Quick take
Antoine Fuqua’s new Michael movie is landing like a meteor: flashy, noisy, and leaving a very messy crater of opinions. It opens in France on April 23, and early reactions are all over the map — some viewers are cheering, others are yawning.
What the film covers
This isn’t a minute-by-minute true crime doc — it’s an attempt to chart the singer’s rise from kid superstar to solo icon. Expect childhood flashbacks, Jackson Five-era hustle, early solo glory, and a look at the complicated family dynamics behind the scenes. The team even had to slice and reshoot a chunk of the movie after a production snafu, so what ends up on screen is a rebuilt version of the original plan.
The glow-up crowd
A portion of critics warmed up fast. They say the movie is entertaining, energetic, and, for some, one of the best musical biopics in recent memory. Those reviewers highlight the film’s crowd-pleasing moments and its ability to recreate big performances in a way that gives viewers the nostalgia hit they came for.
The skeptics’ corner
Not everyone is dazzled. Some reviewers find the movie surprisingly safe and thin — more surface-level greatest-hits parade than in-depth portrait. They argue the film skims the hard questions and plays things safe, leaving character complexity and emotional grit on the cutting-room floor. In short: visually engaging but narratively anemic, according to the doubters.
Jaafar Jackson: the scene-stealer
Even harsh critics tend to agree on one thing: Jaafar Jackson is the film’s MVP. Most commentators call his portrayal convincing and magnetic, saying he brings the energy and mannerisms that make the role believable. Whether you love the movie or loathe it, his performance is the item everyone keeps talking about.
So who’s this for?
If you’re a hardcore fan who wants glossy recreations of classic numbers and an emotional highlight reel, this might scratch that itch. If you hoped for a darker, more probing biography that digs into messy truths and contradictions, you may walk out wanting something deeper.
Final mood
Michael is one of those films that will spark lively dinner-table debates: does it honor the legend, or does it sanitize him for mass appeal? Either way, it’s a movie that people will argue about — and Jaafar Jackson’s performance will keep the conversation going.