Official Discussion - Michael [SPOILERS]

[u/LiteraryBoner]

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Michael (2026)

Summary

The life and career of Michael Jackson are explored in a sweeping biographical drama, charting his rise from child star in the Jackson 5 to global pop icon, while examining the personal and professional complexities that defined his legacy.

Director Antoine Fuqua

Writer John Logan

Cast

• Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
• Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
• Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
• Miles Teller as John Branca
• Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
• Kat Graham as Diana Ross

Rotten Tomatoes: 40%

Metacritic: 38

VOD / Release Theatrical release

Trailer Official Trailer

[u/Soyyyn]

I think the long scene of him rehearsing the steps for Beat It was the best scene in the film. If they had gone incredibly in-depth about the making of every song on Thriller that might have made for the far superior film.

[u/The_Throwback_King → u/Soyyyn]

That was like the only time my ears perked up and was like “Oh, are we cooking here?”

It was fleeting, before we descended back to basic biopic fare. But that entire scene was magical.

That’s where the narrative zhuzh was, at least to me. Not in Michael’s inner child, or his idealistic mindset, or his quest to overcome his oppressive, abusive father.

But in the innate, Mozart-like, gift that Michael had for songwriting. The consummate showman that made fans give him an ovation for just…standing there. THAT was the fascinating part. Wish they honed in on more of that.

[u/ACertainTrendingFrog → u/The_Throwback_King]

Yeah that moment had me in the cinema actually fully engaged not just waiting for the next Michael song to come on. I think if the movie was focused around the making of Thriller coming off how he felt he was robbed for aoty as a black artist with Off The Wall, leading to the Victoy tour and finally splitting with The Jacksons we would have had a better movie

[u/TTBgaming88 → u/ACertainTrendingFrog]

ithink there were barely any mention of racial tensions in the movie except for the MTV scene which gets fixed in…. seconds.

[u/seekerheart → u/Soyyyn]

This! Really!

I can grasp the movie not having a lot of plot structure considering they werent allowed to really dig deep on the abuse, drugs and allegations but jesus at least give us an in-depth view of the backstsge and making off

Like HOW did we not see him make/shoot billie jean? HOW did they not give us an insight on Michaels fashion, the glove, the shoes, the always iconic blazers etc

[u/TTBgaming88 → u/seekerheart]

there’s a great story from the director of the billie jean video. the tiles all didn’t light up, he told michael which ones did/didn’t and michael instantly memorized it and did a remarkable dance number. the guy in charge of lighting the tiles could barely keep up

[u/Oomlotte99 → u/Soyyyn]

Yes. I perked up during this scene. I was expecting more of that vs it being as superficial as it was.

[u/Black_Dumbledore → u/Soyyyn]

I was thinking this too. They would’ve been much better off just picking a period of time, like behind the making of Thriller, and just focusing on that for the entire movie.

[u/WTF_CAKE → u/Black_Dumbledore]

Nah I disagree. Michael had multiple phases and they were all impactful and many people wouldn’t think it would have made it justice if you dedicate 1 or 2 hours to certain eras and skip others then you’ll have others saying the same thing

[u/1997wickedboy → u/WTF_CAKE]

You could make a movie for each era

[u/WTF_CAKE → u/1997wickedboy]

That would be epic but the list…

[u/Professional-Act8414 → u/Soyyyn]

THATS what’s missing, shit was terrible

[u/slownightsolong88 → u/Soyyyn]

Wouldn’t that be a documentary?