Michael Jackson Biopic Movie Is Best Enjoyed Knowing This Beforehand

With the Michael Jackson biopic movie having now arrived, there are a few things that audience members might want to know about the movie before walking into the theater.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael is a new biopic about Michael Jackson that comes from Lionsgate Films. Jaafar Jackson — who is the real-life nephew of the King of Pop — plays the titular character in the movie, while the cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joseph Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Scruse-Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and more.

“Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known,” the official synopsis reads. “The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.”

What should Michael audiences know about the movie beforehand?

Before walking into the theater, Michael audiences should know that the movie doesn’t address any of the controversy surrounding Jackson’s life. Rather, the movie plays more of a straightforward biopic and as a concert film that is purely about Jackson’s rise to stardom and music.

This has resulted in many critics disliking the movie — the film currently has a 39 percent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes — as they feel it purposefully ignores the more complicated or negative sides of Jackson. Many are, however, praising Jaafar Jackson’s performance.

Appearing on the Today show, Domingo said the movie doesn’t address any of the allegations against Jackson, as the movie takes place from the ‘60s to 1988. He did say there could be a sequel that “may deal with some other things that happened afterwards.”

Domingo further commented, “This is about the making of Michael, how he was raised, and then how he was trying to find his voice as an artist and be a solo artist. That’s what I have to say about that.”