Michael, the musical biopic on singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, is set for a theatrical release on April 24. Early reviews have lauded Jaafar Jackson’s performance and the film’s musical sequences, though the narrative’s depth and its handling of the singer’s complex legacy has been questioned.
An X review referred to the Antoine Fuqua directorial as a “formulaic biopic”, while praising Jaafar’s performance. It read, “#MichaelMovie is another formulaic biopic that’s more interested in shoving as many songs in front of you than exploring its central subjects in any sort of meaningful way. Jaafar Jackson does a nice job in the leading role, and the performance moments are exciting, but there’s nothing really here that we haven’t seen done before (sic).”
Another X user wrote that the film is meant for Michael Jackson fans. He added, “If you’re not that much of one but you like his music, you’re going to enjoy it too because the musical numbers shine (almost all of them). But if you’re looking to understand his personality and his complexity as an artist, you’re going to be disappointed (sic).”
One social media user praised the film’s music and its portrayal of Jackson as a misunderstood genius. The viewer highlighted that while the narrative might feel like it’s “setting the stage,” the emotional weight of the performances and the “spiritual” quality of the soundtrack make it an unmissable experience for fans.
A separate X review highlighted the film as a masterful look at the life of a legend, with many rating it a perfect 10/10. It emphasised that while the narrative sticks to familiar territory, the emotional core — specifically his complex relationship with his father — has left a lasting impact. Fans have also praised the film for successfully showcasing why the artist remains the most famous human of all time.
Michael also features Miles Teller as attorney John Branca, Colman Domingo as patriarch Joe Jackson, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. Also joining the ensemble are Laura Harrier, Kendrick Sampson, and Juliano Krue Valdi, who portrays a young Michael.
The film is co-produced by Graham King, John Branca and John McClain.
