The Making of “MICHAEL”: New Biopic Reframes the Rise of Michael Jackson

SHARP x Cineplex Pictures

Michael Jackson is a man of mythic proportions. His name evokes a glittering white glove, bold red jacket, flamboyant synthesizers, and instantly recognizable yips and yees. Yet there’s an equally enthralling story beneath the spectacle. With MICHAEL — an electrifying account of Jackson’s rise to pop royalty, directed by Antoine Fuqua — viewers peer behind the curtain to find that the King of Pop was more than a showbiz savant. Recreating childhood concerts and late-night studio sessions, the upcoming biopic unmasks the grind behind the glory.

As soon as the opening credits fade, the film dives into performance; for the Jackson 5, stardom starts young. With an affable smile and perfect pitch, a ten-year-old Michael (played by Juliano Krue Valdi) turns the living room into a stage. Michael’s smooth vocals come to a quick stop, however, when his father, Joseph Jackson (expertly brought to life by Colman Domingo), comes into focus.

It’s here that the film finds its tension. Joseph, a factory worker, tells his children that they’re in for a similar working-class life — unless they work “harder than anyone else.” So, when he asks if they’re willing to “fight for it,” the Jackson 5’s “Yes sir” is unanimous. Yet as Joseph pushes his children, professional life infringes on the personal; Michael and his brothers skip school to put on shows, relentlessly rehearsing to appease their father. As Michael’s career grows, Joseph’s controlling nature only augments the tension between work and show.

We know how the story unfolds. In a montage, “ABC” skyrockets to the top of the charts as the brothers perform to ever-increasing crowds. There’s a Motown record deal, a new security guard, a team of mind-blown music execs behind a recording booth. When an older Michael reemerges (this version is played by the singer’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson), there’s a house in California for the family — and shortly after, a monkey named Bubbles.

Yet the film doesn’t hide behind glossy cinematography; in fact, MICHAEL uses its glamour to contrast the compelling and candid struggle behind the scenes. Sold-out concerts and nonstop success render familial fractures all the more intense. When Joseph describes his son as a “money-making machine,” for example, the effect is more sinister than celebratory.

Consequently, Michael clings to his professional life as a crutch. His ambition is undeniable; Michael pulls no punches. Even his nose job is a career investment — to the doctor, it’s “for the cameras,” while to Joseph it’s “for my sinuses.” When Michael meets future manager John Branca (Miles Teller), his aspirations are bold and decisive: “Michael Jackson” will be the biggest name in music. Yet MICHAEL gives viewers the benefit of backstory; in the context of Michael’s childhood, his desire for success doubles as a desperate bid for independence.

Set against a nearly nonstop run of Billboard hits, MICHAEL pulls out all the stops. Enviable sets showcase the stylish Californian interiors of the ’70s, furnished with sleek wood tables and clean glass accents. When Jaafar takes the stage to recreate his uncle’s legendary moonwalk, magic spills into the cinema; the two-hour runtime speeds by. Juxtaposing sparkling costumes and ’80s synthesizers with family turmoil and backstage conflict, MICHAEL paints a new portrait of the King of Pop.

MICHAEL will be in theatres across Canada on April 24th, 2026.

FEATURE IMAGE: JAAFAR JACKSON AS MICHAEL JACKSON AND KEILYN DURREL JONES AS BILL BRAY IN MICHAEL. PHOTO BY GLEN WILSON/LIONSGATE.

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