Leaving Neverland
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Mar 3, 2019
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 295 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 156 out of 295
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 295
  3. Negative: 128 out of 295

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  1. TheCore
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    There is no possible way that anyone with a brain can watch this and not see that those guys aren't finally telling the truth- their interviews are way too meticulous and detailed. Leaving Neverland is horrifying, and one of the most riveting documentaries you'll ever see. The idiots who've bombarded this comments section with zeros are more blind to Michael Jackson than Trump supportersThere is no possible way that anyone with a brain can watch this and not see that those guys aren't finally telling the truth- their interviews are way too meticulous and detailed. Leaving Neverland is horrifying, and one of the most riveting documentaries you'll ever see. The idiots who've bombarded this comments section with zeros are more blind to Michael Jackson than Trump supporters are to our fake "President"- your denials and misconceptions are fully baked in and there is simply no talking to you.… Expand
  2. trollkiller55
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Essential viewing for anyone who still wonders if he was a pedophile. He was. He was also a seminal musician. Any fan must handle these contradictions in their own way
  3. Raven1999
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    In the age of the #Metoo movement I find it incredible that more people aren't on the side of the victims. When I first heard about Michael Jackson surrounding himself with children, red flags immediately went up. But, like most of the public, I hastily dismissed them because like everyone else, I was star struck and blinded by Michael's amazing talent and public persona, after all, I'dIn the age of the #Metoo movement I find it incredible that more people aren't on the side of the victims. When I first heard about Michael Jackson surrounding himself with children, red flags immediately went up. But, like most of the public, I hastily dismissed them because like everyone else, I was star struck and blinded by Michael's amazing talent and public persona, after all, I'd been a fan of Michael's since his Jackson5 days. After he settled out of court, I began to have doubts once again. After he went to trial, I believed that I was in fact, worshipping a hero/celebrity that was a pedophile. He seduced the boy's parents/families by catching them up in a world wind of expensive trips etc. He groomed those boys to convincingly lie to their own parents. He isolated them because he wanted them to need him for validation of worth. He promised to help their careers and open doors for these kids. Who wouldn't have been seduced by that to the point of being blinded by what was going on under your own nose. What little boy would want to admit to his parents or even to themselves that they'd engaged activities that could have lead to them to being persecuted for their actions by ignorant people that would have blamed their actions on them. I must admit, the details of Michael Jackson's depravity sickens me. But it also leads me to believe that Jackson was also the victim of a pedophile. Nobody automatically knows how to groom children like that unless they themselves have been groomed. I will admit that the two men kind of lost their credibility by perjuring themselves in court and then asking for money. I'm glad they're both getting help but all the money in the world isn't going to change what was done to them. I believe they are telling the truth, but that's just me.… Expand
  4. erolsabadosh
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Very disturbing but essential viewing, you will be shocked and appalled at the graphic recounts and recordings, anybody that still defends Michael after this needs help.
  5. juniortopwb
