The new Michael Jackson movie is facing a massive wave of negative reactions online. Critics and fans are flooding social media with harsh words, calling the biopic a big miss. Despite having the late singer’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the lead role, the film is being labeled a “terrible film” and a “whitewash” of the pop icon’s complicated life. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is supposed to celebrate the “King of Pop,” but many say it hides the most difficult parts of his story.
The Biopic Gets a 35% Rotten Tomatoes Score and One-Star Reviews
The numbers for Michael are not good. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a low 35% score based on over 95 reviews. Major news outlets have given the movie one-star ratings. The Guardian called it a “frustratingly shallow, inert picture” that plays like a long trailer. The Independent went further, describing the film as a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.” BBC Culture did not hold back either, stating bluntly: “It’s bad. It’s bad. It’s really, really bad,” comparing it to a bland daytime TV movie. The overwhelming consensus from critics is that the film fails as a piece of cinema, with many wondering how a story this big ended up so boring.
The Film Ends in 1988 to Avoid the Child Abuse Allegations
The biggest complaint about Michael is what the movie leaves out. The story stops in 1988, right at the end of Jackson’s “Bad” tour. This is years before the child s*xual abuse allegations that dominated the later part of his life and damaged his reputation. The choice to end the film early makes the story feel incomplete. Critics say the movie refuses to address the “elephant in the room.” The Telegraph wrote that avoiding the accusations is a “borderline-fatal problem” for a film that claims to be about the real Michael Jackson. The movie shows the superstar at his peak, but never shows the fall, which leaves the story feeling like a lie.
15 Million in Reshoots to Remove Accuser Jordan Chandler
The reason for the missing third act is a legal issue. Reports show the film originally had a different ending focused on the 1993 scandal involving a 13-year-old boy named Jordan Chandler. However, lawyers for the Jackson Estate found a clause in the old settlement with Chandler. That clause forbids any movie from showing or mentioning him. This mistake forced the filmmakers to scrap the original ending. The cast had to come back for 22 days of reshoots to create a new final act. This added $15 million to the budget, which the Jackson Estate had to pay for. The movie now ends on a high note, right before Jackson’s life started to fall apart, just to follow the rules of a legal contract.
Jaafar Jackson’s Performance Is the Only Bright Spot
Even though the movie is getting terrible reviews, almost everyone agrees on one thing: Jaafar Jackson is amazing in the title role. Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, and he captures his uncle’s voice, dance moves, and presence perfectly. One critic said Jaafar “brought his uncle back to life.” Viewers say that when he performs the classic songs and the moonwalk, it feels like watching the real Michael Jackson on screen. However, even this great performance could not save the film. Some critics even argue that casting a family member was a clever way for the estate to keep control of the story and stop any tough questions from being asked.
Paris Jackson and Janet Jackson Distance Themselves From the Film
The drama behind Michael is not just about the critics. Jackson’s own family is split over the project. His daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly distanced herself from the film. She said she read early scripts and found “inaccuracy and full-blown lies.” She claims the movie “panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in a fantasy.” She is not involved in the movie at all. Janet Jackson, Michael’s famous sister, also refused to take part. Reports say she was “very critical” of the film during a private screening. She had problems with the acting, the makeup, and how the actors walked. Having two of the people closest to Jackson reject the film makes the movie’s truthfulness even more questionable.
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Fans and Critics Agree the Movie Feels Like a Sanitized Product
The general feeling online is that Michael is a safe, clean, and dishonest look at a very messy life. The Independent review said the movie blurs the line between “cinema and merchandise.” Viewers feel like the film is just a long ad for Jackson’s music, designed to make money without taking any risks. One Reddit user summed up the feeling perfectly, calling it a “safe sanded-down nothing but casual-pleaser.” The film tries to please both loyal fans who want a celebration and critics who want the truth. By trying to do both, it ended up pleasing no one, leaving a movie that one critic said “makes Michael Jackson… utterly boring.”
The Movie Releases in Theaters on April 24
Michael will hit theaters in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India on April 24. The film has a runtime of over two hours and features many of Jackson’s biggest hits. Lionsgate is handling the distribution. The cast includes Colman Domingo as father Joe Jackson, Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca. While the movie is expected to make money at the box office thanks to Jackson’s global fanbase, the early word-of-mouth is very negative. The controversy has turned the release into a major talking point, but not for the reasons the studio hoped.
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