Melania Documentary Experiences Drastic UK Box Office Decline
The documentary film Melania, focusing on the former US First Lady, has encountered a severe slump in its UK box office performance during its second week of release. According to data from tracking organisation Comscore, the film's revenue plummeted by 88%, dropping to a total of £4,091 from 62 locations. This translates to a site average of £65.98, equating to approximately six tickets sold per cinema venue.
Comparison to US Opening and Overall Figures
In stark contrast to its robust US debut 10 days ago, where it secured the No. 3 position in the box office charts with earnings of $7.2 million (£5.76 million), the UK launch was notably modest. Initially, the film opened at No. 29 in the UK, generating £32,974 across 155 cinemas for a site average of £212.80. The cumulative UK total now stands at £61,850, highlighting a dramatic week-on-week decline. While the US has also seen a significant drop of 67%, it remains less precipitous than the UK's performance.
Critical Reception and Controversies
UK reviews for the documentary have been overwhelmingly negative, with critics lambasting the film. The Guardian's Xan Brooks notably described it as "a gilded trash remake of The Zone of Interest" and "two hours of pure, endless hell." This sentiment reflects a broader trend of critical disdain. Additionally, the film's producer has responded to allegations that the soundtrack used music from Phantom Thread without proper permission, though specific details of the rebuttal were not disclosed in the report.
Audience Reviews and Streaming Prospects
Amid the critical backlash, a spokesperson for Rotten Tomatoes addressed the disparity between professional reviews and audience feedback on their platform. They stated, "There has been NO manipulation on the audience reviews for the Melania documentary," emphasising that reviews displayed on the Popcornmeter are verified, meaning users confirmed ticket purchases through Fandango. Looking ahead, a streaming date for the Amazon film is expected to be announced soon. The company reportedly invested $40 million (£29 million) in acquisition costs, plus an additional $35 million (£25 million) on marketing efforts.
