Recent reviews of the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, titled "Michael," have unleashed a torrent of criticism, with many labeling the film a "whitewash" and a "ghoulish" endeavor. The movie, which stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson in the titular role, navigates the singer's ascent from the Jackson 5 to global superstardom. While Jaafar Jackson's performance has drawn some praise for capturing his uncle's distinctive performance style, the film's overall reception among critics has been overwhelmingly negative.
The central controversy revolves around the film's deliberate omission of the sexual abuse allegations leveled against Michael Jackson. Reports indicate that an initial draft of the script included references to these accusations, with a significant portion of the third act intended to address a scandal involving Jordan Chandler, who was a minor at the time of the alleged incidents. However, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) reportedly led to the removal of this footage, leaving a void at the core of the narrative.
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Critics have been unsparing in their assessment of this narrative choice. The film is described as "deeply generic," a "stilted waxwork of a movie," and "a frustratingly shallow film" that adheres to "every music-movie cliche." Some reviews even go as far as to call it "one of the worst films of 2026" and "a soulless cash grab." The absence of any engagement with the controversies that defined Jackson's later life is seen as a "borderline-fatal flaw," rendering the film an incomplete and, for many, unbelievable account of the pop icon's existence.
"It's simply not credible for a film to claim to be about Michael Jackson without addressing, even obliquely, the accusations, controversies and sadness that dogged his later life." - The Telegraph
The film’s cast includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as entertainment lawyer John Branca. Despite the critical backlash, projections suggest the film may still achieve strong box office numbers, buoyed by Jackson's substantial and dedicated fanbase.
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The decision to exclude the allegations has fueled the film's controversial status even before its wide release, with some publications preemptively decrying it as a "shameful whitewash." This critical firestorm suggests that "Michael" may be remembered less for its cinematic merits and more for its selective storytelling and the heated debates it has ignited.
