Michael Jackson has been several things in his lifetime. Iconic, legendary, incredibly talented, but quiet has certainly not been one of them. Years after his death, his name still comes up often in the industry, more often than some living artists. It is either reminding people of his incredible talent, sparking a fierce debate, or showcasing his many unbeatable moments.
With the release of the new biopic, Michael, fresh fuel has been poured on the fire surrounding the late Michael Jackson. On one side, there is celebration; on the other, discomfort. Somewhere in between lies a family torn between protecting his memory and asking questions.
The movie stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew. He plays the role of Michael, which adds a personal layer to the film. Since its worldwide release on April 24, 2026, there has been a mix of reactions.
A film about Michael Jackson, but not about all of him
The movie follows the young star of the Jackson 5 group as he journeys to stardom. It focuses on his rise to fame and worldwide recognition, rather than the entire story about his life. However, the earliest versions of the film reportedly captured the good, bad and everything in between, including the 1993 Neverland Ranch raid tied to allegations of child sexual abuse. Legal restrictions and past agreements, however, put a limit on what could be shown, and the 1993 scandal was removed. The version released is more about the late superstar’s legacy and performance, and while some fans supported this side of it, others have called it half of the true story.
A family that isn’t telling one story
The late singer’s daughter, Paris Jackson, has not been fully involved in the final version of the film. She shared that she was initially on board and gave her feedback. But she had to step away when she perceived that the direction was far from what she believed was accurate. The reactions of the Jackson family show contrasting views regarding the biopic. While some family members believe that the film pays tribute to Michael Jackson’s global influence, others are largely quiet on the matter. At the centre of it all is a shared concern to put a story out there that truly reflects who he was. However, Michael Jackson’s story is saturated with controversy and uncertainty. The bigger question is who gets to define the story of someone who is no longer here?
The biopic problem never really goes away
Biopics have always been this way. They tell real-life stories of people through a specific lens, and not the entire story. So, while a biopic is based on a real-life story, it has selective storytelling, which is evident in the film about Michael Jackson. Oftentimes, we believe that biopics fully capture all the details about the character’s life, but this isn’t always so. Most of the time, we only get to see the film after it has undergone ultra-filtration through legal and emotional lenses. It’s the story, yes, just without a few vital parts.
What happens now?
The film will play, and people will watch. There will be unanswered questions, and people will try to fill in the gaps with what they know about it. It may spark a new layer of controversy or remind people of past hurt. Die-hard fans will certainly love watching the rise of their icon through a well-written screenplay, not minding the filters applied. What matters is they get to see the making of a star, their star. One whose legacy lives on.
