Michael is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026 and offers an audience-friendly take on Michael Jackson’s life. This movie is a celebration of his music and next-level performances while giving glimpses into Jackson’s personal life. Directed by Antoine Fuqua known for “Training Day,” and written by John Logan, the film follows Jackson’s journey from the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the biggest solo artists in music history.
Jaafar’s Perfect Impersonation
One of the biggest standouts of the film is Jaafar Jackson in his first acting role. Not only does he look like the titular character, but he fully commits to the role. Portraying someone so influential and beloved as his uncle is not an easy task; not just because of the fans, but because of the personal connection, Jaafar’s casting is not a nepotism moment. It didn’t feel like he was cast in this role just because he is Michael Jackson’s nephew; Jaafar Jackson became Michael.
He was able to get his mannerisms, dance moves, and the aura of Michael without it becoming a caricature. It was also impressive that he was able to portray both the global superstar and the human. I love the gentle moments and showing Michael finding comfort in things others considered childish or different, along with the loneliness of being a child star and being taught to perform at such a young age.
Recreating Michael’s Magic
This would not be a Michael Jackson biopic without exploring his concerts and music videos, and from the start of the movie, you feel like you are at one of his shows
The movie recreates some of Jackson’s iconic moments, including “Thriller,” “Bad,” “Beat It,” and Motown 25. The attention to detail is very clear in each performance, including filming the “Thriller” music video. When we got the chance to talk to Fuqua about the filming of this scene, they managed to recreate “Thriller” in the same location as the original and even under a full moon.
Adding to the concert-like experience of the movie was showing Jackson’s fandom and how much of his music and celebrity had such an impact culturally, including how much he was loved. This made each performance feel powerful. The music part of the movie is worth an IMAX ticket alone.
Needing More From the Story
Despite the strong performances, the story at times feels a bit paint-by-numbers. I found myself wanting more, especially in Jackson’s personal and family life, since family plays such a central role in the film. It does focus on his relationship with Joe Jackson and how he finds the courage to stand up to his father and pursue a solo career.
Colman Domingo delivers a strong performance as Joe Jackson, but this is all they focus on. It would’ve been so compelling to also see the dynamic between Jackson and his brothers. Given that one of the film’s core themes is his stepping away from the Jackson 5 for a solo career, it would have been interesting to see how that shift impacted their relationships and how his brothers felt watching his rise to stardom.
Michael Jackson is so compelling, and his life has so much story to tell that a two- hour run time can only cover so much. Overall, the pacing moves rapidly through different decades of his
career. While this keeps the film entertaining and brings us to another amazing music sequence, there was definitely room to go further
Final Thoughts
Overall, I did enjoy the movie and can understand the direction the filmmakers were aiming for. It’s clear they wanted audiences to walk away feeling a sense of joy, while also gaining a better understanding of Michael Jackson as a person. Those elements are present, but I still found myself wishing for a bit more depth throughout. There’s clearly a strong creative team behind this project, and you can feel the care and passion that went into it.
It feels like the reshoots and behind- the- scenes challenges affected the final product, and there are rumors of a sequel to follow. I can see the potential to address these gaps and expand on what this film sets up.
If you’re a fan of Michael, you will really enjoy this movie. For the musical performances alone, they give that familiar concert vibe that everyone can enjoy, even if they’re not a super fan.
Check out “Michael,” which will be out in theatres on April 24, 2026.
Staff Writer & Media Critic for Big Gold Belt Media: NYC Actress | Twitch Streamer | Artist