You’ve probably seen the poster by now. It’s a bit jarring. There is a chimpanzee wearing a tuxedo, looking back at the camera with eyes that seem way too human for a primate. No, it isn't a new Planet of the Apes spin-off. It is Better Man, the 2024 semi-biographical film about British pop sensation Robbie Williams.
Honestly, when the trailer first dropped, the internet collectively lost its mind. "Why is he a monkey?" was the only question anyone was asking. It sounds like a joke or a fever dream. But after catching the film, you realize it’s actually the most honest way Robbie could have told his story.
He doesn't see himself as a legend. He sees himself as a "performing monkey."
The Audacity of Michael Gracey
Michael Gracey, the guy who gave us The Greatest Showman, is the visionary behind this madness. He spent about 18 months interviewing Robbie before they even started filming. During those chats, Robbie kept describing himself as "less evolved" than those around him. He felt like a trained animal on a stage, put there to entertain the masses while feeling completely hollow inside.
Gracey took that metaphor and ran with it. Literally.
In the Better Man movie 2024, every single person is human—except for Robbie. His parents, his bandmates in Take That, his rivals—all humans. Robbie is a CGI chimpanzee.
It’s a huge swing.
If it hadn't worked, this would have been the most expensive punchline in cinema history. But thanks to Wētā FX (the geniuses behind Avatar and King Kong), the simian Robbie is heartbreakingly expressive. They used high-res scans of Robbie Williams’ actual eyes, which were layered onto the digital character. When that monkey cries or stares into a mirror with self-loathing, you aren't looking at a cartoon. You are looking at a man’s soul through a very hairy filter.
Who is the man behind the fur?
While the singing is all Robbie Williams, the physical performance belongs to Jonno Davies. He did the motion capture, and he is a beast—no pun intended. He had to capture Robbie’s specific swagger, that "cheeky chappie" grin, and the frantic, drug-fueled energy of the late '90s.
It’s weirdly effective. Because you aren't looking at a famous actor trying to look like Robbie (which usually feels like a wax museum come to life), you just accept the monkey as the character. You stop comparing jawlines and hairpieces and just feel the story.
A Brutal Look at Fame
Don't let the "musical monkey" thing fool you into thinking this is a kids' movie. It is rated R for a reason. This film gets dark.
It tracks Robbie’s journey from a kid in Stoke-on-Trent to being the youngest member of Take That. Then comes the spiral. We see the "meteoric rise" and the "dramatic fall" that most biopics cover, but it’s handled with a raw, almost feral intensity.
- The Take That Years: The tension with Gary Barlow (played by Jake Simmance) is palpable. Imagine being a teenager in the biggest band in the world and feeling like an outsider in your own life.
- The Solo Surge: Watching the "Rock DJ" sequence—shot on a reconstructed Regent Street with 500 dancers—is a pure spectacle. It is bombastic and loud, just like Robbie's peak years.
- The Addiction: The film doesn't sugarcoat the cocaine use or the mental health struggles. There is a scene where Robbie is bleeding out in the snow, having no idea how he got there. It’s harrowing.
Robbie himself has said that watching the film was triggering. He described the first 45 minutes as "cheeky chappie" fun, and then said it turns into Trainspotting real fast.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think the monkey is a gimmick to hide a weak story. It’s actually the opposite. The "performing monkey" concept is a shield that allows the film to be more honest than a standard biopic. Usually, these movies are "hagiographies"—they make the star look like a misunderstood saint.
Better Man makes Robbie look like an idiot sometimes. It shows his arrogance, his petulance, and his deep-seated insecurity. It’s a self-portrait painted by someone who doesn't like themselves very much.
Critical Reception and The Oscar Buzz
Critics have been surprisingly kind. It currently holds a strong 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is impressive for something so "out there."
The big talking point? The visual effects.
The film was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 2025 Oscars. It also snagged a Golden Globe nomination for the original song "Forbidden Road," written by Robbie, Freddy Wexler, and Sacha Skarbek.
Even if you aren't a fan of his music (though "Angels" is still a banger, let's be real), the sheer technical achievement of making a CGI chimp lead a high-stakes drama is worth the price of admission. It’s one of the most innovative music biopics since I'm Not There had six different actors playing Bob Dylan.
Where Can You Watch It?
The Better Man movie 2024 hit limited theaters on Christmas Day 2024 before expanding in early 2025.
If you missed it on the big screen, it’s currently making waves on streaming.
- Paramount+: This is the primary home for the film.
- VOD: You can rent or buy it on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
The runtime is about 2 hours and 11 minutes. Grab some popcorn, but maybe leave the bananas at home—that joke gets old about five minutes in.
Actionable Insights for Viewers
If you're planning to dive into Robbie's world, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Don't Fight the Concept: The first ten minutes will feel weird. Your brain will tell you it's a joke. Just lean into it. Once the music starts, the "monkey" disappears into the performance.
- Listen to the Narration: Much of the voiceover was taken directly from Robbie's private interview tapes. It’s as close to his actual internal monologue as you can get.
- Watch the Background: Pay attention to the "demon monkeys" in the crowd during his big performances. They represent his anxiety and self-doubt watching him from the shadows.
- Check Out the Soundtrack: Robbie re-recorded many of his hits for the film to match the emotional weight of the scenes. "Angels" in the movie hits very differently than the radio version.
This movie is a weird, bold, and ultimately moving tribute to a man who survived himself. It’s not just a biography; it’s a 130-minute therapy session with a massive budget and a lot of CGI fur.