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Michael Jackson was a monster, a sociopath, a pedophile. There's just no denying that.
  6. katezoe
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Incredible jaw dropping documentary. “Leaving Neverland,” is the story of predatory child sexual abuse, told in such painful and sober detail that it’s impossible to dismiss. Kudos to HBO for not being intimidated by the Jackson's $100,000,000 lawsuit in order to protect their piggy bank AKA Michael Jackson.
  7. SuperMax156
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    The level of delusion on display by fans is truly sad. While I understand how hard it is to find out that your hero is actually an awful human being, compassion really should be reserved for the victims of this monster. It was pretty obvious there was something off about Michael Jackson, the only thing that is amazing is how long it has taken for the truth about this pedophile to come out.
  8. markymark
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    One of the most believable and balanced accounts of sexual grooming and abuse that I have ever seen. What Jackson did to these boys was despicable, and yet they clearly still love him. It really opened my eyes as to how someone with that kind of power can emotionally devastate a young life for decades to come. A devastating but empowering documentary.
  9. Skreedmann
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Great Documentary so much emotions in this I truly feel bad for all of Michael Jackson's Victims. It had me in tears I don't see how anyone that Watched this would ever listen to this scumbags music again.
  10. SnowProblemo
    Mar 3, 2019
    10
    Surprised how many people still work for Michael Jackson, protecting an obvious pedophile on this website. There's been nobody in the history of fame who has been able to sleep with children and con his way out with a soft voice and innocent behavior. Imagine any other celebrity (especially nowadays) who invites a 5 year old on stage and then 2 years later for a sleep over. He was a greatSurprised how many people still work for Michael Jackson, protecting an obvious pedophile on this website. There's been nobody in the history of fame who has been able to sleep with children and con his way out with a soft voice and innocent behavior. Imagine any other celebrity (especially nowadays) who invites a 5 year old on stage and then 2 years later for a sleep over. He was a great singer and performer but a very sick and twisted person. If cell phones were out in the 80s Michael would still be alive...just in prison for child abuse and rape. True story.… Expand
  11. Fabrod269
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    I never understand the people that cant difference the star from the human being. I loved MJ as a performer. I danced his music. But this has nothing to do with the horrible stuff he did to little kids. Shame on the people that attack the victims. Poor of you. I hope you never have to suffer that a Kid or a woman in your family is molested. Think on them and think in all the mothers andI never understand the people that cant difference the star from the human being. I loved MJ as a performer. I danced his music. But this has nothing to do with the horrible stuff he did to little kids. Shame on the people that attack the victims. Poor of you. I hope you never have to suffer that a Kid or a woman in your family is molested. Think on them and think in all the mothers and relatives that suffered this from priests common people and stars like MJ and they didnt noticed. If this documentary served for ONE to notice that his kid is molested, it worth more than all the MJ music… Expand
  12. MB_
    Mar 13, 2019
    9
    Very well put together, unafraid to shy away from Jackson's grim reality but more importantly telling two men's horrible stories. Leaving Neverland illustrated a convincing pattern of behavior which seems so apparent after watching the film it's a wonder why it wasn't so obvious before.

