"Michael" (2026) Celebrates a Passionate Tribute

Believe in your dreams.

"Michael" is a 2026 biopic on Michael Jackson’s rise to fame in his career. From his time in the Jackson 5 under his father’s domineering demands, Jackson slowly builds his own career on the stage. As he is a success onstage, stresses build up in his life.

Watching "Michael" was like experience a Michael Jackson concert. The new "Michael" biopic had been getting scattered mixed reviews. I always go into movies with an open mind. "Michael" is a passionate telling of the musicians life. The one thing I have mixed opinions about is the ending. Does it end too soon or just the right spot?

Jaafar Jackson brings his late uncle’s spirit to life in an incredible debut performance. It’s like Jackson’s spirit is shining through Jaafar. Jaafar manifest a moving vulnerability to Jackson. To get in the mindset of his late uncle, Jafaar spent time in the Jackson’s estate. While Jaafar did his own singings, his vocals were mixed with old recordings of Jackson.

I’ll be honest - I didn’t know who Michael Jackson was until the day he died. I was more into movies than music. Now I have come around to music more, listening to its stories. The film taught me more about Jackson, like his eye for movies. He was passionate about his career and self-image.

A talented team of actors star in Michael, from Colman Domingo as Jackson’s domineering father, and Nia Long as Jackson’s supportive mother. Miles Teller plays Jackson’s agent. More credits include KeiLyn Durret, Laura Harrier, Jessica Sula, Jamal R. Henderson, and Mike Myers.

Immense credit goes to 12-year-old Juliano Valdi as young Michael Jackson. While he has acted in TV, this marks Valdi’s feature debut. Valdi has always been a fan of Jackson’s music. He had to audition multiple times for the part, until he landed his dream role. His vocal work and dancing is superb, and captures the singer’s love for music.

"Michael" was directed by Antoine Fuque. When he signed on as director, Fuque approached it with a more human angle, approaching Jackson’s life with a more observational tone. He does a lot of recreating famous scenes than following a narrative.

The Thriller dance is the best scene. Now I cannot stop rewatching it on YouTube. It’s amazing how Fuque recreated the scene as a mirror image to the original music video. Filming actually transpired in the same location as the 80s music video.

Cinematographer Dion Beebe adds striking visuals, making it feel alive in every scene. Beebe’s lighting choices echo the different eras of Jackson’s career, defining his success or darkest times.

Fuqua did an excellent job of recreating Jackson’s most iconic moments, but leaves several personal moments off-screen. Several disputes happened during the filming, cutting scenes and actors from the film. Michael’s brothers aren’t given much characterization.

Here’s where I have mixed opinions about the movie. It ended too soon. The story concludes right when Jackson’s fame starts. Jackson underwent drug battles, legal issues with family, and other dark moments.

After some thought, it’s best that the film ended where it did. What would it have done if we had to watch his dark period unfold? We already know. However, it’s been reported that a sequel is in the works.

"Michael" is different from other biopics. It really shows audiences who Michael Jackson was, instead of acting as a reimagining. Everyone is going to have mixed opinions. Seeing "Michael" on the big screen is worth it for the music. Being surrounded by Michael Jackson fans enhanced the experience.