How Accurate Is The ‘Michael’ Movie in Portraying Real Events From The Life Of The King Of Pop?

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 24, 2026. The upcoming biographical drama will cover the journey of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, including his career as a solo artist. Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is playing the lead, alongside other popular faces such as Nia Long, Miles Teller, and more.

While the movie is yet to be released on the big screen, critics have already shared their reviews online. The response hasn’t been highly positive, and there are several reasons for that. Keep reading to find out whether Michael is faithful to real-life events and whether the makers are bringing an accurate story to the audience! (Spoilers ahead)

Michael reportedly brings a different side of the late artist to the screen

As per the early reactions to Michael, Jaafar Jackson’s performance as Michael Jackson has been highly appreciated. But some reviews have claimed that the film has brought a different side of Michael to the screen. One of the reactions said that the film portrays Michael Jackson as an individual who was always kind towards children and did a lot of charitable work for them.

Furthermore, the review says that Michael appears as a person whose sufferings were a result of things done by other people. The reaction stated that the King of Pop has been portrayed in such a manner that he does not have any problems at all, and makes him distinct at the same time. 

Michael ends on a cliffhanger by reportedly ignoring a portion of his career

Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, and he was 50 years old at that time. He was preparing for another concert residency before his demise. Meanwhile, early reactions to Michael have revealed that the makers have avoided bringing everything related to his career between 1988 and 2009. A particular review mentions that the film ends with Michael performing single, Bad, in the UK, in 1988. This is followed by a title card, which reads, “His Story Continues.” While this has hinted towards a sequel, the makers have not confirmed anything from their side so far.

Antoine Fuqua has previously opened up on how he aimed to show Michael Jackson on screen

Antoine Fuqua, who has directed Michael, said in an interview in April 2026 that Michael intends to bring a different side of Jackson instead of the personality that people witnessed when he performed on stage. During his conversation with Black Girl Nerds, Antoine said that the King of Pop’s story has many iconic moments, and the makers intended to ensure that the movie was personal and intimate, helping people to know Jackson as a “human being.”

In a recent interview with The Credits, Antoine opened up on whether the crew members who worked with Jackson helped in the making of the film. Fuqua addressed the same by saying:

“We had band members come by, and Rich and Tone 9, Michael’s choreographers, worked with Jaafar every day. As a Jackson, he had his own connections with his family and his dad, Jermaine, but all those things came into play to make it authentic.”

What are your thoughts about the details revealed about Michael in the early reactions? Let us know.

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