    Documentary aside, it looks like there needs to be review screening for this one. Just a simple    Very well put together, unafraid to shy away from Jackson's grim reality but more importantly telling two men's horrible stories. Leaving Neverland illustrated a convincing pattern of behavior which seems so apparent after watching the film it's a wonder why it wasn't so obvious before.

    Documentary aside, it looks like there needs to be review screening for this one.
    Just a simple test, ask specific questions about the film and filter out the maniacs.

    Because only a maniac fan would still protest innocence whilst at the same time insulting the victims.
    Even if they are lying, which they are not, they're dancers not actors, showing people telling the truth and that telling the truth will encourage other victims to come forward and see more criminals meet justice.

    Please actually watch the documentary before leaving a review, that would be the honest thing to do. And if you want to suggest that anyone is after just money look to the Jackson family who are making millions and live on these residuals.    … Expand
  13. scarh791
    Mar 12, 2019
    10
    The comments here prove some people have a sick level of attachment to celebrities. Oprah said in her after special "we're gonna get it for this..." Whatever people consider "molested," Michael should not have been in bed with pubescent minors. It's incredibly inappropriate. The people who base their identity around defending such a monster are so sad,
  14. foxgrove
    Mar 18, 2019
    10
    A balanced and absorbing documentary in which two victims tell their story of sexual abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson. The film unfolds without histrionics, tears or anger. The facts and stories of the two boys and their families are told in a compelling and all too believable manner, with all the pent up emotion being unleashed at the end. Rumours have plagued Jackson for years. Yes,A balanced and absorbing documentary in which two victims tell their story of sexual abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson. The film unfolds without histrionics, tears or anger. The facts and stories of the two boys and their families are told in a compelling and all too believable manner, with all the pent up emotion being unleashed at the end. Rumours have plagued Jackson for years. Yes, he was an amazing artist, singer and dancer, but he was also very strange individual who was always hanging around with young boys. Talent does not excuse bad behaviour.
    I am quite shocked by the number of zeros accorded this film by people who are obviously fans unwilling to believe that he could, or did, do anything as appalling as is delineated in this film. With this in mind they should refer back to the testimonies of the two mothers, and the sister of one of the boys, all of whom would also not believe it of him when the first accusers came forward. It should be remembered that all the boys and families hurt by him are the victims, not poor Michael!
    Wake up and smell the coffee people!    … Expand
  15. jjlamore
    Mar 16, 2019
    10
    Incredible documentary. I didn't know much about Michael Jackson before this, but I found his victims convincing and the production very moving. Wow what a monster.
  16. forestation
    Mar 12, 2019
    10
    The film's two main protagonsts speak with quiet but devastating persuasion. They tell eerily similar stories but in different manners - Robson is articulate and measured, Safechuck is taciturn but emotionally expressive. Ignore the reviews from people who obviously have not seen the film but are here to press their cultish agenda.
  17. cmakemesay
    Mar 13, 2019
    10
    I'm sorry for all the MJ fans that still live in denial. There are too many red flags to ignore, and too much money to cover it all up.
  18. emerypacific
    Mar 7, 2019
    10
    If anyone has ever been 'groomed' and molested this documentary is a solid kick in the stomach. In 1962 I was molested by my 6th grade teacher who went on to become the Principal of our small town grammar school and for whom my mother worked as his personal secretary. My father had died when I was 10 and I was a particularly difficult child. Ripe for grooming. I was not the only oneIf anyone has ever been 'groomed' and molested this documentary is a solid kick in the stomach. In 1962 I was molested by my 6th grade teacher who went on to become the Principal of our small town grammar school and for whom my mother worked as his personal secretary. My father had died when I was 10 and I was a particularly difficult child. Ripe for grooming. I was not the only one molested by this POS, but it wasn't until years later and many 'groomed' young boys down the road that someone finally came forward and exposed him. In all those intervening years I never told anyone. I still know several fellow students that he abused that refuse to come forward or speak about it to this day. The process used on myself could have been taken from the words of Safechuck and Robson verbatim. My mother was thrilled that this man took an interest in me and was only too willing for him to help with her problem son. Gifts, day trips, dinners at his home. The guilt I still feel for not coming forward is oppressive. How many others were molested because I was too ashamed to speak up. One of my closet friend's son was molested by this man years later. The suicide rate for young men in our town during those times is statistically absurd. If it ever happened to you.....the descriptions of events provided by these men is spot on.......and...I don't believe it's really about the money for them.....as for the potential financial damage to the Jackson Estate......you be the judge.… Expand
  19. 3ebfan511
    Mar 28, 2019
    8
    A lot of emotional responses to the film. As a film though, it was a very engaging and compelling documentary, even at 4 hours....I definitely recommend anyone to see it. It goes quite slow though but what it accomplishes...is to slowly introduce you to the world these children were in, and at some point in the film...you now as the viewer feel as though ...you were molested by MichaelA lot of emotional responses to the film. As a film though, it was a very engaging and compelling documentary, even at 4 hours....I definitely recommend anyone to see it. It goes quite slow though but what it accomplishes...is to slowly introduce you to the world these children were in, and at some point in the film...you now as the viewer feel as though ...you were molested by Michael Jackson yourself. Very creepy, unsettling, but compelling, and the truth must be told. I ended up feeling sorry for both Jackson and his victims.… Expand
  20. RaduA
    Mar 19, 2019
    8
    84/100

