There are plenty of ways to spice up a biopic, a genre of film often derided for being exasperatingly formulaic. You can play with multiple timelines, focus on a singular, specific moment in someone’s life—or,

US movie goers have claimed that they have never heard of pop star Robbie Williams and have plenty of questions about his biopic and why a monkey plays his character

In 'Better Man', premiering Dec. 25 in theaters, Robbie Williams is portrayed by actor Jonno Davies, in the form of a CGI chimpanzee.

First reviews are in and critics have given Robbie Williams' musical biopic Better Man excellent ratings. The semi-biographical film chronicles the singer's quick ascent to stardom as a member of Take That and subsequent precipitous decline as he grappled with his inner demons and the difficulties that come with fame.

This new film showing Robbie as a CGI chimp is all about his inner world - but cathartic as it is, he's not entirely free

All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission. Jonno Davies plays Robbie Williams as a chimp in "Better Man" from Paramount Pictures.

Let chimpanzee entertain you in a wonderfully bizarre — but still formulaic — musical from the director of "The Greatest Showman."

Review - Robbie Williams' depiction of himself as a stunningly photorealistic simian/pop star hybrid in his biopic movie fits with his amped-up brand, writes Dan Slevin.