Can it run stock macOS programs like Photos? I want a non-chaotic way to import my old fart's iPhone galleries without a Mac Mini (HEIC and Lives are annoying), and docker-osx/vm's don't work for everyone.

They say source-compatible, not binary-compatible.

GNUstep failed to get traction, I doubt they can do much better.

It's a totally different path but you could try Immich to do that.