“This is your life. You ready to fight for it?”

Story: A young group of talented boys begin a singing career in Gary, Indiana. As they become more popular, the Jackson 5 hit stardom, with youngest member Michael standing out for his one-of-a-kind voice and charisma. But breaking free from an overbearing father can be harder than stardom could ever be…

Genre I’d put it in: Emotionally Effective Biopics
Release Date: 2026
Remake, Sequel, Based-On, or Original: Based on the life of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Gotta say: Before I get into things, I think I need to address a few things. One, I was in high school when Michael was at his peak. Off The Wall was a staple through those years, and Thriller was an absolute juggernaut that blew me and my friends away. I still remember a friend running up to me shouting “I GOT THE TAPE! I GOT THE TAPE! YOU’RE COMING TO MY HOUSE AND WE’RE WATCHING IT!” And then we jumped up and down screaming. I cannot overstate what a pivotal moment in history this was for me, and so many others. Two, I love the work of director Antoine Fuqua, so I’m pre-disposed to be stoked about anything he’s got his fingers in. Three, I’m not even gonna address The Allegations. Everyone has their opinions, everyone has their ideas, and so do I. But I’m leaving deep dives for others more scholarly than I. Me, I’m looking at this movie. And as a biopic, Michael is an emotionally satisfying treat, though it may leave many fans (and casuals) wanting more.

Michael feels like a mix of Bohemian Rhapsody (hey, same producers) and What’s Love Got to Do With It? It’s got Love‘s focus on a star fighting to rise from a history of abuse, and Rhapsody‘s fast-and-loose way with chronology, and some facts. I will go so far as to say that this film seems to lightly focus on Michael the star, and instead chooses to spend the bulk of it’s time telling the story of a boy who grows into a man, who finally breaks free of his controlling, abusive father. As a survivor of parental abuse, this story hit hard for me. While there seems to be some back-and-forth between family and friends about the truth of these scenes? Everybody, from family to fans, seems to understand that father Joe was a task-driver bar none.

That’s evidenced in Colman Domingo’s powerful performance. Damn, Domingo got The Stare down for this role. He’s almost too good; I heard the choppers a few times watching that man onscreen. Fuqua, along with screenwriter John Logan, show that as the boys continued to get older, they all still stayed close to – not with – their father. It’s a painfully unhealthy attachment on both sides, but hinted as being deeply destructive to the boy’s/men’s emotional wellbeing. Again, keep in mind that there are members of the family who don’t feel this is accurate, and members that do. Either way, these understated moments hit like, well, like a belt.

Nia Long is subtly effective as Jackson matriarch Katherine, and while I’ve loved her in the Best Man series? I hope this gets more eyes on this deserving performer. She is both timid and strong, uncomfortably enabling yet Michael’s – and most likely by extension her other children’s – emotional touchstone. Fuqua doesn’t pull punches with the family dynamics, nor the power dynamics between Joe and Katherine. Speaking of subtly effective performances, special shout-out to KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Michael’s bodyguard/human BFF Bill Bray. Jones’ silent protector stance as Bray belies a man whose care for the star feels like the father Joe should have been. It’s touching, and the onscreen camaraderie between Jones and Jackson feels easy and true.

Jaafar Jackson – yep, Jermaine’s son – is incredible as his Uncle Michael. So is Juliano Valdi as the younger star. Together they paint a picture of an emotionally damaged individual who longed for friendship, and found that in animals, and a lively fantasy life based on books, movie musicals, and Disney characters. (Gotta admit if the scene with Jackson walking around the neighborhood with his llama is true? Being his neighbor must have absolutely ruled.) Director Antoine Fuqua seems to inject a thread of neurodiversity into the portrayal of the pop star, and I wonder if Michael would have been given more grace if the 80s and 90s was more understanding. I am not, in fact, saying that should excuse any allegations that may or may not be true. I’m just saying that perhaps many of his actions – especially his sensitivity, social awkwardness, and special interests – feel more understandable in the year of our Lord 2026.

Yes, Michael Jackson has been labeled many things. King of Pop, chimp owner, man-child, and a few things that’d get me booted off social media. Michael sifts through the man and the legend, delivering one story among many. This is Michael’s story of becoming reliant upon himself. Fuqua ends this movie by stating Michael Jackson will return in Doomsday “The Story Continues”, leaving moviegoers wondering if the director will dig deeper into other stories in future. As this film ends with the star’s 1988 performance at Wembley Stadium, there is more story to tell. Though it’d probably be tough to create a sequel without addressing the rumors, accusations, and lawsuits that haunted the star’s later years. I’m not sure that any film could address them in a way that would be accepted by everybody. Hell, I don’t envy anyone that; this topic is a hot button for many, whatever they may consider true/possible. But until then, this Michael lets us pause the possibilities, and focuses on a man nobody seems to have truly known, who made music that the whole world seemed to embrace. It’s not everything, but it’s compelling look at this portion of his life had me transfixed. Mission accomplished, I think.

#Protip: If you’re still wondering if the film digs into the accusations aimed at and questions about Michael’s life? Well, I think his daughter Paris puts it best: “The thing about these biopics is, it’s Hollywood. It’s fantasy land. It’s not real, but it’s sold to you as real… The narrative is being controlled…” The original script was said to have addressed some of the allegations, but those scenes were later removed. So go into this film understanding that.