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Making Michael Jackson's Thriller

Making Michael Jackson's Thriller

1983

PG

Director

Jerry Kramer

Runtime

60 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Featuring interviews with director John Landis, make-up artist Rick Baker, and the King of Pop himself, Making Michael Jackson's Thriller takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey from pre-production to shooting on the ghoulish graveyard set of Michael Jackson's legendary music video and short film.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

3.5/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The documentary lacks any explicit focus on queer narratives or non-cisnormative identities. The subject matter remains strictly centered on technical and choreographic execution.

Gender Representation

Fair

Creative agency is concentrated within a traditional director-star-choreographer triad. While female performers are part of the dance ensemble, the film reflects 1980s professional hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Good

The film serves as a marker of Black agency by centering Michael Jackson as the primary driver of a massive production. It features a diverse group of dancers.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The work functions as a celebration of high-budget, capitalist-driven media production. It reinforces the prestige of the global pop machine rather than engaging with cultural critiques.

Disability Representation

Minimal

There is no discernible focus on disability or neurodivergence. The emphasis remains on the physical perfection and high-stamina requirements of the performers.

Strengths

  • Provides a significant historical marker of Black agency within a global commercial medium.
  • Features a diverse group of dancers supporting the central figure in a mainstream context.
  • Offers a detailed look at the technical craftsmanship and high-concept production of a music milestone.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks any explicit focus on LGBTQ+ themes or non-cisnormative identities.
  • Maintains traditional 1980s professional hierarchies regarding gendered power dynamics.
  • Does not provide space for the exploration of disability or diverse cognitive experiences.

AI Analysis

This documentary functions as a technical retrospective of a landmark music video. It prioritizes the mechanics of professional filmmaking and high-concept production over social commentary or diverse identity exploration. The film's greatest strength lies in its historical documentation of Black agency. By centering a Black icon in a position of unprecedented global influence, it disrupts standard industry hierarchies of the era. However, the work remains traditional in its depiction of gender and social identity. It focuses on the logistical triumphs of a commercial production rather than providing space for diverse physical or cognitive experiences.

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