I Am Michael
A psychologically unsettled biographical drama follows a prominent gay activist whose search for spiritual certainty leads him to renounce his former identity and become a Christian pastor.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- psychologically unsettled
- nuanced
- arthouse film night
- lgbtq+ cinema night
What critics said
Critics found the film balanced and unusually nuanced about its complex subject, with James Franco's performance providing its strongest anchor, though the restrained approach could feel dry and emotionally distant.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michael moves from gay youth activist and journalist to Christian pastor while seeking a new account of his selfhood.
The screenplay presents Michael's activism, fear, religious conversion, and rejection of his former life without reducing the subject to simple good and evil.
Michael renounces his gay identity, rejects former friends, and pursues heterosexual Christian conformity after doubt and paranoia intensify.
The film uses a low-key contemporary dramatic presentation to follow Michael across activism, relationships, spiritual exploration, and pastoral life.
Films like I Am Michael, and why
Boy Erased
biographical drama examining religious identity, sexuality, and personal transformation with an emotionally divided central figure
The Miseducation of Cameron Post
lgbtq+ drama confronting conversion ideology, family pressure, and the psychological consequences of rejecting one's identity
Milk
complex biographical portrait of a public figure whose shifting beliefs challenge simplistic moral judgments
Keep the Lights On
intimate, psychologically unsettled drama about sexuality, self-invention, and spiritual searching
Movie Details
- Director
- Justin Kelly
- Release Date
- 2015-01-29
- Runtime
- 98 min
- Rating
- 5.5 / 10 (222)
Cast
- James Franco
- Zachary Quinto
- Emma Roberts
- Daryl Hannah
- Lesley Ann Warren
- Avan Jogia
- Charlie Carver
- Devon Graye
- Evie Thompson
- Leven Rambin
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is I Am Michael about?
- A psychologically unsettled biographical drama follows a prominent gay activist whose search for spiritual certainty leads him to renounce his former identity and become a Christian pastor.
- What is I Am Michael like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of I Am Michael as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is I Am Michael violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in I Am Michael as mild.
- What did critics think of I Am Michael?
- Critics found the film balanced and unusually nuanced about its complex subject, with James Franco's performance providing its strongest anchor, though the restrained approach could feel dry and emotionally distant.
- Which films are like I Am Michael?
- Films with a similar feel include Boy Erased, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, Milk, and Keep the Lights On.
- How long is I Am Michael?
- I Am Michael runs 98 minutes.
- Where can I watch I Am Michael?
- In United States, I Am Michael is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
