Michael
Directed by Antoine FuquaThe story of "King of Pop" Michael Jackson. From his childhood as the star of the Jackson 5, through times of abuse by his father Joe Jackson, to breaking away and making the hit album Thriller and claiming his independence as a solo artist.
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Michael Ratings & Reviews
- darsan23 April 2026colman domingo was great as joseph jackson, jafaar jackson was perfect as michael jackson, and michael jackson's songs were PEAKK in dolby atmos.
- The Active Wave1 day agoJaafar is absolutely crushing it in this film . It’s so surreal having a Jackson playing the legendary Jackson . The performances by jaafar are magical and unbelievable. It’s like being in a real Michael concert . But anything else about the film is very generic biopic that doesn’t try to do anything very interesting or unique. solely focusing on the visual and performances. Which is a good thing and fans will enjoy this a lot . But not enough as a film
- Todd at ADHD.rocks2 days agowas good, didn't feel long enough though.
- moodp03 days agoIt's like being there in the stadium front row live in the last 15 minutes.
- joshuacottle307 days agoI really enjoyed this movie. The casting was perfect for Michael and the rest of the Jackson’s. The music was great. Only flaw is it did kinda feel like one giant music video, which I hope for the 2nd one it will explore more beyond the music and the consequences of being so famous. Overall, still an outstanding movie about the king of pop.
- fabiolamarcano5107 days agospecial ❤️
- Oʂɯαʅԃσ Rσყҽƚƚ3 days agoMichael strictly follows the playbook for biopics: condensing a massive life into a few hours and relying on spectacle to hold it all together. And, to be fair, it works. The performances, the music, and the energy on screen make the film flow effortlessly
- ርልዪረ5 days ago♛ℳ𝒥♛ Don't just watch it. Feel it. This film goes beyond simply telling the story of Michael Jackson. It pulls back the curtain and lets you experience something deeper, something more personal. It gives you a sense of his spirit, his sensitivity, and the emotional world that lived behind the global icon. What stayed with me the most is Jaafar Jackson's performance. Yes, he delivers on the movement, the rhythm, the precision, all the elements people expect. But what truly elevates his work is the emotional and spiritual connection he brings. This is not just imitation. It feels internal. The quiet moments, the stillness, the way he carries himself, all of it translates into something powerful. You're not just watching a performance, you're feeling a presence. His connection with the cast adds even more depth. Nia Long brings warmth and grounding as Katherine, showing the love and care that shaped Michael's inner world. Their dynamic feels genuine and full of heart. And then there is Colman Domingo, who delivers one of the most layered portrayals in the film. Joseph is not reduced to a single note. You see the discipline, the harshness, but also glimpses of complexity and humanity. The film allows space to understand where he comes from, without ignoring the impact he had. That balance is important, and it's handled with care. I also appreciated how the film highlights the father figures who entered Michael's life. You can feel the influence of Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, and Bill Bray, each representing guidance, protection, and a sense of stability that Michael was searching for. It adds another emotional layer to his journey. The smaller details are just as meaningful. The portrayal of Vitiligo is handled with care and subtlety, appearing across different moments in a way that feels natural and honest. It's not just mentioned, it's integrated into his lived reality. The film also doesn't forget Michael's humanitarian side. The hospital visits, his connection with children, those moments are deeply emotional and remind you of the compassion that defined him just as much as his artistry. The Pepsi commercial accident 1984 sequence stands out as well. It's recreated with intensity and respect, capturing both the shock of the moment and its lasting impact. And the younger version of Michael, portrayed by Juliano Krue Valdi, brings a touching vulnerability. You feel the pressure, the loneliness, and the longing of a child trying to find his place in a demanding world. Of course, as fans, we always want more. There are figures like Diana Ross and Elizabeth Taylor whose presence in his life was significant, and it would have been interesting to see them explored. But at the same time, this is not about including everything. It's about the story this film chooses to tell. And for me, it works. Because at a certain point, you stop thinking about what could have been added. You let go of expectations and just experience what's there. This is someone else's vision, and it stands on its own. What we get is a powerful beginning. A glimpse into the making of a legend. A film that doesn't try to say everything, but instead invites you to feel something real. And I did.
- carter28824 days agoMicheal is a great biopic. The film masters Micheal Jackson’s story very well and is pretty on par with everything. The film visually looks very well with great shots, editing, costume designs, and a great 1960-1990s look to it. The cast all does a great job at their roles. The music of course is amazing. The film should have been one movie instead of breaking it into two parts. The movie does set up a lot for the sequel and kind of makes the film feel like it’s rushed. The pacing is a little off but it’s nothing to big. Overall this was a great film that I definitely recommend for all of the Micheal Jackson fans.
- cbh4k4 days agoIt was so beautiful like I can’t even explain it but jafaar did a good job at being he’s uncle and I’m hoping jafaar gets the Oscar
- Ricardo Saavedra4 days agoJaafar jackson is the only good thing about the movie, the guy is really good. There's no story, only a lot of parts of his artistic life...
