Better Man Streaming Release: Everything You Need to Know

Take that, movie fans …

Posted on Mar 11, 2025 | 07:00am

Filled with the songs and told from the singular perspective of musician Robbie Williams, the Oscar®-nominated Better Man is a film based on the pop icon’s life and career, and shows how a young dreamer became one of the greatest entertainers of all time.

Lauded as “wildly inventive” and “jaw-dropping,” this movie drama is streaming now on Paramount+. Keep scrolling to learn everything you need to know about the Better Man, including the synopsis, cast list, and the answers to all your biggest, burning questions.

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**What is Better Man about?**

Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of the British pop superstar Robbie Williams. Williams’ musical journey begins in childhood, continues when he becomes the youngest member of chart-topping boy-band Take That, and endures through his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist. Through it all, he must confront the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring, and he does it the only way he knows how: with an unflagging wit and an indomitable spirit.

And though it's not part of the plot, Better Man is distinguished by what CBS News called its "unique portrayal" of its subject. Or as Robbie Williams asks in the film's official teaser trailer, "I know what you're thinking: What's with the monkey?"

**Why is Robbie Williams a monkey in Better Man?**

So, yes, about that … If you've seen clips or publicity materials from Better Man, you've noticed that Robbie Williams is depicted in the film as a primate. And there's a perfectly good reason for that.

“This is my story. But I’m not gonna tell it in an ordinary way – because I don’t see myself how others see me,” Williams is heard saying in the official trailer for Better Man. “... To be honest, I’ve always been a little less … evolved.”

In an interview with Vladimir Duthiers of CBS Mornings, Williams said that the idea of being portrayed on screen as a CGI chimpanzee came from Better Man director Michael Gracey, and that Williams “loved it straight away … [because his] life and whole career is based on audacity, and this feeds into audacity one-hundred percent.”

Later in the segment, Duthiers notes that Williams “originally wanted to be portrayed [in the movie] as a lion” but that, in reality, the musician “thought of himself as a performing monkey.” This self-assessment led the filmmakers to make the Williams' character simian. Actor Jonno Davies was enlisted to provide vocal and motion capture work to help in bringing the CGI chimp to life. It’s Davies lending his speaking voice, body movements, and facial expressions to the chimp version of Robbie Williams; Williams himself provides the singing voice and the movie’s voiceover narration.

**Who’s in the cast of Better Man?**

Here's a rundown of the Better Man cast – and the characters they play:

Robbie Williams as Robbie Williams (narration and singing voice)
Jonno Davies as Robbie Williams (speaking voice and motion-capture acting)
Steve Pemberton as Peter Williams
Alison Steadman as Betty Williams
Kate Mulvaney as Janet Williams
Damon Herriman as Nigel Martin-Smith
Raechelle Banno as Nicole Appleton
Jake Simmance as Gary Barlow
Rafferty Gleeson as young Gary
Liam Head as Howard Donald
Jesse Hyde as Mark Owen
Chase Vollenweider as Jason Orange
Tom Budge as Guy Chambers
Leo Harvey-Elledge as Liam Gallagher
Chris Gun as Noel Gallagher
Frazer Hadfield as Nate
Leatham Blisand as young Nate
Anthony Hayes as Chris Briggs
John O'May as Terry Swinton

**What is Better Man rated?**

Better Man is rated R by the Motion Picture Association (MPA).

**What was the release date of Better Man?**

Better Man had a limited theatrical release on December 25, 2024, and opened to wider release on Jan. 17, 2025. As of publication, it's a Certified Fresh-designated hit on the film-review site Rotten Tomatoes.

**When is Better Man available to stream?**

Better Man is currently available to stream on Paramount+.

What was Better Man nominated for at the 2025 Oscars®?

At the 2025 Oscars®, Better Man was nominated in the Best Visual Effects category.

Better Man also received a nomination for Best Original Song at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards® on January 5. The nominated song, titled “Forbidden Road,” was written by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, and Sacha Skarbek.

How do I sign up for Paramount+?

You can sign up for Paramount+ online at ParamountPlus.com, and on mobile devices via the Paramount+ app for iOS and Android. (CC required. T&Cs apply.) Choose your streaming device from the list below, and read the instructions on how to get started:

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