The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic has already sparked plenty of debate — and that conversation only intensified once it began rolling out in US cinemas earlier this week.
Named simply Michael, the film traces the rise of the “Thriller” star as he transformed into the global “King of Pop,” filling arenas worldwide and becoming one of music’s most recognisable performers.
Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, takes on the lead role. Several relatives have also publicly weighed in on the project as attention around the biopic grows.
However, Paris Jackson has not been involved with the production and has previously suggested the movie presents a version of events she doesn’t agree with.
Separately, she is also in an ongoing legal dispute with her father’s estate relating to money and management decisions.
In that case, she has alleged the estate’s co-executors, John Branca and John McClain, have exercised poor financial judgment and failed to provide sufficient transparency in the years since Michael Jackson’s death.
TMZ has reported that, during a court appearance earlier this year, Paris described the film as a “botched production.”
She also addressed the situation on Instagram in August 2025, explaining that she reviewed an early version of the screenplay and shared concerns before choosing to step away.
“I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest / didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life.”
La Toya Jackson has offered a contrasting perspective, saying she felt it mattered for the Jackson family to be directly involved in shaping the biopic.
“A lot of times people think they know the story and they read about things, but when the family’s involved, the family can say yay or nay,” she said.
She also praised Jaafar Jackson’s portrayal of her brother, calling his work in Michael “absolutely fantastic” while speaking with E! at the film’s premiere.
Critical reception has been lukewarm so far. At the time of writing, Michael had a 38 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
That response has been challenged by another member of the family, Taj Jackson, who argued that the film gives audiences a chance to make up their own minds.
“Sorry, media, you don’t get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was,” Taj wrote on X.
“The public gets to watch this movie… they will decide for themselves. And you can’t handle that. Can’t wait until some critics have to eat crow. And yes, I will be that petty.”
While professional reviews remain mixed, audience feedback has been dramatically more enthusiastic.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists a 97 percent audience score — far higher than the critics’ 38 percent rating.