Stars: 3/5
The much awaited biopic “Michael” about the titular Michael Jackson, was released in theatres on April 24, 2026. It stars Jackson’s own nephew, Jafaar Jackson, and was produced by Jackson’s brother, Jermaine Jackson. The film features phenomenal performances by a variety of actors, featuring big names such as Nia Long and Coleman Domingo as Michael Jackson’s parents.
From the intonations of his voice to the authenticity of his body language and disposition, Jaafar Jackson embodied everything we love about the King of Pop. Actor Juliano Valdi, who played the child version of Jackson, shone in all his scenes. His singing scenes, which were a combination of his own voice and recordings of Michael’s singing as a child, tugged at your heartstrings and made you feel as though you were really watching a young Michael Jackson. Both actors brought the charm and talent needed to portray Michael Jackson. Other notable performances included Coleman Domingo as Joe Jackson, the family’s abusive patriarch, and KeiLynn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray, Michael’s longtime bodyguard.
The movie was incredibly inspiring. Audiences who may not know a lot about Jackson got to learn about how he rose to fame in the Jackson 5, and how he started with his brothers in Motown. The film showed the behind the scenes of Michael Jackson’s creative processes, and how beloved songs and music videos came to fruition.
The scenes of his concerts and performances were so exciting, from the bright lights to the audience, and made you feel as though you were right there cheering alongside the fainting crowd.
Jaafar Jackson truly resembled his uncle at points. I personally left the theater with the inspiration and desire to sing and perform. All around it brought audiences closer to Michael Jackson, and gave them a special and intimate insight into his life.
Though the singer was a very sensitive man, and often said in real life that he did not want to grow up, the movie felt reductive of parts of his life in order to make room for his image as a perfect victim and martyr. The film’s absence of some of the most important parts of his life likely contributed to this one dimensional portrayal of Jackson. For example, the film brushed over all of Jackson’s adolescence. They did not include his participation in the musical “The Wiz” how he left Motown, and most notably, his relationship with Diana Ross. Ross was an incredibly significant figure in Jackon’s life, personally and professionally, since his childhood. The parts that the movie did show felt like they were serving the larger purpose of portraying Michael Jackson as pure and martyr-like as possible. It picked and chose from the most important periods of his life. Another shocking absence in the movie was the singer’s sister Janet Jackson. Not only is she the singer’s sister, but a global superstar who collaborated with her brother.
The fact that several members of Jackson’s family, including siblings Janet, Rebbie, and Randy, and his own daughter, Paris Jackson, didn’t want to be a part of the biopic is very telling. Especially considering that Paris Jackson had said that she prefers, “honesty over sales”. Her words suggest that “Michael” was a very reduced and potentially sanitized version of the King of Pop’s life.
Another notable part of the biopic is that it spanned over Jackson’s life from childhood up until the “Bad” album era. The biopic made no mention or acknowledgement of the sexual abuse allegations against the singer.
Overall, “Michael” was a poignant portrayal of Michael Jackson through his childhood, and his rise to global stardom. It gave audiences the chance to say, “I have tickets to go see Michael Jackson” one last time.
