Michael Jackson Biopic Earns Glowing Early Reviews: 'Genuinely Uncanny' Performance

The highly anticipated film about the King of Pop's life and career premieres to strong praise for its lead actor.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 12:26am

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An abstract close-up image of glittering sequins and shattered glass, conveying the glamour and tragedy of Michael Jackson's life through dramatic lighting and texture.The highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic promises to capture the dazzling highs and haunting lows of the King of Pop's legendary life and career.Los Angeles Today

The new Michael Jackson biopic, simply titled 'Michael,' has just premiered in Berlin, Germany, and the first reactions from critics and film fans are overwhelmingly positive. The movie, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as the legendary singer, is being hailed for its authenticity, emotional depth, and Jaafar's 'genuinely uncanny' performance that captures both Michael's iconic persona and his personal struggles.

Why it matters

Music biopics have had mixed results in recent years, but the early buzz suggests 'Michael' could be a standout, doing justice to one of the most famous and influential entertainers of all time. The film's attention to detail in recreating Michael's most iconic performances, along with its willingness to explore the darker aspects of his life, have critics excited to see the final product.

The details

The film covers Michael Jackson's early life and rise to fame with the Jackson 5, through the height of his solo career in the 1980s. Newcomer Jaafar Jackson, Michael's 29-year-old nephew, has been singled out for his transformative performance, with reviewers praising his ability to nail both Michael's signature dance moves and vocal stylings while also delivering a 'grounded' and 'vulnerable' portrayal of the troubled star. Colman Domingo also earns strong reviews for his supporting role as the Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson.

  • The Michael Jackson biopic premiered in Berlin, Germany on April 10, 2026.
  • The film is scheduled to hit theaters in the United States on April 24, 2026.

The players

Antoine Fuqua

The director of the Michael Jackson biopic, known for films like Training Day and The Equalizer trilogy.

Jaafar Jackson

The 29-year-old nephew of Michael Jackson, who stars as the legendary singer in the biopic.

Colman Domingo

The actor who plays Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, in the film.

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What they’re saying

“#MichaelMovie is why we go to the movies. Thriller, Beat It, etc recreated to perfection - genuinely couldn't resist a head bump and finger tap at any moment. Makes you smile where it wants to, wince where it needs to. Colman is your earliest supporting actor candidate. Some pacing woes, but strong stuff all around. Can't wait to see this one with a crowd. HEE HEE.”

— Liam T. Crowley, ScreenRant

“If there's anything to give Jaafar Jackson and Antoine Fuqua credit for, it's that they weren't interested in doing an easy recreation of MJ's life. The two genuinely capture how MJ was a deeply lonely individual who was scarred by fame, showing his flaws alongside the good. It would have been easy to get someone who can do all the dance moves and mimic MJ's voice, but Jafaar can do all of that while delivering a truly grounded performance that feels vulnerable. It's genuinely uncanny how much he feels like the real MJ at times.”

— Andrew J., Discussing Film

“#Michael features two absolutely smashing performances, Jaafar Jackson is ELECTRIC in his role, while Colman Domingo is monstrous as Joe Jackson. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but the journey there is fascinating and fitting of the greatest entertainer of our time.”

— Hunter B.

What’s next

The Michael Jackson biopic is scheduled to hit theaters in the United States on April 24, 2026, following its world premiere in Berlin.

The takeaway

Early reviews suggest the Michael Jackson biopic could be one of the best music biopics in years, thanks to a standout lead performance from Jaafar Jackson and the film's willingness to explore both the highs and lows of the King of Pop's life and career. Fans are eager to see if the final product lives up to the hype when it arrives in theaters later this month.