Robbie Williams may be best known to some Americans as the cheeky pop star who famously stripped down in a roller disco for his “Rock DJ” music video, or for his heartfelt 1997 ballad “Angels.” However, a new biopic titled Better Man aims to change that perception. The film’s trailer reveals a unique twist: Williams is portrayed as a monkey through performance capture by Jonno Davies.
Better Man chronicles the true story of Robbie Williams, detailing his “meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence” as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film captures Williams’ signature humor and indomitable spirit from his own perspective.
Davies performed all the motion capture and provides Williams’ speaking voice, while the singer himself narrates the film and contributes his iconic music. Williams often expressed to Gracey that he felt like a monkey entertaining others, leading the director to creatively depict this idea in the film.
As with most biopics, Better Man explores Robbie’s journey from childhood to becoming the youngest member of the wildly popular boy band Take That. It delves into his career as a record-breaking solo artist while confronting the challenges that come with massive fame.
In many ways, Williams was the Harry Styles of his era, with Take That being akin to One Direction—though arguably even more successful. With 12 No. 1 singles in the U.K. and over 14 million albums sold, Take That remains the most successful boy band in U.K. history. Formed in 1990, the band went their separate ways after Williams left in 1995, breaking the hearts of many fans.
As a solo artist, Williams achieved remarkable success, scoring seven U.K. No. 1 hits and releasing 13 No. 1 albums, six of which rank among the U.K.’s top 100 best-selling albums. Yet, like many troubled superstars, he faced significant challenges, battling mental health issues, obesity, self-esteem struggles, alcoholism, and substance abuse.
While U.S. audiences might not readily recognize Take That’s songs or Williams’ solo hits, the impact of their work paved the way for future pop phenomena, much like the Spice Girls did in the late ’90s. In a sense, Williams’ daring performances laid the groundwork for artists like Styles, showing that the journey of pop stardom is often fraught with trials and tribulations. So here’s to Robbie, whose artistic legacy continues to resonate.