In this episode of Movies I Give a Fork About, AJ dives into Michael (2026) — the ambitious biopic exploring the rise of Michael Jackson through the Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad eras.

But beneath the music, choreography, and nostalgia, this episode becomes a much deeper conversation about fame, childhood, race, abuse, and the emotional cost of becoming a global icon before you’ve even had the chance to grow up.

AJ breaks down Jaafar Jackson’s performance as Michael, why Colman Domingo completely disappears into the role of Joe Jackson, and why some of the film’s most powerful moments have nothing to do with the concerts at all.

The episode also explores the film’s portrayal of MTV’s early resistance to Black artists, the complicated influence of the Jackson family on the production, and the uncomfortable question sitting underneath the entire movie: what does fame do to a child?

Spoiler-free as always — because sometimes the story behind the icon is far more complicated than the legend itself.

🍴 Movies I Give a Fork About

Movies don’t get stars — they get forks.

Hosted by AJ Jones, this podcast cuts through hype, marketing, and awards buzz to answer one simple question:

Is this movie actually worth your time?

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🌐 Podcast site: giveaforkmovies.com

New episodes drop when a movie earns a fork.