Michael (2026) Honest Review: Best Music Biopic Ever or Just a Greatest Hits Film?

By Justin D Williams

Michael, the long-awaited biopic starring Jafar Jackson as his uncle, the King of Pop. The movie follows Michael Jackson’s rise from his early days with the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most influential entertainers the world has ever seen. Most people already know the major beats of the story, yet Michael still delivers an emotional, visually impressive tribute that lands more often than not — even if it never digs quite as deep as it could’ve.

The performances are the film’s biggest strength. Jafar Jackson doesn’t simply portray Michael Jackson; he completely disappears into the role. The voice, the movements, the energy, even the smallest mannerisms, feel authentic. It never comes across like an impersonation. It feels like a genuine transformation, and honestly, he deserves serious awards consideration for what he pulls off here. The film rests heavily on his shoulders, and he carries it effortlessly. Nia Long brings real warmth and emotional grounding as Katherine Jackson, giving a performance that stands alongside Angela Bassett’s unforgettable role in The Jacksons: An American Dream. Coleman Domingo is outstanding as Joe Jackson, delivering a cold, intimidating presence that takes over nearly every scene he’s in. Miles Teller is also strong as Michael’s manager, John Branca. Across the board, the supporting cast delivers.

Where it falls short when it comes to the story, Michael ends up being a little uneven. The film covers everything from the Jackson 5 being discovered by Motown through the Bad era, touching on all the major moments along the way: creating “Beat It,” meeting Quincy Jones, filming the Thriller video, the Pepsi commercial accident, and much more. Visually, the movie is stunning. Some scenes don’t even feel recreated; they feel almost identical to the real moments, especially the Motown 25 performance and several iconic music video sequences. Still, the storytelling often feels overly safe and polished. Joe Jackson is mostly presented as a harsh, one-dimensional father obsessed with money and success, without many moments that reveal deeper layers or genuine care for his family. That’s a noticeable contrast from The Jacksons: An American Dream, which gave Joe more nuance and showed both his flaws and his pride in his children. The same issue applies to Michael’s portrayal. The movie frames him as someone almost destined for greatness, but it avoids exploring many of the contradictions that made him such a fascinating person. We see glimpses of the trauma caused by his father and hints of his emotional struggles, yet the film barely touches the perfectionism, ambition, or ruthless business instincts that shaped his career, including major moments like buying the Beatles' catalog. Important family members also get pushed into the background. Janet and Rebbie are missing entirely, LaToya barely factors into the story, and even the Jackson 5 brothers don’t receive much meaningful development despite how central they were to Michael’s life.

It also feels obvious that certain material was removed because of production complications and legal concerns. As a result, the movie sometimes plays more like a polished “greatest hits” package than a fully realized portrait of Michael Jackson as a person. Strengths that carry the film, even with those issues, Michael remains a very entertaining experience. The direction does an incredible job recreating legendary moments with care and precision. Some of the film’s strongest scenes involve Michael’s battle with vitiligo and the early signs of his dependence on painkillers, giving the story flashes of emotional weight. The music alone is enough to make this worth seeing. Add in the performances and the sheer spectacle, and it becomes a genuinely fun theater experience for Michael Jackson fans. Going in, I was honestly leaning toward giving the film a half-bucket rating because of the uneven writing. But by the end, Jafar’s performance and the emotional pull of the story won me over. As a lifelong Michael Jackson fan, I couldn’t ignore how much of an impact the film had on me. That pushed it up to a full bucket on my popcorn meter. It’s not perfect, but it’s absolutely worth watching.

Michael celebrates the music, artistry, and larger-than-life presence that made Michael Jackson a global icon, even if the movie plays things too safely on the dramatic side. I’m still hoping we eventually get the rumored 3.5–4 hour director’s cut with restored scenes and a more layered version of the story. If you’re a Michael Jackson fan, this is essential viewing. It may not end up being the definitive biopic people hoped for, but it’s still a heartfelt, visually striking tribute that honors Michael’s talent and legacy in a powerful way.

VIDEO REVIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Ih7uf5Oe0