Compare the Netflix series MESSIAH and the John Travolta movie Michael. (2020; 1996).
The Netflix series Messiah and the John Travolta movie Michael both explore themes of faith, divinity, and human skepticism, but they do so with very different tones, settings, and intentions. Here's a comparison:
1. Premise and Central Figure
Messiah:
The series follows Al-Masih, a mysterious figure who appears in the Middle East and performs acts that some perceive as miracles. He quickly gains a global following, raising questions about whether he is a savior, a prophet, or a fraud. The tone is serious and rooted in geopolitical intrigue and religious tension.Michael:
The movie is a light-hearted, magical realist tale about Michael, an unconventional archangel with human flaws, who comes to Earth for a final mission. His actions challenge people’s perceptions of divinity, love, and redemption, but the tone is whimsical and comedic.
2. Tone and Genre
Messiah:
A dramatic thriller with heavy themes like terrorism, political manipulation, and the clash of faiths in the modern world. It invites deep philosophical and theological debate while maintaining a suspenseful, serious atmosphere.Michael:
A comedic, heartwarming fantasy. While it deals with spiritual ideas, the film is light and focuses on personal growth, relationships, and humor rather than existential questions or global consequences.
3. The Protagonist's Impact
Messiah:
Al-Masih inspires awe, devotion, and fear, polarizing the world as people struggle to determine if he is divine, a con artist, or a political pawn. The stakes are high, involving global security and religious upheaval.Michael:
Michael is a down-to-earth (albeit literal angelic) figure who brings people together through love and laughter. He focuses on helping individuals rather than shaping global events.
4. Thematic Exploration
Messiah:
The series is an exploration of faith in a skeptical, media-driven world. It tackles big questions: What would happen if a messiah figure appeared today? How would governments, religions, and individuals respond? It’s also a critique of humanity’s tendency to weaponize belief.Michael:
The film is a reflection on love, mortality, and redemption. Its spiritual themes are presented in a digestible and accessible way, more focused on uplifting the audience than challenging their worldview.
5. Reception and Legacy
Messiah:
The show was controversial, with debates around its portrayal of religious figures and implications. While praised for its ambition, it was criticized for being too ambiguous and was not renewed after its first season.Michael:
The film was well-received as a feel-good, family-friendly movie. It is remembered fondly for Travolta’s charming performance and its mix of humor and spirituality, though it lacks the profound resonance of deeper spiritual dramas.
6. Comparison of Divinity
Messiah:
Al-Masih’s true nature is intentionally ambiguous, leaving viewers to grapple with their interpretation of him as divine, human, or manipulative.Michael:
Michael is unapologetically divine but behaves in a hilariously human way, enjoying pleasures like sugar, women, and cigarettes while imparting wisdom through his imperfections.
Key Takeaway
While Messiah is a provocative and thought-provoking exploration of faith and skepticism in a modern, divided world, Michael is a lighthearted, charming film about human connection and angelic intervention. Both ask what it means to believe, but Messiah seeks to unsettle, while Michael aims to uplift.
Is Messiah a creative remake of Michael?
No, Messiah is not a creative remake of Michael, though the two works share thematic overlaps in their exploration of faith, belief, and divinity. Their differences in tone, intent, and storytelling structure make it clear that they are distinct narratives rather than one being a reinterpretation of the other. Here's why:
Key Differences in Premise
Michael is centered on a well-established religious figure—a literal angel—who interacts with humans in an approachable and often comedic way, bringing personal transformation to a few key characters. It is lighthearted and focuses on the interpersonal and whimsical aspects of spirituality.
Messiah introduces an ambiguous messianic figure, Al-Masih, whose true nature is deliberately left unresolved. It is grounded in modern political and social realities, exploring the global and geopolitical consequences of such a figure's emergence in a skeptical, divided world.
Tone and Genre Contrast
Michael is a fantasy comedy-drama with a whimsical and feel-good approach, blending divine intervention with humor.
Messiah is a dramatic thriller that leans into suspense, ambiguity, and the darker implications of faith and manipulation in a media-driven, politically charged environment.
Differences in Themes and Scope
Michael focuses on personal redemption and the healing of individuals. The narrative is small-scale, centering on the lives of a few characters whose paths are directly impacted by Michael’s divine presence.
Messiah deals with global stakes, addressing the tension between belief, skepticism, and the power structures of religion and politics. It invites the audience to question how faith functions in a modern world dominated by technology, media, and cynicism.
No Direct Link in Development
There is no evidence to suggest that Messiah was inspired by or derived from Michael. While both touch on spiritual and religious themes, their approach to these ideas is fundamentally different. Messiah aligns more with shows like The Leftovers or The Path, which explore faith and belief through a darker and more philosophical lens, rather than the whimsical or comedic style of Michael.
Conclusion
Though they both explore spiritual themes, Messiah and Michael are vastly different in tone, narrative, and intent. Rather than being a remake, Messiah is a completely original work that stands apart as a serious, thought-provoking exploration of modern faith, while Michael remains a lighthearted and uplifting exploration of divine humanity. If anything, they represent opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to portraying divinity in modern storytelling.
##
