Michael (12A)

A glossy portrait of Michael Jackson’s rise from child prodigy to global superstar, covering the years from the Jackson 5 through the height of his 1980s fame.

The film traces Michael’s journey from performing under the demanding eye of his father Joseph Jackson (Colman Domingo) to breaking away as a solo artist alongside key figures including Quincy Jones and manager John Branca. Along the way, it highlights both the extraordinary pressure surrounding his success and the intense spotlight that shaped his life from childhood onwards.

Much of the film’s appeal relies on the music itself, with elaborate recreations of iconic routines and concert moments serving constant reminders as to why Jackson became one of the defining entertainers of modern pop culture. In his screen debut, Jaafar Jackson impressively captures both the physicality and mannerisms of his uncle, while Domingo brings real force to the role of Joseph.

The film closes before the most controversial chapters of Jackson’s life, but its major box-office success and audience appeal have paved the way for a follow-up. Any continuation, however, would inevitably have to confront the darker scandals and complexities surrounding his later years more directly.