      It was hard to look at this ... Many disturbing things ...
      If they were actually molested, we will never find out but Michael certainly slept with them.
      Leaving politics to one side, the documentary is done well. Filmed nicely, edited nicely, and those involved were pretty convincing.
  21. vovin999
    Apr 4, 2019
    10
    It is pretty sickening seeing all these 0 point reviews of people who obviously have not even watched this harrowing documentary. These star-struck people's reactions reflect very tellingly the same emotions that the two families share in this film. Michael Jackson the eternal 9 year old, in his Neverland prison of the mind, yet his actions depict the actions of an adult pedophileIt is pretty sickening seeing all these 0 point reviews of people who obviously have not even watched this harrowing documentary. These star-struck people's reactions reflect very tellingly the same emotions that the two families share in this film. Michael Jackson the eternal 9 year old, in his Neverland prison of the mind, yet his actions depict the actions of an adult pedophile megalomaniac with disturbing clarity. You cannot watch this film and not recognize the brutal honesty in the retellings, nor recognize with clarity the obvious grooming routine this monster used on these kids to satisfy his own desires. It is scary, to say the least, to see the same naive blindness in the fans of Michael Jackson to this day ignore all the obvious signs, as the parents of these victims did when it was happening to their own children. Just the thought of a grown, very strange (9 year old mentality!) man sharing the bed with your child should make anybody ring warning bells, but NAH it is Michael Jackson so that must be OK, right? Michael Jackson is a hero and a star, right? Never mind his jarring, strange behavior, right?
    I truly hope that this film will make more people realize what a "man" this monster truly was, and make more of his "One Favorite Friend" people come out, now that he can no longer buy them out. These people need to be exposed.
    I loved this film, and kudos to you two darling boys - now men - who dared to potentially ruin your own careers and respectability to expose him. To even think this would be a good money-grab is disgusting.    … Expand
  22. bartiorama
    Mar 11, 2019
    10
    It made me speechless. I have never imagine such calculated evil.
    I were a fan of Michael, now I cant look at his photos, videos, and cant listen to his music. I feel bad and mad. And scared now when I see now this evil in his eyes. I were very sceptic on this production but now I can fully understand why those two men lied for so many years and I can just imagine how they are broken for    It made me speechless. I have never imagine such calculated evil.
    I were a fan of Michael, now I cant look at his photos, videos, and cant listen to his music. I feel bad and mad. And scared now when I see now this evil in his eyes. I were very sceptic on this production but now I can fully understand why those two men lied for so many years and I can just imagine how they are broken for the rest of their lives. Its very recommended as a caution for all you parents.    … Expand
  23. DGPony
    Mar 8, 2019
    10
    Impressive. Not a single person with a neutral outlook could doubt the honesty, rich detail and complex reality to the stories of both victims and the devastating impact the lies had, as well as the consequences to finally speaking out and telling the truth. Not only for them but to their families too.
  24. Mayfieldja
    Mar 10, 2019
    8
    Leaving Neverland is a brutally uncomfortable watch as we get two accounts of child grooming and sexual abuse. The depictions are graphic, heartbreaking, and gutwrenching as the documentary gives these victims a chance to speak out and share their stories of survival as they search for closure.

    (No matter how you feel about this documentary, knowledge is incredibly important in    Leaving Neverland is a brutally uncomfortable watch as we get two accounts of child grooming and sexual abuse. The depictions are graphic, heartbreaking, and gutwrenching as the documentary gives these victims a chance to speak out and share their stories of survival as they search for closure.

