Brett Ratner’s new documentary, Melania, pulled in nearly $8 million during its opening weekend making it the biggest-grossing documentary in a decade. That’s no small feat, especially considering the hostile coverage from outlets like Variety and The Guardian. For supporters of the first lady, this is a clear win; for her critics, it’s a reality check.
Ratner, known for Hollywood blockbusters like Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand, isn’t exactly a fringe filmmaker. The fact that he took on a project about Melania Trump is significant. Back in 2017, a documentary celebrating the first lady would have faced near-impossible pushback from Hollywood, which has long been quick to punish anyone straying from the left-leaning consensus. In 2026, it’s a little easier but still bold.
The film itself offers a polished, behind-the-scenes look at Melania Trump’s life as first lady. It’s a soft-focus, feel-good portrait that goes beyond the headlines and tabloid rumors. Of course, the mainstream media didn’t care about the substance. Variety dismissed it as a “cheeseball infomercial of staggering inertia,” and The Guardian called it “dispiriting, deadly and unrevealing.” In other words, they attacked it not on merit, but because it’s about someone they’ve long opposed.
But viewers see a different story. Melania isn’t just the stylish figure in public appearances she’s a thoughtful, engaged partner. One memorable scene shows her advising the president to include the word “unifier” in his inaugural speech. As he delivered the line, he looked to her for support. It’s a subtle but powerful moment that highlights her care for the country and for her husband’s success something the media consistently refuses to acknowledge.
The documentary also addresses false narratives about their marriage. Melania’s concern for her husband’s safety on Inauguration Day, her relief when events were moved indoors, and her own words throughout the film make it clear: this is a real, caring partnership. Claims that their marriage is purely transactional fall flat when you see her genuine involvement and support. Even in a 2018 interview with ABC, she calmly said, “I know people like to speculate and media like to speculate about our marriage. It's not always pleasant, of course. But I know what is right and what is wrong and what is true or not true.” This film gives her the platform to show exactly that.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Melania is also breaking records for the gap between critic scores and audience scores. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. Critics entered the film with pre-set biases, while the public who paid to see it responded honestly. Supporters of the first lady and of the president are proving that genuine interest and enthusiasm can’t be dismissed by media hostility.
The choice for the media is clear: they can continue to dismiss and smear Melania, or they can give her the fair hearing she deserves. Given how the public has responded, it seems the American people aren’t waiting for the media to catch up they’re already making their own judgment.
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