Movie review: Melania

From the rain-slicked streets of Portland to the political suburbs of D.C., student reviewers are weighing in on Melania, the high-budget, high-controversy documentary that hit theaters on January 30.

While Amazon MGM Studios gambled $75 million on the film — reportedly the highest price ever paid for a documentary — student critics remain largely unconvinced, describing a production that feels caught between a “luxury vlog” and a carefully curated political rebrand.

The “Gilded” Boring Reality

A common thread among student reviews is the film’s lack of a traditional narrative arc. Layla Kozbelt and Sara Hadley of George Mason High School in Falls Church, Virginia, noted that while the film offers a “glitzy and glam” look at the First Lady’s life in the 20 days leading up to the 2026 inauguration, it often feels like a “soporific” day-in-the-life video.

They specifically pointed to the scripted nature of her narration, which they felt lacked emotional depth even when discussing serious topics like her mother’s passing or her son Barron’s public nerves.

This sentiment was echoed by Nikoletta Argyropoulos in Benjamin N. Cardoza High School in Bayside, New York, who argued the cinematography—filled with slow-motion walks and designer dresses—creates a “subtle divide” between the political elite and the everyday citizen.

Political Bribes and Production Oddities

Beyond the content of the film, students are deeply interested in the “politics of power” behind the scenes. Giuseppe Lipari of Ida B. Wells-Barnett High School highlighted the project’s financial mystery, noting that despite breaking opening-weekend records for a non-concert documentary, it barely recouped 10% of Amazon’s massive investment.

This has led to widespread theories among student journalists that the purchase was more of a “political move” or a “bribe” to curry favor with the Trump administration rather than a standard business decision. The choice of director Brett Ratner, whose return to the chair follows years of controversy, added another layer of “unintentional glimpse” into Hollywood’s complex dynamics for young reviewers.

A Dissenting Voice: Is it “Worth Watching”?

Not all student feedback was entirely negative. Andrew Etchill of Ann Arbor Huron High School in Michigan offered a more balanced perspective, arguing that for those interested in the “behind the scenes” of a major political event, the movie is worth the runtime.

He found Melania’s unique perspective as an immigrant particularly insightful, especially given the administration’s stance on immigration.

Etchill suggested that while the movie lacks “action scenes,” the sheer access to timeless traditions and the personal safety concerns following assassination attempts provided enough substance for political enthusiasts.

The Rotten Disconnect

The 2026 “Zoscars” approach. The legacy of Melania may be defined by its record-breaking divide on review sites. With a 10% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 1.3/10 on IMDb, yet a 98% verified audience score, student critics like Aloniab Sirak at Edina High School in Minnesota have compared it to other historical “disasters.”

Whether seen as an “expensive propaganda doc” or a “fascination for political nerds,” the student consensus suggests that while Melania has the glitz, it lacks the “grit” required to win over the next generation of cinemagoers.