April 22, (THEWILL) — The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” has received mixed to negative early reviews ahead of its global release on April 24, 2026.
The reviews come from early screenings, including the world premiere in Berlin on April 10 and the U.S. premiere in Los Angeles on April 20.
The review restrictions were lifted on April 21, allowing critics to publish their full opinions.
Critics from media outlets such as The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and the BBC described the film as a “sanitised” version of Michael Jackson’s life. Some also called it a “whitewash” because it avoids key parts of his story.
The film is backed by the Michael Jackson estate and ends in 1988, before the child sexual abuse allegations against the singer emerged in the 1990s.
In a two-star review, The Guardian described the film as a “frustratingly shallow, inert picture” that “plays like a 127-minute trailer montage assembling every music-movie cliché you can think of.”
The Independent gave it one star and called it a “ghoulish, soulless cash grab.”
Critics also pointed to the absence of child sexual abuse allegations in the film.
However, some performances received praise. Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle Michael, has been widely highlighted for his performance. The Hollywood Reporter described it as “phenomenal” and “uncanny”.
Colman Domingo also received praise for his portrayal of Joe Jackson, while the film’s musical sequences were described as “brilliant and thrilling” by some reviewers.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film runs for approximately 127 minutes and focuses on Jackson’s rise from the Jackson 5 era to his global solo success.
Despite the criticism, some reviewers said fans may still enjoy the music and performances, even if its storytelling has been widely questioned.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
