There are certain artists you discover, and then there are artists who are simply always there. For me, Michael Jackson falls into the second category. I grew up listening to his music, attempting dance moves I could never pull off, and knowing the words to songs long before I understood what they meant.
Naturally, Michael was one of my most anticipated watches of the year, more than The Devil Wears Prada 2. A film about one of the most influential artists of all time was always going to come with big expectations. Some of those expectations were met, some weren’t, and some left me wanting more.
Here are 15 thoughts I had while watching Michael.
1. First things first: there are moments when Jaafar Jackson looks so much like Michael that it’s genuinely uncanny.
I knew Michael’s nephew was playing him, but there were scenes where I completely forgot I was watching an actor. Certain smiles, expressions, head tilts, even the way he carried himself felt so incredibly Michael. Sure, it’s family, the bloodline is there, but it still catches you off guard every time.
2. You genuinely feel Michael’s childhood and that’s what stayed with me the most.
Before the fame, before the records, before the moonwalk, he was just a kid. A child who wanted friends, freedom, and a normal life. The film constantly reminds you of that. Every rehearsal, every performance, every demand placed on him felt like another piece of childhood being taken away.
3. Speaking of childhood the pressure from Joe Jackson was heartbreaking to watch.
Some people will argue that Joe’s strictness made the Jacksons successful and that everything he did was for his family. Maybe. But as Gen Z, I can’t help but disagree. Success shouldn’t come at the cost of a childhood. Watching Michael and his brothers constantly pushed toward perfection made me wonder how much joy they were allowed to have. Coleman Domingo does an incredible job as Joe Jackson because he never turns him into a cartoon villain. He’s complicated, intimidating, and at times difficult to watch.
4. Katherine Jackson was the emotional heart of the film.
The relationship between Michael and his mother was one of my favourite parts. She felt like his safe space in a world that constantly demanded something from him. One scene that particularly stayed with me is when Michael is already a global superstar but still spends an evening at home with his mother, watching an old black-and-white movie with a huge bowl of popcorn. For someone who lived such an extraordinary life, those ordinary moments felt incredibly special.
5. The transition into “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” was perfection.
As someone who pays attention to details like this, I absolutely loved it. Watching Jaafar recording the song and then seamlessly transitioning into the real track felt magical. The synchronization, the vocals, the editing – it was one of those moments that reminded me why Michael’s music still feels timeless. To add to that, I absolutely applaud the process behind Beat It and Thriller – research based, getting all the nitty gritty details right!
6. As a lifelong Michael Jackson fan, the second half felt like a concert.
And I mean that in the best possible way. Once the iconic songs start rolling in, you almost stop feeling like you’re watching a biopic. It becomes an experience. I found myself smiling through entire sequences because these are songs I’ve heard hundreds of times. Seeing the recreation of those performances on the big screen was honestly a treat.
7. At times, I wanted the film to slow down and let certain moments breathe.
This was probably my biggest issue with the movie. Some scenes feel too long while others are over before they’ve really begun. We move from one major moment in Michael’s life to another so quickly that occasionally it feels like we’re checking boxes instead of living through them. I wanted more of the personal moments, more of the struggles behind the success, more time with certain relationships. Instead, some parts arrive and disappear almost as quickly.
8. I really liked Miles Teller as John Branca.
You could immediately understand why Michael trusted him. Their dynamic worked, and honestly, I would’ve liked to see even more of it. One of my favourite scenes is their first meeting when Michael casually tells Branca to fire his father as manager. The expressions, the timing, the humour – it landed perfectly. Even with limited screen time, Miles Teller made an impression.
9. The Bill Bray friendship was one of the film’s most underrated relationships.
Michael spends so much of the film surrounded by people who either need something from him or expect something from him. That’s why I found his bond with Bill Bray, his longtime bodyguard, so touching. There was a sense of trust there that felt rare. Michael could joke with him, confide in him, and simply be himself. In a life where everyone seemed to see the superstar first, Bill seemed to see the person. I actually would’ve liked more scenes between them because some of the film’s most human moments came from relationships like these.
10. The film doesn’t shy away from Michael’s insecurities.
One thing I appreciated was that it doesn’t present him as this untouchable icon who walked into every room knowing he was Michael Jackson. Beneath the confidence and the performances, you see someone constantly questioning himself, chasing perfection (getting a nose job) and wondering if he’s done enough. For a man who changed music forever, there was still so much self-doubt.
11. But at times, the film feels almost too protective of him.
And this is where I found myself conflicted. A biopic doesn’t need to tear someone down, but it shouldn’t be afraid to ask difficult questions either. There were moments where it felt like the film was carefully managing Michael’s image rather than fully exploring it. As an audience member, I wanted a little more honesty and complexity.
12. The controversy hanging over Michael’s legacy is noticeably absent.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Whether you believe the allegations against Michael Jackson or not, they became a huge part of how the world viewed him. While watching, I kept wondering when the film would start addressing that chapter of his life. It never really does. That absence is noticeable, especially for viewers who know the full story.
13. Then again, maybe that’s intentional.
The film repeatedly feels like the first chapter rather than the complete story. It focuses heavily on Michael’s rise, his artistry, and his journey to becoming a global phenomenon. Given the way it ends, I wouldn’t be surprised if the more controversial and complicated years are being saved for a continuation. Whether that’s the right choice or not is another discussion.
14. The movie occasionally feels like it’s in a rush.
Some moments are given room to breathe, while others fly by so quickly that you’re left wanting more. Relationships, career milestones, personal struggles — a few of them feel condensed when they could’ve benefited from another scene or two. It’s one of those films where I occasionally found myself thinking, “Wait, that’s it? We’re moving on already?”
15. By the end, I felt equal parts admiration, sadness and somewhat unnsatisfied.
Admiration because the talent was undeniable. Watching Michael create, perform, and push boundaries reminded me why he became one of the biggest artists in history. Sadness because beneath all the success was a child who never really got to be a child. And frustration because I left wanting more. More of the difficult conversations, more of the relationships that shaped him, more of the later chapters of his life. For a film about one of the most talked-about people in the world, it sometimes felt like I was only getting part of the story.
Watching Michael felt like revisiting music I already knew, but seeing it through a different lens. It reminded me how deeply his work is embedded in pop culture, but also how complicated the space around his legacy remains. You don’t walk out of a film like this with a neat conclusion — you just leave with impressions, questions, and familiar songs playing in your head a little differently than before.
On a lighter note, the last scene with Michael’s performance was genuinely enjoyable — the kind that has you tapping your feet without realising. Jaafar Jackson does stun as Michael in several moments throughout the film, but it also quietly reminds you that Michael is Michael. His presence, his energy, his command over a stage was always on another level.
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