Michael Jackson's Nephew Claps Back at Critics as Biopic Nears Release

Here we go again with another high-profile music biopic, this time taking a big swing at the moonwalking legend himself. After what feels like an eternity in development limbo—and not a small pile of delays—the Michael Jackson movie, simply called 'Michael', is finally hitting theaters (and IMAX, if you want the full spectacle) this week. Judging by early reactions, it’s one of the year’s big-ticket releases, but not exactly for the reasons the filmmakers probably hoped.

Critics Aren't Impressed (and They're Not Being Shy About It)

So, let’s not sugarcoat this: the critical reception so far has been brutal. Before it even landed with general audiences, advance reviews started rolling in and, honestly, they’re pretty scathing. The Rotten Tomatoes score is way down in the basement. Most critics are calling out what they see as a whitewashed, super-polished retelling of Jackson’s life that ducks the trickier, messier corners of his story. Words like 'sanitized' and 'style over substance' are popping up so much you start to think there’s a group chat involved.

The general vibe? The movie looks glossy and ambitious, but apparently doesn’t bring much new to the table—especially when it comes to tough subject matter that’s hard to sidestep if you’re making a film about Michael Jackson.

A First-Time Lead... But With Family Ties

The one element everyone agrees is interesting: Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew, is stepping into the iconic white socks for his feature debut. That’s right, they went for family authenticity, which could either be a major plus or a tricky double-edged sword—depending on whom you ask.

The Director—and Now, the Defenders

Antoine Fuqua (known for movies like 'Training Day' and 'The Equalizer') is at the helm here. You’d think his experience with tense, gritty stories would make him a good fit for a Jackson biopic with real bite, but critics say what’s on the screen is much glossier than gritty.

With all the negative chatter swirling, it didn’t take long for the Jackson family to weigh in online. One Jackson family member (they’re not shy, are they?) has been pretty vocal on social media, jumping in to defend both Fuqua’s vision and the film as a whole. Clearly, there’s already a divide brewing between critics and those closest to the story.

What You Get in 'Michael'

• Jaafar Jackson takes the lead as Michael—his first time starring in a feature film, but he’s got the family genes for it.
• Directed by Antoine Fuqua, who usually brings out a lot more grit in his movies than critics say you’ll find here.
• The controversy is less about performances and more about the film’s unwillingness to dive deep into controversial chapters of Michael’s life.
• Release is happening on both regular and IMAX screens, so you can pick your level of immersion.

Look, to be fair, this is one of those movies where the pre-release buzz says less about the box office and more about who the intended audience actually is. If you’re a fan of Jackson, the music, or you’re just here for the spectacle, you’ll probably find things to enjoy—even if the critics are already lining up to moonwalk over it.

'Sanitized storytelling' and 'style over substance'—critics’ early consensus on 'Michael'

Bottom line: For better or worse, 'Michael' is landing this week, and the off-screen drama is already almost as dramatic as anything you’ll see on the big screen. Grab your popcorn.