Following in the footsteps of Elton John, Edith Piaf, Claude François, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Bob Marley and Amy Winehouse, the life of another artist with an impressive musical career is about to be brought to the big screen. Called Better Man, this biopic is dedicated to British star Robbie Williams.
The trailer for Better Man reveals a biopic as unexpected as it is spectacular, in which Robbie Williams is embodied by a digital monkey. An audacious project in the artist's image.
Better Man premieres on Canal+ on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 9:10 PM.
Synopsis: The story of Robbie Williams, the legendary British singer-songwriter. Rising to fame as part of the boy band Take That in the 1990s, he soon spiraled into the excesses of fame before making a triumphant solo comeback in 1997 with the hit single "Angels".
But be warned, this biopic promises to be particularly unusual. The film's director, Michael Gracey, has chosen a CGI monkey to play the singer's role! It's a quirky way of evoking the life and career of this immense artist, who made his debut in the 1990s with Take That.
Australian Michael Gracey is no stranger to directing. In 2017, he directed the musical film The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron and Michelle Williams. In 2021, for Amazon Prime Video, he turned his attention to the singer Pink through the documentary film P!nk: All I Know So Far, which follows the singer on her"Beautiful Trauma" world tour in 2019.
In 2025, the director and visual effects artist honors Robbie Williams in a quirky biopic, in which the main protagonist is represented by a computer-generated chimpanzee. Behind the monkey is actor Jonno Davies.
" I know what you're thinking. What's up with the monkey? I'm Robbie Williams. I'm one of the biggest pop stars in the world. But I've always seen myself as a little less evolved," explains Robbie Wiiliams in a first trailer unveiled by Paramount Pictures.
Our Review of Better Man :
With Better Man, Michael Gracey delivers a masterful and inventive work, chronicling the life and career of Robbie Williams. Blending heartfelt introspection with spectacular musical sequences, this biopic reinvents genre conventions to create a deeply emotional and visually daring cinematic experience. Jonno Davies brings Robbie Williams to life through a metaphorical depiction as a sign, offering a fresh and captivating performance that oscillates between intimate confession and flamboyant celebration.
At the core of Robbie Williams' identity struggle is a tumultuous relationship with his father, Peter, played by Steve Pemberton. An unsuccessful artist obsessed with fame, Peter abandons his family in pursuit of a success that always seems just out of reach. This abandonment leaves a profound mark on Robbie, who grows up believing that notoriety is the only way to attract his father's attention and fill the void left behind.
Pemberton’s nuanced portrayal captures a complex character—disillusioned dreamer and distant paternal figure alike. Scenes where Peter and Robbie interact, tinged with tension and hope, reveal the artist's inner conflict: a desire to succeed to please his father versus the anger stemming from abandonment. These moments deepen the emotional layers of Robbie's journey, exploring the intergenerational weight of failure and unmet expectations.
The daring choice to depict Robbie Williams as an expressive monkey stands out as one of the film’s most striking stylistic decisions. While initially surprising, this metaphor artfully explores Robbie's internal struggles with fame, addiction, and the pressures of his image. Though surreal, this symbolic element amplifies the character’s humanity and fragility, giving the story universality despite its fantastical undertones.
The film not only celebrates Robbie Williams’ career but also delves into his personal relationships, notably with Nigel Martin-Smith, the visionary manager played brilliantly by Damon Herriman. Martin-Smith, the architect behind Take That, is portrayed as a complex mentor—both manipulator and builder—whose influence on Robbie is as impactful as it is contradictory. The dynamic between the two adds tension and emotional depth, shedding light on the less glamorous side of stardom.
Alison Steadman brings warmth and tenderness to the role of Robbie's grandmother, anchoring the story with a genuine familial bond. Her presence adds a tangible human touch, providing moments of solace and reflection amid the chaos of fame. The scenes between Robbie and his grandmother stand out for their sincerity, offering heartfelt pauses within the narrative.
True to his style, Michael Gracey crafts a spectacular staging where each musical number becomes a visual feast. Iconic Robbie Williams tracks like She’s the One and hits from Take That are seamlessly woven into the story, highlighting key moments in his life. The standout sequence—filmed in a daring single take on the streets of London during Take That’s performance of Rock DJ—is a cinematic tour de force, capturing the group’s explosive energy. Similarly, the dance duet on a boat set to She’s the One beautifully depicts the tender beginning of his relationship with Nicole Appleton.
Visually, the film shifts between shimmering spotlight scenes and darker, more intimate sequences, skillfully portraying the contrasting worlds of public life and private vulnerability. Cinematography and lighting play crucial roles in immersing viewers, as does the sound design, which places music at the heart of the storytelling experience.
Underneath the dazzling spectacle, Better Man offers a sharp and sincere reflection on fame and its excesses. It tackles themes of Addictions, loneliness, paternal relationships, and the sacrifices of success, ultimately paying homage to Robbie Williams' resilience. Its universal narrative about the search for identity resonates far beyond his story, providing insight into the star system and the complex relationship between celebrities and their audiences in today’s media-saturated world.
Robbie Williams’ character is presented as a blend of vulnerability and exuberance. His portrayal is refreshingly honest, infused with humor and a self-critical edge. Supported by outstanding performances from Damon Herriman and Alison Steadman, the film rises to a level of emotional depth and authenticity rarely seen in musical biopics.
Better Man is not your typical musical biopic. It defies conventions through its artistic daring, emotional richness, and striking visual style. Michael Gracey manages the tricky balance of spectacle and introspection, delivering a film that will resonate both with Robbie Williams fans and enthusiasts of compelling human stories.
With Better Man, Michael Gracey creates a stunning, unforgettable piece. This bold and heartfelt musical biopic stands as a genuine tribute to music, resilience, and the complexity of human nature. A masterpiece that is destined to leave a lasting mark on the landscape of musical biopics and touch everyone who ventures into its story.
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