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. 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
  2. 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
  3. Gods_Son23
    Aug 8, 2020
    0
    Such a one-sided hit piece with people who should be in prison having said the opposite under oath . The leftist media do not believe in due process. The dead not being able to be defamed under current law needs to be change. "The idiots who've bombarded this comments section with zeros are more blind to Michael Jackson than Trump supporters"... You sound like someone who believesSuch a one-sided hit piece with people who should be in prison having said the opposite under oath . The leftist media do not believe in due process. The dead not being able to be defamed under current law needs to be change. "The idiots who've bombarded this comments section with zeros are more blind to Michael Jackson than Trump supporters"... You sound like someone who believes everything they read. A mainstream media follower.… Expand
  4. kayhamed
    Jan 14, 2020
    0
    It's impossible to judge what those victims have experienced as kids, but in my point of view it's also impossible to forget all great things Michael Jackson has done to music and to the world. that's what makes this one-sided documentary garbage.
  5. espereunmomento
    Aug 1, 2019
    0
    Bad acting, and yes, they're actors. Zero evidence, just words. They're trying to destroy MJ's legacy, or at least steal some. I feel sorry for the true cases that are being ignored.
  6. moonlite
    Jun 25, 2019
    0
    honestly disgusting and false im honestly sick all of this to try to ruin a dead icon's career... it remains untouched
  7. Junglistflex
    May 31, 2019
    0
    People will do ludicrous things for money. Here in the UK a man accused multiple MP's (Politicians) of child rape, torture and even murder. He was lying for compensation and is now on trail looking at a long time in prison. We'll never know for sure with Jacko, even though every sinew of me is saying yes.
  8. Tymunia
    Apr 20, 2019
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dirty liars. This is a trash. Please leave Micheal alone. Rest in peace MJ. Someday people will know the truth. MJ is innocent and he is always a good person.… Expand
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Gaston_Veil
    Mar 25, 2019
    2
    If you want to know about the claims made by the accusers then look up the clips on the internet because this documentary is a waste of time.

    With 4 hours dedicated to two people making serious allegations, I was expecting a thorough and detailed examination of the claims but instead, only 15% of the documentary is actually about the alleged sexual abuse and the rest is about irrelevant    If you want to know about the claims made by the accusers then look up the clips on the internet because this documentary is a waste of time.

    With 4 hours dedicated to two people making serious allegations, I was expecting a thorough and detailed examination of the claims but instead, only 15% of the documentary is actually about the alleged sexual abuse and the rest is about irrelevant stories. The time that could have been spent, on investigating the claims made by the accusers and investigating the claims made by people defending Michael Jackson, is instead spent showing footage of Michael Jackson and presenting irrelevant stories from family members, of the accusers, who didn't appear to understand what they were interviewed about. The entire thing is a boring mess and it's easy to get confused by all the pointless stories.

    The actual stories about the alleged abuse are suspiciously detailed and nobody was bothered how the accusers could remember so many details from their childhoods after decades. Nobody questioned why there are so many recordings of phone conversations but no recordings of the damming phone conversations, which Michael Jackson supposedly did even while being under investigation. The makers of the documentary didn't bother investigating the claims, the inconsistencies and how Michael Jackson had the time for all of this. The makers were so lazy that they didn't even notice the omissions about the career failures and billion dollar lawsuits against The Jackson Estate.

    With no investigation and no evidence, the documentary is only going to cause controversy. This will probably be forgotten as another sexual abuse claim against Michael Jackson without evidence, with probable monetary motivation.    … Expand
  12. 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
  13. CriticoDubioso
    Mar 19, 2019
    0
    Innocent or guilty, there's something fishy going on. This is not an actual documentry with verified facts, in fact it's quite fudging the facts and completely flipped a previous story. The Michael Jackson scandal is an interesting one, as Brett Barnes now demanded to be removed from the doco "Leaving Neverland" saying it created false impressions about him. Others who would of beenInnocent or guilty, there's something fishy going on. This is not an actual documentry with verified facts, in fact it's quite fudging the facts and completely flipped a previous story. The Michael Jackson scandal is an interesting one, as Brett Barnes now demanded to be removed from the doco "Leaving Neverland" saying it created false impressions about him. Others who would of been mostly affected also left out. Wade Robson also said he was innocent back when he was 11, okay could of been a scared kid fearing jail too. But then again when he was 22, huh his career still going good. Now just suddenly flips his entire story just after falling off the radar. Plus then there's this back from 1999: The Plot to destroy Michael Jackson - which clearly shows a kid off the streets used to try frame MJ who confessed but that pattern still continues for some. I guess you can't get charged for slandering someone when they are dead? I would suggest taking this movie with a grain of salt and looking up some of the facts yourself before jumping to bias conclusions.… Expand
  14. 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.
  15. Martinos
    Mar 19, 2019
    0
    A lesson on how propaganda and slander work even in a world where the claims and allegations are easily disproven.
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. Oldhuckfinn
    Mar 16, 2019
    0
    Didn't know what to make of this garbage. Michael Jackson is an icon of the 80s/90s for me growing up in that era. I did loose interest in him after the Dangerous album which was around the time when the allegations showed up. I got older too but still respected his talent and legacy. Unfortunately, after the allegations of child abuse it was difficult to even really think about him thenDidn't know what to make of this garbage. Michael Jackson is an icon of the 80s/90s for me growing up in that era. I did loose interest in him after the Dangerous album which was around the time when the allegations showed up. I got older too but still respected his talent and legacy. Unfortunately, after the allegations of child abuse it was difficult to even really think about him then but I could still appreciate his music. This documentary though is a complete joke and the two in it are obviously out to make a chunk of change. Why would they continue in their careers Michael helped build for them if they were being sexually abused? Were they really victims? I blame their parents above all else if that is true. Michael Jackson is gone and he already went through the justice system. It's disgusting they want to dig up his past and start all over again now that he can't defend himself. Don't give this documentary any money or support.… Expand
  20. 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.
  21. Dsros96
    Mar 16, 2019
    0
    Full of lies, using a dead man's name for clout. Now that he can't defend himself. He was already proven innocent. HBO should stick to Dragons & Kings because everything else is just trash.
  22. BlacklWhite
    Mar 15, 2019
    0
    What a sad thing.people are more willing to believe this kind of not factual, paradoxical, unfair "documentary“ and "victim's testimony“, rather than FBI's 196 pages report that proving Michael Jackson are innocent.
  23. Doowop666
    Mar 14, 2019
    0
    The movie pulls on the heart strings but as we know, so did Jussie Smollett, for a short while. I call it a movie instead of a documentary, because it's a partial take on the subject thru the lens of two accusers, who are established liars who have changed their stories more times many times throughout the years.

