Leaving Neverland (2019)
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Two men recount their experiences of being groomed and sexually abused by Michael Jackson.
The story
Leaving Neverland is a documentary television film that focuses on the stories of Wade Robson and James Safechuck. The film explores their claims of being sexually abused as children by the world-renowned American singer Michael Jackson. The narrative is presented as a study of the psychology of child sexual abuse, told through the experiences of two ordinary families who were allegedly groomed for years by a man masquerading as a trusted friend. The film details the specific nature of the abuse and the psychological impact on the victims, who did not realize the gravity of the situation until they reached adulthood.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film documents the testimonies of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson between 1988 and 1996. They provide graphic descriptions of acts including masturbation, oral sex, and anal sex, which they say occurred at his home, Neverland Ranch, and other locations. The men describe how Jackson manipulated them, told them to distrust women, and attempted to isolate them from their families. Safechuck details a mock wedding and a ring, while Robson describes being replaced by other performers. The film also explores the aftermath of these events, including the men's paths to recovery and the public's reaction to the allegations. The documentary sparked significant controversy, leading to a media backlash against Jackson, a legal battle between HBO and the Jackson estate over a non-disparagement clause, and a variety of rebuttal documentaries.
- First release year
- 2019
- Runtime (minutes)
- 236
- Production countries
- United States; United Kingdom
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Dan Reed
- Cast and characters
- Wade Robson · self; James Safechuck · self
- Genres
- Documentary; True crime
- Themes
- Child sexual abuse; Grooming; Trauma; Memory
- Tone and mood
- Serious; Somber
- Premise and plot tags
- True Crime; Documentary; Celebrity Scandal
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim, winning a Primetime Emmy, but faced a mixed response from viewers and significant controversy regarding its impact on Michael Jackson's legacy.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 98% · scale: percentage · review count: 96; Metacritic · score: 85 · scale: 100
- Awards and nominations
- Primetime Emmy Award · Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special · Win
- Production trivia
- The film's release led to a legal battle with the Jackson estate over a non-disparagement clause.; The film was removed from the Max platform following a settlement with the Jackson estate.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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