Film tip: Michael - a glossy rise, a loaded legacy

Antoine Fuqua’s Michael arrives in Rotterdam with obvious crowd-pulling power, but this is no simple jukebox victory lap. With Jaafar Jackson stepping into the title role and the film already framed by the unresolved public debate around Michael Jackson’s legacy, this biopic lands as both a big-screen spectacle and a cultural test case.

Film details

Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, alongside Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Juliano Krue Valdi, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo. Rotterdam listings place the film at 127 minutes, in English with Dutch subtitles, with preview screenings on Wednesday 22 April and wider screenings from Thursday 23 April. KINO and LantarenVenster both list the film in Rotterdam, while Cinerama is also showing it based on current cinema listings shared for the city.

What the film sets out to do is clear enough. It traces Jackson’s path from child star in the Jackson 5 to global solo phenomenon, leaning heavily on the mythology of “the King of Pop” and the scale of the music, performances and fame that surrounded him. KINO describes it as a classic Hollywood spectacle, while LantarenVenster frames it as a portrait of both the man and his artistic legacy.

What’s the vibe?

The strongest selling point appears to be Jaafar Jackson. Both Rotterdam cinemas lean into how convincing he is in movement, appearance and performance, and early wider coverage has also focused on the uncanny logic of casting a family member in the role. At the same time, this is not a film entering cinemas in a vacuum. LantarenVenster explicitly notes that the film arrives under the shadow of long-running abuse allegations surrounding Michael Jackson, while broader reporting has shown how carefully the production has been scrutinised over what it includes, what it softens and what it leaves out.

That tension is probably the most interesting thing about Michael. On one level, it looks like a polished mainstream music biopic in the mould audiences already know well: childhood talent, superstardom, iconic songs, personal pressure, and the machinery of fame. On another level, it has to deal with a subject whose musical influence is enormous and whose public legacy remains deeply contested. That makes the film harder to dismiss, but also harder to embrace without questions.

Why watch now?

If you care about pop culture history, Michael is one of those releases that becomes part of the conversation whether you see it or not. It is a major studio attempt to package one of the most famous entertainers of the last century for a new cinema audience, and that alone makes it significant. Fuqua is not working with obscure material here. He is handling one of the most recognisable public figures in modern music, with all the risk that comes with that.

For viewers in Rotterdam, the timing also matters. This is the kind of film that works best in a full room, where the pull of the songs, the choreography and the audience reaction become part of the experience. And because the previews start before the main release pattern settles in, there is a nice little window to catch it early and form your own opinion before the loudest takes harden into place.

Trailer

Check out the trailer:

Critical reception

At this stage, the conversation around Michael seems as important as the verdict itself. Rotterdam cinema notes are broadly positive about Jaafar Jackson and the film’s scale, but they also acknowledge the controversy built into the project. Wider reporting has focused on the challenge of portraying Jackson without pretending the darker parts of his legacy do not exist. In other words, the reception is not just about whether the film works as entertainment, but about whether it earns the right to tell this story in the first place.

Scene to watch for

Based on the film’s own synopsis, one of the moments to keep an eye on is the shift from gifted Jackson 5 frontman to solo-era icon. That transition is where the biopic has the chance to become more than a tribute act. If the film really captures the moment Michael Jackson stops being a prodigy and becomes a cultural force, it will probably justify its own existence. If it glosses over that transformation in favour of greatest-hits nostalgia, you may leave admiring the songs more than the film.

Where to watch in Rotterdam?

You can currently find Michael at KINO, LantarenVenster and Cinerama. KINO lists multiple screenings from 22 April onward, while LantarenVenster is promoting a 22 April preview screening.