    When one reflects on some of the claims made side-by-side with the    The movie pulls on the heart strings but as we know, so did Jussie Smollett, for a short while. I call it a movie instead of a documentary, because it's a partial take on the subject thru the lens of two accusers, who are established liars who have changed their stories more times many times throughout the years.

    When one reflects on some of the claims made side-by-side with the evidence, the tale woven by the two accusers appears far less compelling. Dozens of raids, FBI investigations over a decade, and multiple courts cases found MJ not guilty. Fortunately courts rely on more than just teary eyes and allegations.

    The movie has the insidious feel of a project made to create controversy and dollars. It's the #metoo movement come full circle where accusations can be made even after the accused has been exonerated, and they're taken at face value. But it's worse, because in this case, it's a dead man that is being accused.

    The two young men seemed genuinely hurt that MJ abandoned them in favor of new kids for tour props and gimmicks, and that their taste of the high life with MJ was only temporary. They supported MJ into adult hood and have only come out after his death, coincidentally seeking $1 billion in a lawsuit. The timing of this propaganda film is clearly an attempt to bolster their public profile.

    Some of the stories told are almost too fantastic to take seriously. Molestation in a hotel room while the family is in another room down the hall - behavior that could blow up Jackson's tour. They want us to believe MJ was calculating and simultaneously embarrassingly sloppy. Yet no shred of evidence for any of this has ever been found.

    It's incredible that after all the lurid tales of masturbation and oral sex that neither of these men could draw MJ's penis (which is apparently uniquely blotched) nor could they tell authorities whether MJ was circumcised or not. The obvious reason is that they never saw MJ's genitals so there is no way they could know these things.

    It's doubtful that even under modest scrutiny that this movie and its participants will age well. It's littered with lies (claims that have been debunked) and contradictions that are too egregious to be believable - defending MJ after Chandler's father's accusation came to light among the most glaring.

    Tarnishing a famous dead man for 15 minutes of fame, to court controversy dollars, and extend the hope of winning bogus lawsuits is shameful.    … Expand
  24. ADoB
    Mar 14, 2019
    0
    Long, boring, lies. HBO production bet on the wrong horse. Couldnt even finish it.
  25. 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.
  26. NonnasDangerous
    Mar 13, 2019
    0
    DISGUSTING! The fact that they are making up false lies with no evidence in order to gain some cash from a dead man. The law doesn't protect dead people from defamation, so they can just get away scot-free with what they are saying. THEY SHOULD BE LOCKED UP THEY ARE DISGUSTING!
  27. RidleayRomero
    Mar 13, 2019
    0
    It's almost become a recurring cycle now for people to accuse Michael Jackson of molestation. Back when the trials were still ongoing, several people already had accused him and yet the two people in this "Documentary" are not among the people that he allegedly molested. From obvious actors to possible scam artists, it's like a conga-line of lies parading around as half-truths. The factIt's almost become a recurring cycle now for people to accuse Michael Jackson of molestation. Back when the trials were still ongoing, several people already had accused him and yet the two people in this "Documentary" are not among the people that he allegedly molested. From obvious actors to possible scam artists, it's like a conga-line of lies parading around as half-truths. The fact that this docudrama (yes, I'm calling it that) was released well after the passing of Michael means that he has no way to sue the producer for defamation. Did everyone just forget about the actual trial that he had? And came out of it not guilty? Still, people will just forget about it like last time then something exposes the producer as a fraud and then we'll get another one defaming him again.… Expand
  28. 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
  29. 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,
  30. UncleWillard
    Mar 12, 2019
    6
    The 6 is for the quality of the show, but I gotta ask, why? Why now? The man is dead and he was acquitted once and settled with the family(s). And one of these kids lied on the stand when he had the chance to expose him. I get it, he was much beloved by some (I always preferred the Jackson 5 over his solo stuff), and this was a young kid who was taken advantage of (I don't know if IThe 6 is for the quality of the show, but I gotta ask, why? Why now? The man is dead and he was acquitted once and settled with the family(s). And one of these kids lied on the stand when he had the chance to expose him. I get it, he was much beloved by some (I always preferred the Jackson 5 over his solo stuff), and this was a young kid who was taken advantage of (I don't know if I believe or not, but something happened to these kids), but no excuses for this kind of behavior. Having said that, it's a little late to bring this up now, isn't it? Unnecessary documentary if there ever was one.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

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#23 Best TV Season of 2019
7
#7 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019
39
#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].
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  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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