The first reviews for the Michael Jackson biopic Michael are out, and Rotten Tomatoes critics are not thrilled with the big-screen story of the King of Pop.
As of Tuesday morning, the film holds a 31% “rotten” critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 51 reviews, with the Tomatometer reflecting a stark divide between praise for the lead performances and criticism of the film’s approach to Jackson’s complex legacy.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as the adult Michael Jackson and Juliano Krue Valdi as the young Michael Jackson, tracing the singer’s journey from The Jackson 5 to his solo stardom. The film also features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca.
Critics praise the lead actors but fault the film’s avoidance of controversy
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter called the film a “warm rush of transporting pleasure” for those nostalgic for Jackson’s chart-topping era, awarding it a “fresh” score. USA Today’s Melissa Ruggieri similarly praised Jaafar Jackson’s embodiment of his uncle’s mannerisms, noting his “liquid dance moves” and “soft-spoken cadence” as “studied to perfection.”
Owen Gleiberman of Variety also gave the film a “fresh” score but cautioned that it sidesteps Jackson’s darker chapters, calling it “an engrossing middle-of-the-road biopic” precisely because it avoids confronting the singer’s controversies. In contrast, Derek Smith of Slant Magazine delivered a “rotten” review, arguing the film “turns the realities of a tragic, deeply complicated life into a sanitized popcorn film.”
The biopic opens amid renewed public scrutiny of Jackson’s legacy
The film’s release coincides with a resurgence of interest in Michael Jackson, despite nearly 17 years since his death and no major anniversary to drive attention. As noted in The Independent, controversies surrounding Jackson — including allegations of child sexual abuse — have not faded, with the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland keeping the claims in public discourse and ongoing legal proceedings in the US courts.
The Guardian’s review observed that while the film includes familiar biopic tropes — the recording studio amazement, the tour bus, the billboard climb — it omits what the writer called “the elephant in the living room”: Jackson’s troubled personal life and the allegations that have dogged his legacy. The review noted the film ends with a baffling surtitle reading “The story continues,” suggesting a potential sequel, though no commitment has been made by producer Graham King or the Jackson estate.
Family endorsement and casting choices shape the film’s tone
Michael is the first official, Jackson family-endorsed biopic, produced by Graham King, whose prior work includes the Oscar-winning Bohemian Rhapsody. Jaafar Jackson, the 29-year-old son of Jermaine Jackson, was cast for his uncanny resemblance and ability to replicate his uncle’s stage presence, taking over from Juliano Krue Valdi, who portrays Michael as a child.
The film’s portrayal of Joe Jackson by Colman Domingo was singled out for its intensity, with Domingo allowed to “let rip” in a role widely seen as villainous due to his alleged abuse of the Jackson children. In contrast, Nia Long’s Katherine Jackson and the siblings’ portrayals were described as “virtually mute” and “uninterestingly conceiv
ed,” limiting the film’s exploration of the family dynamics that shaped Michael’s early life.
Why did critics describe the film as “sanitized”?
Critics argued the film avoids addressing the allegations of child sexual abuse and other controversies that have surrounded Michael Jackson, instead presenting a version of his life that focuses on musical achievement while downplaying personal and legal complexities.
Is a sequel to Michael planned?
Producer Graham King and the Jackson family estate are reportedly considering a “Michael 2,” but there is no clear commitment, and any follow-up would require a different filmmaking style to address the aspects of Jackson’s life omitted in this film.
