Website Confirms Melania’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Genuine, Not Bot-Driven
The documentary “Melania,” directed by Brett Ratner and backed by Amazon MGM, has stirred significant dialogue surrounding its audience and critic ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. As of the latest update, it boasts a remarkable 99% audience score, contrasting sharply with a mere 7% from critics. This disparity has raised eyebrows, with accusations suggesting possible manipulation of audience reviews.
Denial of Bot Manipulation
Versant, the parent company of Rotten Tomatoes, has firmly refuted these claims. In a statement, they asserted, “There has been no bot manipulation on the audience reviews for the ‘Melania’ documentary.” They clarified that all reviews on the site are verified, indicating that users had purchased tickets to see the film.
Critics’ Perspective
Comedian Jimmy Kimmel highlighted this stark contrast in scores during his February 4 monologue. He remarked, “As of tonight, Melania has a score of 5% on Rotten Tomatoes from the critics. That is very low.” Kimmel immediately compared it to other films, noting, “The audience score for ‘Melania’ is 99% positive, which is 1% higher than ‘The Godfather.’”
Audience Demographics
“Melania” has been noted for its unique audience demographic, with 72% of viewers during its opening weekend being female. Furthermore, 83% of the audience members were over 45 years old. An analysis by PostTrak revealed that nearly 75% of ticket buyers identified as white.
Financial Performance and Historical Significance
Upon its release, “Melania” generated $7 million across domestic theaters. This result is strong for a documentary, but it falls short when considering the film’s acquisition cost of $40 million, along with an additional $35 million spent on marketing. Rolling Stone has reported that “Melania” has achieved the largest disparity between critic and audience ratings in Rotten Tomatoes history.
Conclusion
The conversation surrounding “Melania” emphasizes the complexities of audience perception versus critical evaluation. As the documentary continues its run, the discussions about its scores and viewer engagement are sure to persist.
