Documentary
United Kingdom,United States of America
Leaving Neverland is a four-hour documentary film directed and produced by Dan Reed. It primarily tells the stories of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused by Michael Jackson at his home, Neverland Ranch, when they were children.
The film consists of four parts: “Meet the Boys”, “The Abuse”, “The Aftermath”, and “Leaving Neverland”. In the first part, Wade and James describe how they met Michael Jackson and how he became a constant presence in their lives. The second part delves into the sexual abuse they say they endured at the hands of Jackson, which they claim occurred for several years.
The third part explores how the abuse impacted their lives as they grew older and tried to come to terms with what happened to them. Both men describe how they struggled with depression, anxiety, and relationships as a result of the trauma they experienced.
In the final part, “Leaving Neverland,” Wade and James discuss how they finally found the courage to speak out about what happened to them and the backlash they have faced since coming forward. The film includes interviews with their families and friends, as well as legal experts and psychologists who discuss the impact of child sexual abuse.
The film has been met with both criticism and praise, with some fans of Jackson vehemently denying the allegations and others calling for his music to be banned. Jackson's estate has also issued statements denying the allegations and suing HBO for airing the documentary. Despite the controversy, Leaving Neverland has been widely praised for its honest and unflinching portrayal of child sexual abuse and its impact on survivors.
