Melania Trump’s new documentary has sparked online debate after achieving one of the widest-ever gaps between critics’ and audience ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Amazon-backed film, Melania, received a critic score of just 8 per cent on the site’s Tomatometer, while audience reactions on the Popcornmeter stood at 99 per cent, prompting speculation that the unusually high viewer rating may have been artificially boosted.
Rotten Tomatoes’ parent company Versant rejected the claims, telling Variety that there had been «no manipulation» of audience reviews. The company said all ratings counted toward the Popcornmeter were verified purchases made through Fandango.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, was released in cinemas at the end of January. While it debuted at number 29 at the UK box office and performed poorly in Britain and Ireland, it exceeded expectations in the United States, earning $7 mln in its opening weekend.
Amazon reportedly spent around $40 mln acquiring the film’s rights, with an additional $35 mln allocated to marketing. Despite enthusiastic audience reviews praising Melania Trump’s portrayal, critical reception has remained largely negative, underscoring the sharp divide over the film’s reception.
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