    (No matter how you feel about this documentary, knowledge is incredibly important in preventing child sexual abuse. Please look into organizations like Darkness to Light to gain education and training in how you can help prevent future instances of abuse.)    … Expand
  25. frey290
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    A powerful, heartbreaking documentary. It's well made, and well worth watching.
  26. faircritic
    Mar 9, 2019
    10
    Well there were other works that depicted this MJ horrible person but is well to know that there are voices overthere denouncing what this lowlife did for a future reference. So I have to aplausse this daring director and the victims for this production. Keep yourself together, this slimebag must´nt be covered anymore,no matter who is covering him Sony ,Pepsi, etc This companies willWell there were other works that depicted this MJ horrible person but is well to know that there are voices overthere denouncing what this lowlife did for a future reference. So I have to aplausse this daring director and the victims for this production. Keep yourself together, this slimebag must´nt be covered anymore,no matter who is covering him Sony ,Pepsi, etc This companies will squeeze this criminal for every cent that he owed to them. No matter how strong is the evil industry behind him TRUTH WILL BE KNOWN. This persons actions should be known for the public and is up to people to judge him whatever if he was a good singer or not, its about his poor mentality that lead him to the shadows.… Expand
  27. Enviro3
    Mar 11, 2019
    10
    Interesting documentary showcasing the inappropriate behavior of Michael Jackson. Did he molest? We may never know. Did he sleep in beds with young boys alone? Yes, and that's wildly gross and inappropriate behavior. Grown men: please don't sleep in bed with someone else's child.
  28. TCP
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    Powerful, captivating and shocking. Brave men who tell their stories of child abuse at the hands of a pop icon.
  29. ThereIsNoSpoon
    Mar 5, 2019
    10
    I believe the victims. They were clearly not reading from a script. Their testimonies appeared genuine, and their stories filled with SO MUCH detail. After watching this, finally it all just clicks together and makes sense. This film is the missing piece in the puzzle. Most people knew there was some truth to MJ's repeated accusations of pedophilia. If you never felt any doubt, youI believe the victims. They were clearly not reading from a script. Their testimonies appeared genuine, and their stories filled with SO MUCH detail. After watching this, finally it all just clicks together and makes sense. This film is the missing piece in the puzzle. Most people knew there was some truth to MJ's repeated accusations of pedophilia. If you never felt any doubt, you really let his talent and power blind you. So many people knew "Michael Jackson", the showman; very few got close enough to know "Michael", the person.… Expand
  30. j1train
    Mar 10, 2019
    10
    Unsettling, powerful and comprehensive. You may fault the producers for not showing "the other side," but you do hear plenty from Jackson, his lawyers and the estate -- even if it is in previously recorded clips of the singer. As Dan Reed says in the Oprah follow-up, there is no journalistic value in new interviews with the Jackson estate, who have a vested financial interest in smearingUnsettling, powerful and comprehensive. You may fault the producers for not showing "the other side," but you do hear plenty from Jackson, his lawyers and the estate -- even if it is in previously recorded clips of the singer. As Dan Reed says in the Oprah follow-up, there is no journalistic value in new interviews with the Jackson estate, who have a vested financial interest in smearing the two men who were not paid to be in this documentary. This is a moving document of the power of celebrity, seduction and "grooming," and the complexities of childhood sexual abuse and its ripple affects.… Expand
  31. solideater
    Mar 9, 2019
    7
    i felt like it could have been shorter in length, but otherwise it's a good documentary. i'm pretty sure that someone who just "sleeps" with several different children does not have good intentions. he was a twisted and sick individual.
  32. JLuis_001
    Mar 17, 2019
    7
    It's ironic that the little that was going to be talked about this documentary will be of its cinematographic virtues and everything else will deal with the theme of which it speaks.

    Needless to say, many people will be unable to be objective when they talk about what this documentary tells. Especially when they're talking about how one of the greatest music stars this world has ever    It's ironic that the little that was going to be talked about this documentary will be of its cinematographic virtues and everything else will deal with the theme of which it speaks.

    Needless to say, many people will be unable to be objective when they talk about what this documentary tells. Especially when they're talking about how one of the greatest music stars this world has ever had was a pedophile who abuse many children throughout his life.
    Maybe it sounds strange to say it in such a basic way even in spite of everything that Michael Jackson was accused of, but the truth is that everything is reduced to that simple thing.
    That man, that man of such enormous talent and loved by millions of people around, was a damaged human being who committed sexual abuse against children.

