Born Entertainer

I love biopic movies—they provide tremendous insights into a person’s character and journey. Of course, there is always some level of bias and creative freedom involved, so we often have to take these portrayals with a grain of salt.

That being said, I was particularly intrigued by the creative decision in Better Man, the new biopic about Robbie Williams, to replace the main actor with an ape.

At first, I was baffled by this choice. But as the movie progressed, I began to appreciate its brilliance. The ape served as a perfect metaphor for Robbie’s internal struggles—his wild, untamed instincts, his battle with addiction, and the constant push-and-pull between his public and private self. By the time the credits rolled, I found myself deeply moved, nearly in tears, realizing that this might be the best biopic movie I have ever seen. In my opinion, it’s a masterpiece—bold, innovative, and emotionally powerful.

I’ve always admired Robbie Williams, especially in his later years when he managed to free himself from drugs and other vices. His lyrics and creative expression reveal a man who has been through immense challenges but has come out stronger. Now that we have more insight into his deep internal struggles, his BaZi chart becomes even more fascinating to analyze.

Robbie Williams was born as a Yin Wood Day Master, which is a resilient and adaptable element. However, in his case, this Yin Wood is exceptionally strong due to the presence of two Tiger branches, reinforcing the Wood element. This makes him highly determined and driven, with a strong survival instinct.

One of the most striking aspects of his chart is Yang Fire on the Heavenly Stems, which represents his Performer Talent. This Fire is of exceptionally high quality because it is well-supported by the abundant Wood in his chart. Robbie has often called himself a born entertainer, and this drive for performance largely stems from this Talent. His charisma, stage presence, and ability to captivate audiences are all manifestations of this Yang Fire energy.

Another major influence in his chart is Yang Wood, which represents the Competitor Talent. This Talent is extremely strong in Robbie’s BaZi, making him highly ambitious and determined to stand out. The movie Better Man portrays how, from a young age, he was singularly focused on achieving fame—an obsession that later spiraled into deep psychological struggles. His relentless drive led him to see competitors everywhere, which is a common issue for those with an overly dominant Competitor Talent. When this Talent acts out its negative traits, it fosters insecurity, paranoia, and an inability to trust others.

A fascinating moment in the film is when Robbie expresses that “Robbie the Entertainer” is a separate person from himself and completely out of control. This perfectly aligns with how the Competitor Talent can create an internal split—a dual identity where the public persona takes on a life of its own. This Talent also has a magnetic quality, which explains why he has always attracted such a massive following and an intense fan base.

The choice to portray Robbie with an ape in the movie adds another layer of depth to this narrative. The ape embodies raw, animalistic energy, mirroring the impulsiveness and addiction-prone tendencies associated with the Competitor Talent. It visually represents the chaotic force that ruled over Robbie’s life for so many years, making it a brilliant storytelling device.

From a Dynamic Luck perspective, Robbie entered a strong Fire Luck cycle in 2001, which lasted for 20 years. This period marked the peak of his fame and success. Fire, being his Output Component, thrived on the abundant Wood in his chart while also obtaining Metal, his Power Component. This allowed his chart to reach a well-balanced state, helping him channel his energy into his career more effectively. However, as with many performers, this heightened success also brought personal struggles, as the intense Fire amplified his already strong Competitor Talent, driving his internal conflict to new extremes.

Dynamic Talent Bridge charts are available on our BaZi Hero Android and iOS apps.

A strong dynamic between Wood and Metal Elements made his Influence Dynamic Talent Bridge very active throughout his life.

Now that Robbie is in a different phase of his life, his chart suggests that he has moved beyond his earlier destructive tendencies, which peaked during the Yin Earth Snake period. While the Competitor Talent will always be a part of him, he has learned to manage it more effectively, focusing on his family and personal well-being.

In the end, Better Man does more than just tell Robbie Williams’ story—it creatively brings his inner world to life in a way that deeply resonates with audiences. And from a BaZi perspective, it aligns beautifully with the elements that shape his destiny.

Also published on Medium.