Michael
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The story of Michael Jackson, one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music. His journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics and audiences are sharply divided: Jaafar Jackson's physical transformation into his uncle wins widespread admiration, but the film itself is broadly panned as a sanitized, estate-approved highlight reel that sidesteps the abuse allegations entirely — a choice that dominates the critical conversation. Audiences, by contrast, embraced it enthusiastically, making the gap between press reception and popular response one of the defining stories around the film.
“nails the look, the voice, the electrostatic moves — and the mix of delicacy and steel that made Michael who he was”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Jaafar fabricates Michael's onstage dancing and singing style with terrific, intuitive flair and the film naturally zaps you with the superb tracks themselves... But this is a frustratingly shallow, inert picture, a kind of cruise-ship entertainment, which can't quite bring itself to show that Michael was an abuse victim, brutalised by his father and robbed of his childhood.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“a ghoulish, soulless cash grab ... All Michael does is recreate, in mechanical style, the most famous visuals of Jackson's career ... Why bother to depict a human being when you can simply turn them into a product?”
Clarisse Loughrey·The Independent
“the final film has been mostly stripped of any humanity, good and bad”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
“a string of biopic clichés and blips of unsubtle brand management”
Paul A. Thompson·Pitchfork
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
Jaafar JacksonMichael
Colman DomingoJoseph Jackson
Nia LongKatherine Jackson
Juliano Krue ValdiYoung Michael
KeiLyn Durrel JonesBill Bray
Miles TellerJohn Branca
Larenz TateBerry Gordy
Laura HarrierSuzanne de Passe
Mike MyersWalter Yetnikoff
Kendrick SampsonQuincy Jones
Trey HortonMarlon Jackson
Rhyan HillTito Jackson
Michael JacksonComposer
John LoganWriter
Dion BeebeCinematographyMichael
The story of Michael Jackson, one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music. His journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
What critics thought
DivisiveCritics and audiences are sharply divided: Jaafar Jackson's physical transformation into his uncle wins widespread admiration, but the film itself is broadly panned as a sanitized, estate-approved highlight reel that sidesteps the abuse allegations entirely — a choice that dominates the critical conversation. Audiences, by contrast, embraced it enthusiastically, making the gap between press reception and popular response one of the defining stories around the film.
“nails the look, the voice, the electrostatic moves — and the mix of delicacy and steel that made Michael who he was”
Owen Gleiberman·Variety
“Jaafar fabricates Michael's onstage dancing and singing style with terrific, intuitive flair and the film naturally zaps you with the superb tracks themselves... But this is a frustratingly shallow, inert picture, a kind of cruise-ship entertainment, which can't quite bring itself to show that Michael was an abuse victim, brutalised by his father and robbed of his childhood.”
Peter Bradshaw·The Guardian
“a ghoulish, soulless cash grab ... All Michael does is recreate, in mechanical style, the most famous visuals of Jackson's career ... Why bother to depict a human being when you can simply turn them into a product?”
Clarisse Loughrey·The Independent
“the final film has been mostly stripped of any humanity, good and bad”
Kate Erbland·IndieWire
“a string of biopic clichés and blips of unsubtle brand management”
Paul A. Thompson·Pitchfork
Genres
Biography, Drama, History
Cast & Crew
Jaafar JacksonMichaelColman DomingoJoseph JacksonNia LongKatherine JacksonJuliano Krue ValdiYoung MichaelKeiLyn Durrel JonesBill BrayMiles TellerJohn BrancaLarenz TateBerry GordyLaura HarrierSuzanne de PasseMike MyersWalter YetnikoffKendrick SampsonQuincy JonesTrey HortonMarlon JacksonRhyan HillTito JacksonMichael JacksonComposerJohn LoganWriterDion BeebeCinematographyStream
Rent & Buy