‘Michael’ Review: Jaafar Jackson Delivers a Performance That Feels Almost Unreal

If you were born too late to witness the glove, the moonwalk, or the pure electricity of the Bad tour in person, Antoine Fuqua just handed you a golden ticket. Screening Michael early felt less like sitting in a dark theater and more like being transported directly to the front row of a stadium tour. It’s an immersive, loud, and unapologetic celebration of a man who was less of a human and more of a global phenomenon.

Jaafar Jackson Isn’t Just Acting; He’s Channeling

Let’s get the big question out of the way: Can Michael’s own nephew actually pull this off? The answer is a resounding yes. Jaafar Jackson doesn’t just mimic the choreography; he embodies every twitch, every soft-spoken syllable, and every high-octane spin as if Michael himself were guiding his movements from the wings. It’s an uncanny performance that anchors the entire film.

But while Jaafar is the undisputed star, we have to give immediate flowers to Juliano Valdi as Young Michael. Capturing the precocious, soulful energy of a kid who was essentially the breadwinner for his entire family is no small feat, and Valdi handles the Jackson 5 era with a charisma that makes the heart ache.

Courtesy of Lionsgate

A Family Dynamic That Will Give You Chills

The casting department deserves a raise for the parental units. Nia Long brings a necessary, grounding warmth as Katherine Jackson, but Colman Domingo steals every scene he’s in as the family patriarch, Joe Jackson. To put it bluntly: Colman was terrifying. He portrays Joe’s iron-fisted "discipline" with a coldness that explains exactly why Michael sought refuge in a world of fantasy.

The narrative leans heavily into Michael’s struggle to overcome this immense family pressure. This is a story about a man fighting to become his own person despite being a literal product of his father's ambition. However, even at nearly three hours, it feels like we barely scratched the surface of MJ’s internal world.

What’s Missing from the Neverland Gates?

While the film is a triumph for fans, it isn’t without its "what if" moments. Because the focus is so laser-targeted on Michael’s personal evolution, the rest of the Jackson siblings feel more like background singers than fully realized characters.

The most glaring omission, however, is the absence of Diana Ross. Given her massive influence on Michael’s life and aesthetic, her exclusion leaves a noticeable gap. Whether it was a matter of people not wanting to be involved or a creative choice to keep the runtime down, those missing perspectives would have added a lovely layer to the story. It’s enough to make you realize that one movie isn't enough, a second part is definitely needed to cover the complexities that were left on the cutting room floor.

The TV Cave Verdict

Michael is a high-gloss, high-energy tribute that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. It successfully humanizes a legend while keeping the magic of his stage presence intact. If you’ve ever hummed a bassline to Billie Jean, this is required viewing.

Once you see the movie we need to know: did the film live up to your expectations, or are you holding out for a "Part Two" that dives deeper into the 90s era? Head over to the comments and let us know if Jaafar won you over.