Michael Is An Entertaining, Yet Incomplete, Portrait Of An Icon
When I first heard there would be a Michael Jackson movie, I was skeptical. Let’s be honest, MJ biopics don’t exactly have the best track record. (Who could forget Flex Alexander as MJ?) But when I heard his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, would be playing Michael Jackson in the biopic, I was intrigued. In the film, the resemblance and shared swagger between the two can only be explained by genetics. Add in stellar performances by Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and suddenly Michael starts to feel like it might have real weight, the kind that made Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis more than just another biopic. Still, nearly 20 years after Jackson’s passing, the questions remain: Who is actually equipped to tell his story? Which parts of his story should be told? Is any estate-approved biopic just another opportunity to profit off a legacy that has never been allowed to rest? And finally, aside from the controversy, can any movie really capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic that was Michael Jackson, the artist? I sat down with the cast in Los Angeles and got into it all. With quotes from Domingo, Long, Jaafar Jackson, and director Antoine Fuqua, here’s my breakdown of Michael, the movie. Judah Edwards as Young Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Young Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ, Nathaniel McIntyre as Young Jackie and Jayden Harville as Young Jermaine in Michael. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate Behind Michael’s Rise to Stardom Was A Dark Reality The film opens with the Jackson family at the inception of the Jackson 5. As the story goes, a young Joe Jackson, played by Domingo, is obsessed with making a name for his family. Michael is clearly a star, with a natural ability to perform. As powerful as it is to watch a young Michael find his voice, it’s also incredibly difficult to sit through. The film does not shy away from the reality of Joe’s intense verbal and physical abuse. This isn’t new information. Michael never hid the fear he had of his father. Still, reliving it through his perspective is something else entirely. The theater sat silent as we watched a young boy pulled away from childhood and isolated from the real world, forced to carry the weight of his family’s future. When I sat down with Domingo, I had one question on my mind: “Do you believe Joe truly loved Michael?” “You have to look through Joe’s eyes,” Domingo told me. “Being from a blue-collar family, raising all those children in Gary, Indiana, and wanting the best for them, wanting them not to succumb to the things of the inner city.” Domingo described Joe as part of a generation of men who expressed love through discipline and survival. “That’s him loving on them, making sure there’s food on the table, making sure you do your homework, making sure you become the best that you can be,” he explained. Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson in Michael. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate I understand that mindset. As an African American woman, I saw my own family in Joe. The pressure put on children doesn’t necessarily stem from greed, but something closer to desperation. Michael felt like Joe’s last hope. And while that doesn’t excuse the abuse, it does give it context. When I asked Long about Katherine’s presence, I put it plainly: “should she have done more to protect Michael, or is her character more layered than we assume?” For Long, Katherine’s strength wasn’t about confrontation. She was a grounding presence. These are hardworking Black women… raising children while trying to raise themselves at the same time… What [Katherine] contributed to that family was safety.nia long on playing katherine jackson “You’re seeing a very small part of their relationship,” Long said. ”We’re focused on [Michael’s] accomplishments, his life, and the world he grew up in. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is be quiet and just be present.” Long also pointed to the kind of woman Katherine represents: “These are hardworking Black women… raising children while trying to raise themselves at the same time, during times that weren’t always favorable to Black women and Black people.” she said. “What she contributed to that family was safety… knowing that no matter what, you have your mother.” Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson in Michael Photo Credit: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle. Michael Jackson’s Search for Whimsy Was His Saving Grace As we watch Michael rise to stardom, we also see him begin to create a universe of his own, one that protects him. He leans into animals and literature to build a sense of safety. It’s a world he carries with him for the rest of his life. As Antoine Fuqua told me, that instinct was deeply spiritual. “When you do the research, you realize how spiritual Michael was. I mean, really spiritual,” he said. “Michael used to sit up in a tree at Neverland. He would write music there because he wanted to be closer to God.” “You ca
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When I first heard there would be a Michael Jackson movie, I was skeptical. Let’s be honest, MJ biopics don’t exactly have the best track record. (Who could forget Flex Alexander as MJ?) But when I heard his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, would be playing Michael Jackson in the biopic, I was intrigued. In the film, the resemblance and shared swagger between the two can only be explained by genetics. Add in stellar performances by Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and suddenly Michael starts to feel like it might have real weight, the kind that made Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis more than just another biopic.
Still, nearly 20 years after Jackson’s passing, the questions remain: Who is actually equipped to tell his story? Which parts of his story should be told? Is any estate-approved biopic just another opportunity to profit off a legacy that has never been allowed to rest? And finally, aside from the controversy, can any movie really capture the lightning-in-a-bottle magic that was Michael Jackson, the artist?
I sat down with the cast in Los Angeles and got into it all. With quotes from Domingo, Long, Jaafar Jackson, and director Antoine Fuqua, here’s my breakdown of Michael, the movie.
Behind Michael’s Rise to Stardom Was A Dark Reality
The film opens with the Jackson family at the inception of the Jackson 5. As the story goes, a young Joe Jackson, played by Domingo, is obsessed with making a name for his family.
Michael is clearly a star, with a natural ability to perform. As powerful as it is to watch a young Michael find his voice, it’s also incredibly difficult to sit through. The film does not shy away from the reality of Joe’s intense verbal and physical abuse. This isn’t new information. Michael never hid the fear he had of his father. Still, reliving it through his perspective is something else entirely. The theater sat silent as we watched a young boy pulled away from childhood and isolated from the real world, forced to carry the weight of his family’s future.
