‘Soulless Cash Grab’: Michael Jackson Biopic Slammed by Critics Over Sanitized Narrative

The upcoming biopic Michael, which aims to tell the story of Michael Jackson’s journey from a young star in Jackson 5 to becoming a global icon, is set to release worldwide on April 24, 2026.

However, the biopic has received mixed-to-negative early reviews from critics.

The film stars the late musician’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson, who plays the role of the King of Pop.

Several critics are upset with the biopic, as most feel that the movie avoids the darker parts of Jackson’s life and just focuses on his fame.

According to them, the film feels like a polished version of events, rather than an authentic biopic.

Although the biopic is based on the pop star’s life, it seems to avoid the s*xual abuse allegations that marked the later part of Jackson's career.

Reportedly, the film’s third act originally included references to the allegations involving Jordan Chandler.

However, according to Variety, footage referencing the allegations was scrapped from the final cut of the film, along with any mention of child molestation charges.

Based on a prior non-disclosure agreement (NDA), Chandler had forbidden the depiction or mention of him in any film.

The cuts required reshoots that have drawn criticism from reviewers ahead of the wide release.

While The Hollywood Reporter stated that the film “delivers for lifelong fans who cherish the music,” The Telegraph noted that it “refuses to address the elephant in the room.”

Meanwhile, in a two-star review, The Guardian critic Peter Bradshaw wrote that the movie is “rammed with every music-movie cliche” and plays “like a 127-minute trailer montage.”

The Independent's Clarisse Loughrey described the film as a "ghoulish, soulless cash grab."

In her review, Loughrey also compared Michael to other recent music biopics, and stated that "the line between 'cinema' and 'merchandise' has come close to being obliterated."

In addition, Deadline's Pete Hammond said that the film "falls short of giving any new insights.”

Weighing in on similar issues, Danny Leigh of the Financial Times awarded the biopic one star and said that the movie "goes big on the messianic, and much smaller on the inner life."

Following the early critic reviews, Michael landed a low 35 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The biopic traces Jackson's life and rise to stardom, with Jaafar, 29, playing the titular role. The film uses the late singer's original vocals for its musical scenes.

Backed by the Michael Jackson estate, the film features Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson. Miles Teller, known for Top Gun: Maverick, plays Jackson's attorney John Branca.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, who's known for films like Training Day and The Equalizer, Michael aims to present both Jackson’s personal life and iconic professional life.

The film was initially expected to address the sexual abuse allegations against Jackson, of which he was acquitted in 2005. Jordan Chandler, who was 13 at the time of the allegations, had accused Jackson of abusive behavior.

However, owing to the earlier mentioned NDA, the film's ending was rewritten and reshot to conclude in the late 1980s, before the first allegations arose.