‘Michael’ Biopic Receives Harsh Backlash From Critics: Rotten Tomatoes Score, More Reviews

Kaitlin Simpson Tue, April 21, 2026 at 10:06 PM UTC

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Courtesy of Lionsgate

When it comes to the biopic about the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, the critics are unimpressed.

The film, aptly named Michael, tells the story of the singer’s life from his early days leading the Jackson 5 to his solo time on stage as the biggest entertainer in the world. Michael’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle in the biopic. (Jafaar, 29, is the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson.)

While the film has yet to be released to the public — it hits theaters on Friday, April 24 — early critic reviews are in and, well, they’re not great. On Rotten Tomatoes, Michael has received a rating of 32 percent at the time of publication, earning mixed reviews from critics.

“This is a movie terrified to explore the interiority of its protagonist, and that approach will work just fine for the fans who just want to watch an uncomplicated ramble of a movie that plays all the hits,” a critic from Consequence wrote in a review giving the film a C minus rating.

Janet Jackson’s Nephew and Creative Director Deny She Feuded With Jermaine at ‘Michael’ Screening

The also gave Michael one and half stars out of four.

“The nostalgia of Michael is for more than Michael Jackson. But blindly believing only in that celebrity, in that fantasy, is repeating a sad history all over again,” the review read.

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Despite receiving harsh backlash from some, other critics shared praise for the biopic.

“Simply put, this is not a movie about Michael Jackson’s dark side. Yet the surprise of “Michael” is how well it plays, and what an engrossing middle-of-the-road biopic it is,” Variety wrote.

Deadline applauded Jaafar’s performance in his film debut writing, “This guy channels Uncle Michael in uncanny ways, and simply sells this performance with all the right dance moves and sharp dramatic talent to make us believe Michael Jackson is once again with us.”

Paris Jackson Denies Involvement in ‘Michael’ Biopic After Colman Domingo Claimed She Helped Him Prepare

Earlier this week, several members of the Jackson family attended the Los Angeles premiere for the film. Michael’s siblings Jermaine, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson and Jackie Jackson, as well as his son Prince, 29, were all in attendance at the Monday, April 20, event in Los Angeles.

Michael’s sister Janet Jackson and daughter Paris Jackson were noticeably missing from the premiere. Paris has been outspoken against the film and shared that she has “zero percent involvement” in the project.

“I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my thoughts on what was dishonest/didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life,” Paris wrote via her Instagram Story in 2025. “Not my monkeys not my circus. God bless and god speed.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”