When I sat down with Domingo, I had one question on my mind: “Do you believe Joe truly loved Michael?”
“You have to look through Joe’s eyes,” Domingo told me. “Being from a blue-collar family, raising all those children in Gary, Indiana, and wanting the best for them, wanting them not to succumb to the things of the inner city.”
Domingo described Joe as part of a generation of men who expressed love through discipline and survival.
“That’s him loving on them, making sure there’s food on the table, making sure you do your homework, making sure you become the best that you can be,” he explained.
I understand that mindset. As an African American woman, I saw my own family in Joe. The pressure put on children doesn’t necessarily stem from greed, but something closer to desperation. Michael felt like Joe’s last hope. And while that doesn’t excuse the abuse, it does give it context.
When I asked Long about Katherine’s presence, I put it plainly: “should she have done more to protect Michael, or is her character more layered than we assume?” For Long, Katherine’s strength wasn’t about confrontation. She was a grounding presence.
These are hardworking Black women… raising children while trying to raise themselves at the same time… What [Katherine] contributed to that family was safety.
nia long on playing katherine jackson
“You’re seeing a very small part of their relationship,” Long said. ”We’re focused on [Michael’s] accomplishments, his life, and the world he grew up in. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is be quiet and just be present.”
Long also pointed to the kind of woman Katherine represents: “These are hardworking Black women… raising children while trying to raise themselves at the same time, during times that weren’t always favorable to Black women and Black people.” she said. “What she contributed to that family was safety… knowing that no matter what, you have your mother.”
Michael Jackson’s Search for Whimsy Was His Saving Grace
As we watch Michael rise to stardom, we also see him begin to create a universe of his own, one that protects him. He leans into animals and literature to build a sense of safety. It’s a world he carries with him for the rest of his life.
As Antoine Fuqua told me, that instinct was deeply spiritual. “When you do the research, you realize how spiritual Michael was. I mean, really spiritual,” he said. “Michael used to sit up in a tree at Neverland. He would write music there because he wanted to be closer to God.”
“You can feel it in the music,” he continued. “But when you get into the details… his poetry is so beautiful. So spiritual.”
Through exploring Jackson’s inner world, the film foreshadows the controversies and unresolved questions that would later shape his legacy — and there are many questions and controversies surrounding Michael’s life that remain unanswered, including multiple sexual abuse allegations. Long and Domingo spoke with the Today Show, explaining that the story spans from the 1960s through 1988, focusing on the makings of Michael, while also leaving room for a possible sequel.
As the film progresses into Michael’s adulthood, it becomes even more compelling, with Jaafar Jackson fully stepping into the role and presence of Michael Jackson.
Give Jaafar Jackson All the Awards
When Jaafar stepped onscreen, I could barely sit still. The film gives us full iconic Michael Jackson musical numbers and dance breaks. Not only is Jaafar Jackson a deeply compelling actor, but his movements and mannerisms feel so distinctly Michael-coded that at times, you forget you’re watching a performance at all.
Jaafar Jackson described the process as something almost instinctual. “When you have the wardrobe, the hair, something comes over you. It’s hard to explain, but it’s natural,” he said, pointing to the way the physical transformation allowed him to step fully into Michael’s world.
Singing along to MJ’s biggest hits and watching the creation of his most iconic work is undeniably entertaining [but] at times, Michael feels more like a carefully curated highlight reel than an honest portrait.
jessika hardy
In between the moonwalks and jerry curls, we watch Michael Jackson begin to grapple with his own insecurities, many of which trace back to Joe. He’s also incredibly lonely, retreating into solitude with his animals. In many ways, he builds a world through his music, using his sound to connect with a world that continues to isolate him. Jaafar Jackson’s performance grounds the film, and drives home these themes.
Michael Finally Finds His Voice & Janet’s Absence Is Felt
As Michael comes into his own creatively, he finds a sound that separates him from the Jackson 5 and, in many ways, from his father. Much of the film’s final act centers on his fight for independence, and Joe doesn’t let go without a fight.
This tension leads to some of the most traumatic and defining moments in Michael Jackson’s career, including the infamous Pepsi commercial accident and his eventual departure from the Jackson 5.
As the film comes to a close, one question becomes impossible to ignore: Where is Janet Jackson? In an interview with Variety, LaToya Jackson told reporters that, “[Janet] was asked and she kindly declined.” Michael’s siblings all played a role in shaping him, which makes her absence stand out even more. You can’t help but wonder why his closest sibling would opt out of a film meant to celebrate his legacy. With his brothers and LaToya portrayed in such a polished, supportive light, the audience is left to fill in the gaps.
Michael Is Compelling, But It May Be Time To Leave MJ’s Legacy As It Is
Did we need this Michael Jackson movie? Well, yes and no. Yes, there’s plenty to enjoy: singing along to MJ’s biggest hits and watching the creation of his most iconic work is undeniably entertaining. Watching Michael not only find his sound but also learn how to stand up for himself was incredibly moving. But at times, it still felt more like a carefully curated highlight reel than an honest portrait.
Overall, I’m excited to see how this film brings people together. With most of my childhood filled with songs from Micheal Jackson and The Jackson 5, I couldn’t help but think of my father and how much he’ll love revisiting these moments onscreen.
However, with Michael’s later life being so dark and so many questions still unanswered, I’m not sure a sequel even makes sense. At this point, it may be time to let Michael rest.
Michael is in theaters now.
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