The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has arrived in theaters amid a storm of criticism, with reviewers across Europe labeling it one of the most misleading biopics ever made. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson in the title role, has been accused of whitewashing the singer’s legacy by omitting pivotal moments in his life, particularly the child abuse allegations that defined his later years.
According to multiple verified reports, the movie’s narrative deliberately avoids any mention of the 1993 accusations made by Jordan Chandler or the 2003 trial that followed, despite these events being central to understanding Jackson’s cultural impact. Instead, the film concludes with Jackson on his “Bad” tour in the late 1980s, presenting a sanitized arc that ends before the controversies emerged.
This editorial choice has drawn sharp rebukes from critics who argue that the film fails to grapple with the full complexity of its subject. Dutch newspaper Het Parool described it as “possibly the most misleading biopic ever made,” while Belgium’s NU.nl framed the consensus as a scathing indictment of the film’s reluctance to engage with hard truths.
The controversy is compounded by the film’s troubled production history. As reported by Variety, Lionsgate undertook extensive reshoots costing over $10 million after discovering a legal restriction in a settlement with Jordan Chandler that barred the depiction of the accuser in any film. This forced the removal of an original ending that had depicted Jackson confronting the allegations at Neverland Ranch in 1993.
Antoine Fuqua, known for gritty dramas like “Training Day,” was brought on to direct the project, which was intended to explore both Jackson’s meteoric rise and the psychological toll of fame. However, sources confirm that the final cut shifted focus almost exclusively to his early career with the Jackson 5 and his solo breakthroughs in the 1970s and 1980s, omitting not only the allegations but also his later artistic evolution.
Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson, was cast in the lead role primarily for his physical resemblance to the singer. Critics from the BBC noted that while he captures Jackson’s likeness, his performance lacks emotional depth, particularly in scenes meant to convey inner turmoil. The portrayal relies heavily on smiling interactions with family and visits to children’s hospitals, reinforcing a one-note image of innocence.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray Joe and Katherine Jackson, with Domingo’s performance as the patriarch drawing particular scrutiny for its cartoonish severity. Reviewers described his character as an “evil goblin” figure whose repeated warnings to “remember your family” come across as reductive and lacking nuance.
The film’s distributor has not screened the movie for journalists ahead of release, a decision understood in light of the widespread criticism. Limited interviews with the cast have been granted, but no major press junket has occurred, further fueling speculation about the studio’s confidence in the final product.
Despite the backlash, the film represents a significant cultural moment as the first major studio biopic granted access to Jackson’s music and personal archives through cooperation with the Jackson estate. That access, however, appears to have come with constraints that shaped the narrative toward reverence rather than reckoning.
As of April 22, 2026, the movie is playing in theaters worldwide, with box office figures not yet publicly available. No official statement has been issued by Lionsgate or the Jackson estate in response to the critical reception.
For ongoing updates on the film’s performance and any potential responses from the production team, readers are encouraged to monitor official studio channels and reputable entertainment news outlets.
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