THEY WANT US TO HATE HIM: ‘Leaving Neverland’ Director Claims Michael Jackson Was “Worse Than Jeffrey Epstein” as Fans Flock to New Biopic

The conversation around Michael Jackson is heating up again after filmmaker Dan Reed sharply criticized the newly released biopic Michael, even as audiences continue to show strong support at theaters worldwide.

The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson as his late uncle, opened Friday and quickly earned a high audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Early projections place the film on pace for a major global debut, despite mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.

The movie follows Jackson’s rise from child star with the Jackson 5 to international superstardom in the 1980s. Reports note the story ends around 1988 and does not cover the later child abuse allegations Jackson denied during his lifetime. Jackson was acquitted of criminal charges in a 2005 trial.

Reed, whose 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland centered on allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, criticized both the film and public reaction during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

“It says that people don’t care,” Reed said, arguing that many fans prioritize Jackson’s music over the allegations.

He also accused parts of the media of being too favorable toward the Jackson brand, suggesting financial incentives and fan pressure may influence coverage.

Reed’s strongest remark came when he claimed Jackson was “worse than Jeffrey Epstein,” a statement that is likely to spark backlash from fans and renewed debate online.

The Estate of Michael Jackson has long denied allegations highlighted in Leaving Neverland and previously condemned the documentary.

Meanwhile, critics remain divided on the new biopic. Some called it a polished but incomplete portrayal, while fans have packed theaters in large numbers, showing that Jackson’s cultural impact remains powerful years after his death.

Whether audiences see the film as celebration, revisionism, or simply entertainment, one thing is clear: the Michael Jackson legacy still moves crowds—and still divides opinion.