    This work distributed by HBO is dense. It lasts 4 hours and is not a comfortable documentary to watch. I will not say that it was difficult to see because after all the investigative work is in order and it never tries to be sensationalist. Leaving Neverland is simply that: expository, and in a way also a reminder.

    Yes, justice acquitted Jackson but honestly we will never know the whole truth and in this case the victims have the right to speak and be heard. Even beyond the hatred and criticism they may receive. After all a horrible and obscure side of Jackson's fans also proves that they might even doubt that he raped children even if there were video proof of it.
    It's a natural response, after all there have always been people covering up those monsters. Just look at it in the catholic church or someone like R. Kelly right now.

    That's what Leaving Neverland is about; remembering and questioning. And if you just want to think that they only want to smear Jackson's legacy, you may have to ask yourself some difficult questions in the immediate future.    … Expand
  33. Bertaut1
    Nov 13, 2020
    8
    A difficult-to-watch examination of grooming and the psychological scars of abuse

    Leaving Neverland is not about Michael Jackson, Wade Robson, or James Safechuck. It's about how paedophiles groom not just their victims, but their victims' families. It's about the relationship that victims can form with their abusers. It's about the reasons that can conspire to prevent victims from coming    A difficult-to-watch examination of grooming and the psychological scars of abuse

    Leaving Neverland is not about Michael Jackson, Wade Robson, or James Safechuck. It's about how paedophiles groom not just their victims, but their victims' families. It's about the relationship that victims can form with their abusers. It's about the reasons that can conspire to prevent victims from coming forward. It's about how the effects of childhood sexual abuse linger into adulthood. Undoubtedly, it's unbalanced in favour of the accusers, with director Dan Reed omitting anything on their ongoing lawsuits against the Jackson estate. Irrespective of this, however, it's a hugely important document on grooming and the psychological effects of abuse.

    The film tells the similar but separate stories of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, each of whom met Jackson in 1987, when Wade was five and James was ten, and both of whom claim Jackson abused them for much of the following decade. Despite the 240-minute runtime, the only interviewees are Wade, his mother Joy, sister Chantal, brother Shane, grandmother Lorraine Jean Cullen, and wife Amanda, and James, mother Stephanie, and wife Laura.

    Aesthetically, the film is as plain as possible. Whereas Wade and James's accounts are graphic, they're never sensationalised, with Reed allowing their words to speak for themselves – there's no cutaways to experts telling us what to think, no montages to suture us into the timeframe. Indeed, at times, Reed waits patiently as an interviewee formulates their thoughts – a kind of "dead air" that one doesn't find in most documentaries.

    This tendency to leave the stories unadorned ties into the small pool of interviewees – this is Wade and James's story, and anyone which can't speak to that specific rubric isn't featured. For example, there's no attempt to portray Jackson as less culpable because he didn't have a childhood. In fact, it makes no attempt to portray him at all. Again, this is Wade and James's story only.

    Within that, it's as much about the complex relationships that victims can develop with their abusers as it is with the abuse itself. This speaks to why both Wade and James lied for so long (each man defended Jackson when he was accused of molestation in 1993, and Wade again defended him against similar accusations in 2005) – they weren't just lying to other people, they were lying to themselves. And ultimately, the film suggests that rather than being indicative of fabrication, such falsehoods are an understandable reaction to sustained abuse.

    A major theme is the manipulative nature inherent to grooming. As much as it is about the manipulation of the boys, so too is it about the non-sexual manipulation of the families - Joy and Stephanie were both talked into granting permission for a man they didn't really know to take their child into his bed, and the two are working today as much to forgive themselves as they are to atone to their children.

    Of course, there are problems. The imbalance for example. I understand why Reed confined his interviews to just Wade, James, and their families, but by doing so, he has opened himself and the film up to a not illegitimate form of attack. And because this makes the film easier to critique, it makes it easier to dismiss, and thus easier to ignore, which is pretty much the opposite of what you want to happen as a documentarian.

