inner struggle—torn between chasing success to please his father and the anger born of abandonment. These interactions deepen the narrative, adding a layer to Robbie’s emotional arc while examining the intergenerational weight of failure and unmet expectations.
One of the film’s bold choices is to depict Robbie Williams as an expressive monkey—a striking metaphor that may surprise at first glance. This playful transformation becomes a subtle symbol for exploring the artist’s inner battles with fame, addiction, and the burden of public image. The offbeat symbolism amplifies the character’s humanity and fragility, lending universality to the story despite its fantastical touches.
The film goes beyond glorifying Robbie Williams’ career. It also delves into his personal relationships, notably with Nigel Martin-Smith, the visionary manager brilliantly portrayed by Damon Herriman. Martin-Smith, the creator of Take That, emerges here as a complex mentor—simultaneously manipulator and builder—whose impact on Robbie is as consequential as it is contradictory. The dynamic between the two characters provides tense, emotionally charged moments that illuminate the shadows behind the spotlight.
As Robbie’s grandmother, Alison Steadman brings welcome warmth and tenderness, anchoring one of the singer’s emotional pillars. Her presence gives the story tangible humanity, grounding the feelings in an authentic family bond. The scenes between Robbie and his grandmother stand out for their sincerity, offering moments of respite and reflection amid the celebrity whirlwind.
True to his style, Michael Gracey delivers a grandiose staging where every musical number becomes a work of visual art. Robbie Williams’ standout songs, such as She’s the One and the Take That hits, are woven organically into the narrative, highlighting the major milestones of his life. The Take That sequence, featuring their iconic Rock DJ filmed in a bold long take through the streets of London, is a true cinematic bravura moment, where the band’s energy and flamboyance explode onscreen. Similarly, the on-boats dance with She’s the One captures the grace and poetry of the early days of his relationship with Nicole Appleton.
Visually, the film alternates between the glitter of the spotlight and darker, more intimate sequences, deftly illustrating the contrasts between public life and private life. Lighting and cinematography play a key role in immersion, as does the sound mix, which places the music at the heart of the cinematic experience.
Under the sparkle of a spectacular show, Better Man offers a clear-eyed look at fame and its excesses. It probes addiction, loneliness, paternal ties, and the sacrifices that come with success, while paying homage to the artist’s resilience. This universal meditation on identity resonates far beyond Robbie Williams’ story, offering a timely reflection on the star system and the public gaze in an intensely mediated world.
The Robbie Williams character surprises with a blend of vulnerability and exuberance. He reveals himself with disarming honesty, while also offering a wry, self-aware view of his own journey. Supported by the remarkable performances of Damon Herriman and Alison Steadman, the portrayal elevates the film to a level of emotion and authenticity rarely found in this genre.
Better Man is not just another musical biopic. It transcends the genre with artistic audacity, emotional depth, and dazzling staging. Michael Gracey achieves the difficult feat of combining spectacle with introspection, delivering a film that will resonate as much with Robbie Williams fans as with devotees of grand human stories.
With Better Man, Michael Gracey delivers a masterful and unforgettable work. This musical biopic, at once bold and poignant, stands as a true celebration of music, resilience, and the complexities of human nature. A true tour de force that will leave a lasting mark on the landscape of musical biopics and strike a chord with everyone who ventures into it.
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