Melania’s Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score Authentic, Confirms Website
Recent claims surrounding the documentary “Melania” have sparked significant debate regarding its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite a staggering 99% score from viewers, the film received a dismal 7% from critics. This stark contrast has raised suspicions of potential manipulation, particularly accusations of bot involvement to inflate audience ratings.
Documentary Overview
“Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner, documents the life of Melania Trump in the 20 days leading up to her husband, Donald Trump’s, second presidential inauguration. The film debuted with a domestic box office of $7 million, a solid performance for a documentary but not in line with its hefty production and marketing costs—totaling $75 million.
Disparity in Ratings
- Audience Score: 99%
- Critics Score: 7%
- Opening Weekend Revenue: $7 million
- Amazon Acquisition Cost: $40 million
- Marketing Budget: $35 million
The contrasting scores have incited skepticism about the authenticity of the audience reviews. Versant, the parent company of Rotten Tomatoes, has firmly denied any allegations of foul play. In a statement, they emphasized that all audience reviews have been verified, confirming users had indeed purchased tickets to see the film.
Public Response and Critique
Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel addressed these concerns humorously during his February 4 monologue, highlighting the film’s ratings by contrasting them with the notoriously bad film “Gigli.” He urged further investigation into the anomaly, invoking names like Tulsi Gabbard and suggesting a federal inquiry into ticket sales.
The Audience Demographics
PostTrak data sheds light on the audience demographics for “Melania” during its premiere weekend. An impressive 72% of viewers were female, while 83% were over the age of 45. Additionally, nearly 75% of ticket buyers identified as white, underscoring a specific demographic appeal for the documentary.
As “Melania” continues its theatrical run, the discussions around its audience score remain a focal point, establishing it as a unique case in the history of reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. The discrepancy between audience and critic ratings raises questions regarding movie reception and viewer engagement, especially in politically charged times.
