In a one-star review, The Guardian critic Xan Brooks slammed “Melania” as a film that “doesn’t have a single redeeming quality,” comparing it to a “medieval tribute to placate the greedy king on his throne.” Brooks said the film offers few revelations about its subject, who “moves through the action like a listless automaton, talking constantly but saying nothing.” In another one-star review, The Independent critic Nick Hilton called the first lady a “scowling void of pure nothingness in this ghastly bit of propaganda.” He suggested the film is “part sop to Big Tech companies who require constant regulatory approval for financial manoeuvrings,” citing Amazon’s big investment in the movie and appearances by billionaires Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, who are included in footage of Trump’s inaugural celebrations. The Atlantic writer Sophie Gilbert called “Melania” a “disgrace,” criticizing Trump for profiting off the project while in office. Other critics said the documentary was aimless and that Trump appeared to be uncomfortable being filmed. Variety critic Daniel D’Addario said the documentary is “primarily a film about a woman walking into and out of rooms,” while Gilbert said Ratner “seems desperate to find action, but there is none, stating for much of the film, the camera captures Trump “walking from liminal place to liminal place in five-inch heels.”