Michael Jackson: Who Is It

The story in this video is fantastic. Its hard to follow you have to really pay attention and watch it more than once to get it. Its a genius video by the king of pop. One of a kind. Another one of his classics. The song itself is iconic and amazing in all sorts of ways. He will be missed. RIP Michael Jackson.

Wonderful video it was like I was watching a feature film. Just beautiful

Michael Jackson's *Who Is It* isn't your typical MJ music video. There's no group choreography, no flashy visual effects, and no supernatural narrative like in *Thriller* or *Ghosts*. Instead, it delivers something more restrained, emotionally charged, and visually sophisticated. Directed by David Fincher-who would go on to become one of Hollywood's most respected filmmakers-this video feels more like a short psychological thriller than a conventional pop video. And although it's often overlooked in discussions of Jackson's videography, *Who Is It* stands out as one of his most nuanced and compelling works.

Fincher's directorial style is unmistakable here, even in the early stages of his career. The video is drenched in moody lighting, sharp contrasts, and a cold, clinical aesthetic that mirrors the emotional distance between the characters. It's a perfect visual match for the song, which itself is brooding, haunting, and introspective. The use of muted colour palettes, lingering close-ups, and minimalist design all create a tone that is far more noir than pop.

The storyline, contrary to what some viewers suggest, isn't hard to follow. It's a slow-burn narrative that demands attention, not because it's confusing, but because it avoids the over-explaining often found in music videos. Jackson plays a successful but emotionally shattered man who gradually uncovers a painful truth: the woman he loves is secretly working as a high-class escort. The discovery unfolds through subtle cues-glimpses of her being escorted to anonymous hotel rooms, whispered phone calls, shadowy figures exchanging money. There's no dramatic confrontation, no explosion of rage. Just quiet devastation. That restraint is part of what makes the video so powerful.

What's particularly striking is how the video handles themes of betrayal and isolation. Jackson's character isn't portrayed as angry or vengeful, but as deeply wounded and helpless. He doesn't chase after her or lash out-he observes, suffers, and withdraws. This emotional quietness gives the video an eerie stillness, as though everything is happening just beneath the surface. It's a stark contrast to the kind of melodrama you might expect in a story like this, and it makes the impact even more lasting.

The woman's double life is also portrayed with a deliberate ambiguity. She isn't villainised. In fact, she barely speaks, making her a distant figure who remains just out of reach-physically and emotionally. That lack of resolution adds to the melancholy. There are no clear answers, no closure. Just longing, suspicion, and heartbreak.

Fincher's technical execution is masterful. His framing is precise, every shot deliberate. The pacing is slow but absorbing, drawing you deeper into the emotional undercurrent rather than distracting you with spectacle. His use of repetition-mirrored scenes, lingering camera movements, recurring visual motifs-adds a layer of psychological tension that builds without ever erupting. It's clear even in this early work that Fincher was already developing the stylistic language he would use in films like *Se7en*, *Fight Club*, and *Gone Girl*.

Despite its strengths, *Who Is It* didn't receive the wide attention it deserved at the time. It wasn't released as a commercial single in the United States and didn't benefit from the kind of promotion typical for Jackson's other videos. But in hindsight, it's one of the most artistically ambitious pieces in his catalogue. It shows a different side of Jackson-not the entertainer, but the actor and storyteller, capable of delivering a restrained, emotionally mature performance.

In many ways, *Who Is It* is ahead of its time. It combines music and narrative in a way that feels cinematic, complex, and emotionally real. It's not just one of Michael Jackson's best videos-it's also one of David Fincher's finest contributions to the music video genre. Quietly brilliant and deeply affecting, it's a masterclass in how music and visual storytelling can come together to explore the darker corners of love, identity, and loss.

A fascinating dark story. A long and elaborated chain of details. A splendid sound and one of inspired storytelling. Short, a gem about appearences, identities, mystery and its high price, faces and gestures and a cold routine. A video proposing , in many senses, the wise definition of near every day reality.

While this is a rather confusing music video, largely lacking in any sort of dancing and showmanship that MJ's videos are often known for, it's still entertaining, and fun to watch, for the most part, though it sometimes doesn't make sense.

But although the music video is kind of meh by Michael Jackson's standards, the song, Who Is It, is just flat out amazing. It sports a killer beat, amazing singing, a well written chorus, and an incredible instrumental bridge.

Whilst a few of the themes in the music video are a bit mature for kids, the song is so good that it has to be heard, whether or not you actually watch the music video, which is also pretty amazing.