- James Saenz7 days agoi wonder if anybody involved with the production of this picture sees the irony in making a film about familial exploitation of michael’s talent and fame early in his life while the film itself is just a postmortem version of that. it’s quite telling that both janet and paris jackson wanted nothing to do with this film and their critiques throughout production went on unaddressed. what could’ve been a thoughtful examination on a complex individual so formative to the pop culture of the late 20th and early 21st centuries is essentially reduced to a series of greatest hits moments early in michael’s career interspersed between moments of weightless melodrama. there’s no rhyme or reason to the pacing of the film or what it chooses to put some cursory focus on before abruptly dropping it for the next beat. the most egregious example of this involves the production of the “beat it” music video, where michael watches newscasts of the gang violence in los angeles and seeks to rebuild bridges through song and dance. the portrayal of his recruitment of crips and bloods feels hollow, and they’re relegated to being background hype men for his dance rehearsal. in the lens of the camera they’re naught but props for michael’s image. and that’s the main problem with this biopic: its main concern is not with michael’s internality or passions or struggles, but his image. sure, these things exist within the film, but only superficially and as setups to cast michael in a positive light; layers of gauche, hallmark channel veneer brushed over real world problems and relationships. his image and legacy are paramount to exploring the truth or anything with real bite to it. michael’s family outside of his father are so two dimensional if they turn ninety degrees they’d disappear. michael’s blackness is only ever addressed in a meeting with a cbs executive in what feels like lackadaisical pandering to a sense of moral superiority. racism is real and prevalent in america, especially hollywood and the music industry, but the film is too scared or too apathetic to address anything with scrutiny outside of milquetoast acknowledgement, because the main goal here is to make the viewer feel good and comfortable. that’s just how the film treats michael and his story. an inoffensive cash grab that ends up feeling offensive for how detached it feels from its protagonist; it treats him as a concept rather than a person. jaafar jackson provides depth to his performance that both the screenplay and director feel uninterested in exploring. as a musical biopic it’s also so disengaging, propelled forward by sheer power of the music and choreography. after watching better man in theaters last year, a film that grapples with father-son dynamics with far more depth and respect for both the audience and the people it depicts, a film that actually uses the medium of film in creative and stunning form, i expect better of musical biopics now. the best moments of the film are honestly moments where michael watches much better films with his mother, like singin’ in the rain and night of the living dead. what was the most disappointing thing in this entire experience was the fact that i sat through this movie with others, the film equivalent of a vimeo biography video, and at the end the audience applauded.
- preston.j57 days agoExcellence. Precision. Accuracy. This biopic film honoured the truth and spirit of MJ. His nephew did a stunning study & performance of his uncle to the point that he did every tone, sound, movement, quirk, habit and mannerism so perfectly that it convinces viewers that this was actually played by Michael himself. Every facial expression, micro-emotion was conveyed and was believable. The directors and producers paid so much attention to detail that each still frame matched what had happened in the originals. From the concerts, ads, music videos to the photoshoots. I watched MJ in the 80's, 90's and new millennium. To this day we have footage of his work, and you can go ahead and check for yourself! Carbon copies right down to the breathwork, muscle twitches, sweat and # of hair strands in a specific spot on skin or cloth. The choreography and stage marking was so exact, it was as though it was cloned from the live productions. The quality of the film was present with high resolution picture, lifelike frames per second, balanced shadow and light, and solid sound calibrating well with the AVX and DBOX theatres. You could really feel the feet stomping and humming surround you. Highly recommend watching this in a cinema theatre rather than a digital online stream or rental or home theatre system. With many scenes including head-to-toe picture, the big screen compliments the dance sequences and expert costuming. The story gratefully covered the psychology of MJ to help haters better understand the authenticity of this incredible human being. It shows his family abuse and how not only his authoritarian/narc/greedy father exploited him, but also his brothers and mother who meant better, but behaved as enablers and beneficiaries. It demonstrates MJ's core values of innocence, play, freedom, creation (flow), beauty & excellence, humour, non-judgment, acceptance, joy, love, light, grace, and belief in true human compassion. It shows his obsessions with Neverland & the Peter Pan archetype and Lost Boys archetypes. It follows his trained obedience into need for control and perfectionism motivated by high-achievement (as he was groomed for). It explores how he was bullied by other black men for being "weird", "different", "alien", a star - non human, that inevitably leads to his attachments with animals and pure children over people his own age or older. Just as those who escape child slavery or imprisonment aim to build a better life of liberty, justice and freedom, so does MJ once he breaks free from his chains to be his own unique individual. It lets us in to his daily practice of positive affirmations, motivational coaching, and abstract creative processes as an original genius artist. We experience his ability to see and hear the human spirit of all living beings and to see the good in life - an ability that is rare