The newly released biographical drama Michael, based on the life of global pop icon Michael Jackson, has delivered a mixed outcome at the box office while simultaneously igniting intense critical debate. Despite early indicators of strong commercial performance, the film has emerged as one of the most divisive musical biopics in recent years, drawing particularly poor reception from reviewers.
On the review aggregation platform Rotten Tomatoes, the film initially opened with a low approval rating of 27 per cent. Although this figure later improved slightly to 34 per cent, it still places Michael significantly below many recent, high-profile biographical films. Critics have widely noted that even with its global appeal and subject matter, the film struggles to achieve consistent narrative and tonal coherence.
By contrast, several contemporary biopics have enjoyed substantially stronger critical success. Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer leads with an exceptional 93 per cent approval rating, while Better Man and Priscilla follow closely with 89 per cent and 84 per cent respectively. Other titles such as A Complete Unknown and The Apprentice both hold a strong 82 per cent, while Ferrari records a moderate yet respectable 73 per cent. In comparison, Michael remains firmly at the lower end of the spectrum, alongside less well-received musical biographies such as Back to Black and Reagan.
Comparative Critical Reception of Selected Biopics
| Film Title | Approval Rating | Critical Reception Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Michael | 34% | Widely criticised and controversial |
| Oppenheimer | 93% | Highly acclaimed |
| Better Man | 89% | Strong critical praise |
| Priscilla | 84% | Positive reception |
| A Complete Unknown | 82% | Strongly received |
| The Apprentice | 82% | Generally successful |
| Ferrari | 73% | Moderately successful |
| I Wanna Dance With Somebody | 43% | Weak critical response |
| Back to Black | 35% | Poor reviews |
| Reagan | 18% | Widely panned |
Despite critical disappointment, industry analysts suggest that the film is performing relatively well in commercial terms. Early international box office projections estimate global earnings of approximately 150 million US dollars within its opening week. In the United States alone, the film is projected to surpass 65 million US dollars, potentially setting a new record for the highest opening weekend for a music-focused biographical film.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Jackson’s journey from his childhood in Gary, Indiana, through his rise to international superstardom as a solo artist. The lead role is portrayed by Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, whose casting was initially seen as a key marketing strength.
However, the production has been overshadowed by significant controversy regarding its narrative choices. Critics have accused the film of deliberately downplaying or omitting major allegations and controversies from Jackson’s life, particularly those involving child abuse accusations. Several reviewers have described the film as “tonally flat” and “detached from reality”, arguing that it sanitises a highly complex public figure.
Reports also suggest that earlier cuts of the film included more contentious material, including references to investigations at Neverland Ranch. However, these sequences were reportedly removed due to contractual and legal considerations, resulting in significant reshoots and a delayed release schedule of nearly a year.
Family reactions have further intensified debate. While some members of the Jackson family have remained supportive, others have openly criticised the project. Notably, Jackson’s daughter has described the film as “dishonest and historically distorted”, reflecting ongoing divisions over how the singer’s legacy should be represented on screen.
Overall, Michael stands at a crossroads between commercial success and critical rejection, cementing its place as one of the most controversial biographical films of recent years.