    Another problem is that it doesn't need to be four-hours long. There are several lengthy narrative digressions that, although they help to flesh out the home lives of Wade and James, do very little to inform the allegations against Jackson. Reed also tends to overuse drone shots of LA, which act like paragraph breaks. It's an interesting idea, but there are far too many, becoming repetitive and, eventually, irritating. And then, of course, there are the omissions, which have proven to be a red flag to a bull for Jackson fans. For example, that Wade is suing the Jackson estate is mentioned once, very briefly, and never alluded to again. That James is also suing the estate is never mentioned.

    In the end, the lack of balance is a significant problem, but not to the extent that it undermines the way Reed presents the accusations, the way he teases out the process of grooming, the way he unflinchingly presents the abuse itself, the way he comes to focus on the years after the abuse ended – the film's cumulative effect is startlingly raw and generally persuasive. It looks at the process by which Jackson manoeuvred himself into a position to abuse the boys as much as at the abuse itself and at the psychological effects of telling the lie for so long as much as at the lie itself. In this sense, this is a hugely valuable document, not necessarily in terms of the specifics of Wade and James's stories, but in relation to the broader issues of child sexual abuse, and the misconceptions that permeate the zeitgeist.    … Expand
  34. All_ButTrU4
    Jan 4, 2022
    8
    In the age of the #Metoo movement I find it incredible that more people aren't on the side of the victims. When I first heard about Michael Jackson surrounding himself with children, red flags immediately went up. But, like most of the public, I hastily dismissed them because like everyone else, I was star struck and blinded by Michael's amazing talent and public persona, after all, I'dIn the age of the #Metoo movement I find it incredible that more people aren't on the side of the victims. When I first heard about Michael Jackson surrounding himself with children, red flags immediately went up. But, like most of the public, I hastily dismissed them because like everyone else, I was star struck and blinded by Michael's amazing talent and public persona, after all, I'd been a fan of Michael's since his Jackson5 days. After he settled out of court, I began to have doubts once again. After he went to trial, I believed that I was in fact, worshipping a hero/celebrity that was a pedophile. He seduced the boy's parents/families by catching them up in a world wind of expensive trips etc. He groomed those boys to convincingly lie to their own parents. He isolated them because he wanted them to need him for validation of worth. He promised to help their careers and open doors for these kids. Who wouldn't have been seduced by that to the point of being blinded by what was going on under your own nose. What little boy would want to admit to his parents or even to themselves that they'd engaged activities that could have lead to them to being persecuted for their actions by ignorant people that would have blamed their actions on them. I must admit, the details of Michael Jackson's depravity sickens me. But it also leads me to believe that Jackson was also the victim of a pedophile. Nobody automatically knows how to groom children like that unless they themselves have been groomed. I will admit that the two men kind of lost their credibility by perjuring themselves in court and then asking for money. I'm glad they're both getting help but all the money in the world isn't going to change what was done to them. I believe they are telling the truth, but that's just me.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

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#23 Best TV Season of 2019
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#7 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
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#39 Most Shared TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Universal acclaim - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. The Times
    Reviewed by: Carol Midgley
    Jan 7, 2020
    80
    Reed did not over-egg the material. ... This is a strange, dark and complex story, but I believed them [Wade Robson and James Safechuck].
    Read full review
  2. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Jan 3, 2020
    80
    For all its gripping testimony, Leaving Neverland is not a great documentary. It is too long, for one. ... None of this diminishes the power of the interviews, which show how much damage Jackson did and continues to do, 10 years after his death.
    Read full review
  3. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Tim Robey
    Jan 3, 2020
    80
    The film has to pick its way through some troubling thickets of motive, and frames earlier denials as proof of the psychological damage he wrought. Setting about this side of things with necessary tact, Reed bolsters the case using only the building blocks of what these two families have to say. No authorities weigh in, no lawyers. The purity is that it begins and ends with survivor testimony, chillingly credible in its details, from Safechuck and Robson.
    Read full review
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