Michael Jackson, the “King of Pop,” returns to the big screen in the 2026 biopic “Michael”, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The film chronicles his steady rise to fame, spanning his years with the Jackson 5 and through the defining moments of his solo career.
The biopic offers new insight into Jackson’s complex childhood: the relentless pressure for perfection, his longing for a sense of normalcy and the raw ambition that fueled his genre-bending solo career.
Taking on the monumental lead role is Jaafar Jackson — Michael Jackson’s nephew — in his acting debut. As he shared in an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on April 2, Jaafar Jackson dedicated two years to intensive training, mastering the “King of Pop”’s iconic choreography and vocals, to prove he was the right choice to embody his uncle’s legacy.
For a debut performance, Jaafar Jackson was phenomenal. He skillfully captured his uncle’s soft-spoken, gentle tone and hesitant demeanor, while fully embodying his magnetic, showstopping stage presence that defined his career.
At times, the resemblance was so striking, it felt as though I was watching the “King of Pop” himself.
Pulling the audience further in, the film strategically blends Jackson’s original tracks with his nephew’s vocals during large-scale performances, while allowing Jaafar Jackson’s raw a cappella singing to carry the intimate studio scenes. These layers, combined with Jaafar Jackson’s ad-libs, are woven seamlessly into the performances to create a truly authentic portrayal.
While the film excelled in star performance, immaculate choreography and an iconic soundtrack, I felt a notable lack of tension in the storyline.
One of the film’s primary narrative arcs focuses on Michael Jackson’s relationship to his overbearing father, Joseph “Joe” Jackson, played by Colman Domingo, and the courage Michael eventually builds up to break away from his father’s toxic control.
Joseph’s black-and-white perception and constant reminder that “in this life, you’re either a winner or a loser” was immensely influential to how Michael Jackson navigated his life and career, fueling his constant pursuit of perfection.
It was this relentless pressure, beginning at the age of five, that anchored Michael’s ambition as he eventually sought to reclaim his agency both creatively and personally.
Yet, while the film attempts to position Michael and Joseph’s relationship as the dominating conflict, other vital narratives, storylines and influential relationships are notably absent.
Most significantly, the 1993 Jordan Chandler allegation and the subsequent investigation into Neverland Ranch were entirely removed from the script, reportedly due to legal constraints.
While these pivotal events were originally included in the script, they were later removed upon discovering the Chandler settlement prohibited the mention or description of the Chandler family in any future films.
The ultimate omission deprives the audience of seeing the profound impact these allegations had on Michael Jackson’s personal life and career, leaving a vacant haze surrounding the film’s overarching narrative.
I may have been enamoured by Jaafar’s performance and the uncanny accuracy with which he mirrored his uncle’s stage presence, but the storyline left much to be desired.
However, the film’s closing moments offer hope for future exploration. Before the credits roll, the words “His Story Continues” appear on the screen, signifying a sequel that will presumably explore the later years of Michael’s life and his late solo career.
Whether a second film can successfully navigate the legal complexities of Michael’s life while representing the full scope of his legacy remains to be seen.
