One of the most talked about movies this year so far is Michael (2026), the new biopic about pop icon, Michael Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, the movie tells the story of Jackson’s rise to fame and celebrates his music career. 

The movie has performed extremely well at the box office, earning over $217 million worldwide in its opening weekend and setting a record for a music biopic. This shows that Michael Jackson still has a huge fan base years after his death. However, not everyone agrees on how accurately the movie depicts his life.

While some viewers loved the music, performances, and nostalgia, others believe the movie avoids important and controversial parts of Jackson’s life. This has created a major debate about whether Michael is a tribute to a legendary artist or a version of history that leaves too much out.

A Strong Performance from Jaafar Jackson:

One thing that most people agree on is that Jaafar Jackson gives an impressive performance. Critics have praised how closely he resembles his uncle and how well he captures Michael Jackson’s dance style, stage presence, and mannerisms. According to Deadline, Jaafar Jackson brings energy and emotion to the role, helping recreate some of Michael’s most famous performances. 

For fans, this is one of the movie’s biggest strengths!

The concert scenes in the movie feature songs that many people grew up listening to, including Jackson 5 and solo Michael Jackson hits like “I’ll Be There,” “Billie Jean,” and “Thriller.” For longtime fans, seeing those performances brought to life on the big screen creates an emotional experience. 

Because of this, some viewers feel the movie succeeds simply by celebrating Jackson’s incredible impact  on music. 

Why Fans Are Supporting the Film:

Many supporters believe the movie gives audiences exactly what they wanted.

Michael Jackson changed music, dance, and pop culture in many ways. His music videos, performances, and global fame made him one of the most recognizable entertainers in history. Fans argue that the movie focuses on those accomplishments rather than trying to examine every controversy from his life. This may explain why audience reactions have been stronger than many of the critical reviews. Many people went to the movie for the music, performances, and nostalgia, not necessarily for a complete biography.

Critics Say Important Parts Are Missing:

The biggest criticism of Michael is what the film leaves out.

The movie focuses on Jackson’s rise to fame and does not fully address the child abuse allegations that became a major part of public discussion about his legacy later in life. According to The Guardian, some critics argue that skipping major events can make audiences see an inaccurate version of history.

Questions About Historical Accuracy:

Critics say some family relationships are portrayed in ways that may be exaggerated, timelines are compressed, and certain events may be presented differently than they actually happened. This has led some viewers to question whether the movie is meant to be a true biography or simply entertainment inspired by real events.

While creative changes are common in movies, critics argue that changing facts becomes more concerning when the topic is already controversial. 

Questions About Family Involvement:

Another issue some critics have raised is the involvement of Michael Jackson’s family and estate in the project. Because the film had close connections to people protecting Jackson’s legacy, some viewers question whether the movie could ever be fully objective. 

Supporters, however, point out that many celebrity biopics involve family members or estates. 

Still, some critics believe that connection may have influenced which parts of Jackson’s story were included and which were not.

What Should a Biopic Really Do?

The mixed reactions to Michael may come down to one big question: what should a biopic actually do?

Some viewers believe a movie like Michael should celebrate Michael Jackson’s incredible impact on music, dance, and pop culture. For those fans, the movie succeeds because it focuses on the performances, music, and emotional experience.

Others believe a biopic should present a fuller and more accurate picture of a person’s life, including controversies and difficult moments. Critics argue that leaving out major parts of Jackson’s life, changing certain facts, and excluding important family members like Janet Jackson makes the movie feel incomplete.

Final Thoughts:

In the end, Michael has clearly succeeded in getting attention and bringing audiences to theaters. Jaafar Jackson’s performance and the movie’s musical scenes have earned praise, but criticism about historical accuracy and major omissions has also sparked important conversations about how famous people should be portrayed on screen.

This leaves audiences with one final question: should a biopic focus on celebrating a person’s achievements, telling the full truth, or both?