Despite the critics and the low ratings on credited movie sites, I didn’t care. As a long-time fan, I knew this was going to be special—and I was right. The Michael biopic provides an intimate insight into the King of Pop that many of us have never seen. We get rare glimpses into his home life, the meticulous process behind his iconic music videos, raw studio sessions, and the high-stakes boardroom meetings where massive deals were made. From his childhood to the harrowing hospital scenes following the Pepsi accident, the film covers a staggering amount of ground.

The Cast & Local Connections

The casting was full of surprises. I had to double-check a few times to realize I was looking at Mike Myers and Deon Cole. Miles Teller—one of my favorite new-age actors—put in a solid performance as John Branca. Then there’s Larenz Tate, the ageless actor who seems destined to master every role set in the ’70s; as always, he delivered a top-notch performance.

On a personal note, a huge shout-out to KeiLyn Durrel Jones, who played Bill. He’s actually from where I grew up and went to high school in my county. He’s friends with people I know personally, so seeing him land such a pivotal role was a major highlight for me.

The Drive for Greatness

One thing that truly stood out was Michael’s relentless drive to be the biggest star in the world. I used to think that status was just a natural byproduct of his talent and records, but the film shows he was methodically planning his ascent to the top. We follow this journey from his well-documented childhood through his teen and adult years, navigating complex relationships with his brothers, his father, and his transition into a solo powerhouse. The recreations of the Off the Wall and Thriller eras, including the making of the “Beat It” and “Thriller” videos, were phenomenal.

I actually fact-checked the film’s accuracy against original footage—specifically the Pepsi accident and his interactions with burn victims—and the production team nailed it. From the outfits to the recreations of live performances, the attention to detail was stunning.

Jaafar Jackson: A Star is Born

We have to talk about Jaafar Jackson. This is his first acting role ever, and he stepped into the shoes of his uncle under the highest pressure imaginable. He spent two years preparing, and he absolutely killed it. While they layered real vocals with his own (similar to the Bob Marley biopic), the performance was all Jaafar. There were moments in this film where Jaafar completely disappeared, and I saw Michael 100%. To my knowledge, this is only the second time a family member has played a lead like this—the first being O’Shea Jackson Jr. playing Ice Cube in Straight Outta Compton.

The Gripes

No movie is perfect. I noticed a few minor inconsistencies, like Michael holding a mic during the Motown 25 moonwalk. My main issue, however, was the makeup. At times, it felt far too thick, especially in vulnerable moments where he was just at home chilling with his mother. I understand the need to match Michael’s aesthetic, but they could have toned it down for the domestic scenes. Also, the Thriller werewolf makeup? Not great.

The “What Ifs” & The Future

After some digging, I found some fascinating behind-the-scenes info. Derek Luke is in the credits as Johnny Cochran, yet he’s nowhere in the film. This suggests they filmed the 1993 trials but cut them for legal reasons. Janet Jackson is also missing, reportedly due to internal family disagreements regarding the film. I even saw production photos of Colman Domingo with test shots for The Wiz in the background, proving that so much more was filmed than what made the final cut.

The end credits stated “His Story Continues,” and with reports of a sequel already green-lit, it’s clear this is just the beginning.

The Verdict

This is easily one of the best music biopics ever made. Keeping the role in the family was the best decision the estate could have made. Jaafar Jackson took on a monumental challenge and delivered the best version of Michael we will ever see on screen.