Melania opened in theaters on Friday, a day after its premiere at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The documentary follows first lady Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to her husband, President Donald Trump’s second inauguration in January 2025.
The 104-minute documentary, directed by Brett Ratner and executive produced by the first lady herself, has carried a hefty price tag: Amazon paid $40 million for it and another $35 million for marketing, totaling around $75 million, making it one of the most expensive documentaries of all time.
Newsweek saw the film in theaters in New York City on Friday, with three other people in attendance. It was about 10 degrees outside, and the showing was in the morning on a workday, so a big crowd wasn’t expected. But reports from other locations have also described sparse turnout and soft box-office expectations so far, with a WIRED analysis finding only two sold-out theaters in the United States: one in Florida and one in Missouri.
Here are the key takeaways from Melania.
Melania’s Eye For Style
Much of the documentary centers on the first lady’s style, with the opening scene lingering on her high heels and the camera frequently trained on her silhouette and sleek, elegant look.
In the opening minutes, the documentary brings viewers inside Trump Tower as Melania Trump meets with designer Herve Pierre to discuss her inaugural look. A former model, she offers hands-on feedback during the fitting, pointing out where she wants pieces tightened, reshaped or smoothed.
“It’s fantastic because we speak the same language…It’s a completely different kind of vocabulary,” Pierre says at one point.
Throughout the documentary, Melania is shown in sharp, angular outfits, repeatedly asking Pierre to tighten lines. She frequently appears in tailored suits paired with high heels.
Beyond her fashion sense, the documentary highlights Melania’s interest in broader design, showing her involvement in planning the candlelight dinner’s aesthetics on the eve of the inauguration and in selecting furnishings and decor for the White House after the Bidens’ departure.
“My education in architecture provides me with a serious design approach,” she says, adding, “For me it’s important that timeless elegance shines through every element of the inauguration’s decor, style and design.”
Melania’s Mother’s Legacy
Melania Trump speaks about missing her mother, Amalija Knavs, throughout the documentary, noting the legacy she left behind and how she remembers her.
The filmmakers follow the first lady to former President Jimmy Carter’s state funeral, which was held on January 9, 2025, a date significant to Melania.
“The funeral falls on a day that weighs heavy on my heart,” she said. “January 9 is the day my mother passed away one year ago. It was one of those days that you know will come, but you can never truly prepare for. The only thing we can do is cherish the moments we have with our family and loved ones while they’re still with us.”
After Carter’s burial, Melania returns to New York City to pay tribute to her mother at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where she lights a candle in her memory.
She credits her mother, who worked in fashion, with cultivating her deep appreciation for great design.
“My beloved mother was the richest thread in my life, weaving warmth, wisdom, and grace into every moment we shared. Mourning the loss of my mother will always remain. The mourning never leaves. It simply lives alongside me,” Melania said.
Be Best Initiative
In terms of the legacy she hopes to leave, Melania focused on her “Be Best” initiative, which she spearheaded during her husband’s first term in the White House in 2018. The public awareness campaign aims to support children and their well-being, and the documentary shows her speaking with other world leaders to collaborate on it, including France’s first lady, Brigitte Macron.
“I will continue ‘Be Best,’ and I will expand. With the world leaders, if we group together, I feel like we have a voice,” Melania said.
She also spoke about her Fostering the Future sub initiative, which, according to her website, “secures educational opportunities and scholarships for children in the foster care community.”
Post-Assassination Attempt Safety Concerns
Several times in the documentary, the first lady speaks about safety concerns, including her apprehension about stepping outside during the inaugural parade in Washington, D.C. Months earlier, President Trump was the target of an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
“Because if we go out, I think people will already know where we would go out,” Melania said to the planning team, adding, “So it’s kind of like, how could that be safe? Especially with the last year, what’s going on and stuff. I have concerns, honestly. And I know Barron will not go out of the car. I respect that. That’s his decision,” she said, referring to her teenage son.
When the inauguration got moved inside due to weather concerns, Melania said, “In truth, I was relieved. Being in a more secure and closed space brought a certain peace of mind.”
The documentary also shows her traveling with high security.
Peek Inside Trump’s Penthouse
Early in the film, viewers are taken inside the Trump Tower penthouse in New York, an opulent space decorated in a Versailles style, with heavy use of gold, marble and mirrored surfaces. The front door is briefly seen, covered in gold and jewels. The European palace-like apartment, which is three floors of the Trump Tower, is striking and lavish.
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