and going extinct today. Most beautifully, it weaves together patterns of his own humanness: being certainly neurodivergent with likely having CPTSD, possibly some sorts of Synesthesia, Autism Spectrum and/or level of ADHD that required grounding, imaginative story-making, pet therapy, play therapy, isolation, mindfulness, co-regulation, games, softened speech, reduced physical touch, routine activities for baseline safety. He struggled with relationships and attachment, finding it easier to attach to pureness and innocence such as animals, plants, inanimate objects and children who were all safer choices. The screenplay even hints at demisexuality / asexuality and possibly gender-fluidity (during his puberty and young adult stages) which can also be supported by his real-world interviews and testimonies from previous partners. One aspect I really noticed more than ever before was begging me to ask the question: Was Michael possibly intersex? Without many people even knowing what that fully was in the 60's and 70's, let alone today, its a valid pondering. And could further explain his isolations, privacy and secrecy since that is not often accepted in the heteronormative Black community and culture, especially in traditional African cultures. His puberty variations and vocal pitch variations beg the question. His 3 children (1 surrogate and 2 possibly surrogated or adopted due to genetic mismatching) can further evidence his possible difficulty with fertility and sexuality. If this could have been explored in the biopic, I think it could have gained empathy, compassion and understanding from the younger generations of today to dispel the conspiracies and controversies from Baby Boomers, Gen X and elder Millennials. Michael was a loving, gentle force and true bright light of pure spirit from Creation - that haters in this world choose to not understand, learn or come to accept. Yes society twisted him into a monster and preyed on his vitiligo skin condition & prescription treatments, obsessive compulsions, addictions (due to attachment dysfunctions and dysfunctional family with high ACE's), and his relatability to children. This film chooses to not slander, defame or gossip about this world-wonder, but rather celebrate his giftedness. MJ had faith and was a spiritual person. This comes through in the colour, pacing, energy, rhythm and tone of the biopic. His purpose to share the medicine of music to heal the hearts and souls of human kind - with kindness - was what gave him the fire and passion to keep going, despite being put into the entertainment industry as a 5 yo child labourer by his parents (albeit even forced to sing songs about sexuality at 8 yo); in essence, exploited, extorted and groomed for modified trafficking. In the face of adversity and his genuineness being rejected for what he truly was, he maintained giving generously and upholding respect. One of the gems not often showcased about MJ was his volunteering and care for children with disabilities, chronic illness and terminal illnesses. The parts on this are heartwarming. Oppressed and marginalized people are too often disposed of and excluded in major movies, so it reinforces MJ's support for the ones left behind. From early on in the film, MJ's life required protection from predators and manipulators. Especially being a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). So as it follows his relationships with Bill and John, people can understand how much of a lifeline these guys were for not only his physical safety and legal rights, but to have someone like a true brother or father. These were real ones that helped MJ through over-stimulation meltdowns, panic attacks, physical abuse, and ultimately escaping interpersonal violence. It was disappointing that the film had to end after the Bad release tour. MJ defied and broke stigma around race/racism, stereotyping, mental health, disabilities, sexuality, ageism, gender image, and musical cultural boundaries. I wish the world could have seen that in a good way. In a wholesome way. We know that MJ's interpersonal issues snowballed in that era. I think the family and producers wanted to see the Reviews and feedback from audience first before diving into his entire career and life, to be cautionary and to respect the deceased and beloved. Still, I think it would have been worth the risk to share his story on his medical declines, marriages, children, worldwide changing music like Man In The Mirror or Black & White, his creative collaborations on We Are The World 1985, his works with Disney, the creation and running of Neverland, and his healthy friendships with stars we trust (Stevie Wonder, Macaulay Culkin, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Eddie Murphy, Quincy Jones, Lady Gaga, Usher, etc.). His relation with the brutally honest Lisa Presley would also have shed light on the truth rather than the rumours. This piece nonetheless was a job well done.
- Michael Harrison22 April 2026I dunno what I think about this. It felt very rushed but it was like two hours long? I guess it was the times but I just can't understand how he was allowed all these animals? Felt like it ended very abrupt aswell. Also a lady in my screening was taking photos of the screen as the film started as if she was at the concert and it was so bizarre Lots of people saying they enjoyed the film as I walked out. Sad I didn't feel the same.
Michael Trivia
Michael was released on 22 April 2026.
Michael was directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Michael has a runtime of 2h 8m.
Michael was produced by John Branca, John McClain, Graham King.
The story of "King of Pop" Michael Jackson. From his childhood as the star of the Jackson 5, through times of abuse by his father Joe Jackson, to breaking away and making the hit album Thriller and claiming his independence as a solo artist.
The key characters in Michael are Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo), Katherine Jackson (Nia Long).
Michael is rated 12A.
Michael is a Biography, Drama, History film.
Michael has an audience rating of 9.7 out of 10.
Michael had a budget of US$250M.
Michael has made US$277.8M at the box office.