Opinion: Michael (2026)

Critics do not have the final say for me. I try not to treat other opinions as definitive. I would rather see the film for myself and form a judgement, which is what I did with Michael (2026). With the biopic being about the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, I am sure others felt the same curiosity and desire to experience the portrayal firsthand. I left the cinema feeling both more informed about Michael Jackson and deeply inspired.

Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson and nephew of Michael Jackson, stunned audiences worldwide with his portrayal of Michael in this film. The resemblance between the two is uncanny during the performance scenes. Dance and physical mannerisms are often so deeply personal to an artist that they are difficult to imitate without feeling forced, yet Jafaar captures Michael with remarkable authenticity.

Seeing Jafaar recreate the “Thriller” moment transported me to a time where I was sat in awe of Michael Jackson in front of the TV watching the music video with my brother and cousins. As young as I was, I could still see how special Michael Jackson’s artistry was.

Many had complaints about things that were missing from the film. With a life so vivid and public, a few absences were inevitable but I believe this should not define the film as a whole. It makes more sense to focus on what was included. The biopic included a number of standout performances including the Motown 25 Billie Jean performance.

The biopic explores Michael’s relationship with his family and The Jackson 5 launch to stardom. It includes hits from The Jackson 5 such as “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There”. The film does well to give context to Michael’s fame at a young age and how events in his childhood influenced his artistry and his personal life.

Others have commented that characters such as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother portrayed by Nia Long, do not say much and feel like side characters despite being family. However, even if Katherine is considered a ‘side character’ in this biopic I would say that the way Michael behaves around her speaks volumes about their closeness.

The film also addresses his struggle with vitiligo, the medical condition which causes patches of skin to lose pigment over time. Many speculated about changes in his skin tone without understanding the medical cause. The inclusion of vitiligo helps clarify a widely misunderstood aspect of Michael Jackson's life and challenges long-standing misconceptions about his appearance.