How do you honor the biggest and most influential artist the world has ever seen? Director Antoine Fuqua undertook the challenging task and delivered an incredible film.
My statement isn’t one of bias; one simply has to look at the numbers. Michael Jackson’s Thriller (1982) is the best-selling album of all time. Sales exceeded 70 million copies, making it the first album to be certified 30x platinum in the United States. It was impressive hearing about The Eagles selling a million albums a month, every month, for over a year. So imagine my reaction after learning that Thriller sold 1 million copies per week during its popularity. “King of Pop” isn’t just a trendy title; it’s a level of respect that was earned.
The film follows Michael Jackson from his early days in the Jackson 5 to his status as the biggest artist in the world (1966-1988). Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad are some of the solo albums audiences will groove to while on this wild ride through his life. There’s plenty of music with the Jackson 5 as well. A host of visual cues will direct audiences to beloved tracks and show where certain inspirations originated.
Michael doesn’t just tell the story of Michael Jackson; it’s a masterclass in acting. Juliano Valdi gave a sensational performance as Young Michael, the youngest and lead singer of the group. Jaafar Jackson gave an amazing performance as the pop superstar, from his looks to his sound. Larenz Tate and Miles Teller (Berry Gordy and John Branca, respectively) were impressive in their pivotal roles in Michael’s career. Berry Gordy is best known for founding Motown Records, while John Branca was Michael’s longtime attorney and manager. KeiLyn Durrel Jones made an impression as Bill Bray, Michael’s personal bodyguard, who also shared words of wisdom. Lastly, and most importantly, if Colman Domingo doesn’t get an Academy Award for his portrayal of Joe Jackson, it will be absolutely criminal. He was snubbed for his masterful performance in Sing Sing; if the same happened here, it would be mind-blowing. From his look to his cues, it felt like Joe Jackson was onscreen.
One of the focal points followed in the film was the tumultuous relationship between Michael and his father, Joe. Michael referred to his mother, Katherine Jackson (Nia Long), as “mother,” while he referred to his father as simply “Joe.” Joe kept the boys on a strict schedule and was especially hard on Michael. His hard-nose approach was enough to get the boys noticed, but even as fame and fortune grew, Joe’s relentless pursuit of “more” never wavered, leaving Michael with no choice but to venture out as a solo artist. His father was an imposing figure, leaving high-powered attorneys and record executives avoiding direct contact where warranted.
While the film is amazing, the only issue I have is with the timeline structure. There was too much back and forth, say, jumping from 1969 to 1970, only to return to 1969. The choice of when and where to transition was questionable, too. Just when things would get interesting with Quincy Jones (Kendrick Sampson) or Berry Gordy, the setting would change. There’s an omission I would discuss if I didn’t feel like it was a spoiler, but I do feel like it would influence opinions before seeing the film.
Michael gets a 10 out of 10. This is the easiest film I’ve ever suggested to see in theaters. In IMAX quality, the soundtrack touches the soul with every guitar riff and bass pulse. His music will live on forever, and I know his streams will skyrocket once the film is released. It’s exciting to see how this new generation responds to such timeless music. The PG-13 rating is due to language, smoking, and some thematic material. And be on the lookout for Easter eggs!
Michael premieres in theaters on April 24.
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Lionsgate
Genre: Biography/Drama
Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 2hrs 7mins
Trailer: Watch
U.S. Release Date: April 24, 2026