SPOILER ALERT: This review contains key details about Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson.
Dan Reed’s groundbreaking 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland shook the world, offering a detailed and disturbing account of the allegations against Michael Jackson. With firsthand testimony from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, the film painted a harrowing picture of abuse and its aftermath. Now, six years later, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson revisits the story, but does it have anything new to say?
The original film had a lasting impact, fundamentally shifting the public’s perception of one of music’s most iconic figures. More than just an exposé, it delved into the psychology of grooming, victim silence, and the role of enablers. It also explored the way Jackson’s fame allowed him to maneuver in ways that would raise red flags for anyone less powerful. While his estate has always denied all allegations, Leaving Neverland left little room for doubt among most viewers.
This follow-up, however, turns its lens on Robson and Safechuck, focusing on their prolonged legal battle rather than revisiting their traumatic past. Beginning in 2013 with Robson’s public accusations, the documentary follows the duo’s quest for justice over the past decade, a journey fraught with legal technicalities and public scrutiny. Jackson’s death in 2009, the time lapse between alleged abuse and the claims, and the complexities of statute limitations have all played a role in delaying their pursuit of accountability.
One of the film’s most powerful moments comes in its coverage of the backlash Robson and Safechuck faced after the release of Leaving Neverland. A standout clip features the two appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show, where she herself an abuse survivor warns them of the wave of hostility they would soon encounter. “I’m just here to say that you are not alone,” she tells them. The documentary captures how the media storm, fueled by misinformation and fervent Jackson defenders, made their fight even more difficult.
Yet, despite these compelling moments, Leaving Neverland 2 struggles to justify its existence. The original film thoroughly covered key aspects of survival after abuse emotional turmoil, strained parental relationships, and long-term psychological damage. The sequel, by contrast, gets bogged down in legal minutiae, following the drawn-out court battle against MJJ Productions.
The film does build to a dramatic courtroom moment, featuring a Zoom hearing where frustrated judges challenge MJJ Productions’ legal team. However, after a long and complex buildup, the conclusion is underwhelming: the real trial, set to take place in 2026, is still yet to begin. Given this, one has to wonder—would it have been better to wait?
Another significant shortcoming is the absence of the opposing side. While Leaving Neverland took a firm stance by focusing on the accusers’ testimony, this sequel could have benefited from a more balanced approach. Reed acknowledges his attempts to engage with MJJ Productions, even highlighting a letter in which he writes, “I’m begging you.” However, with their refusal to participate, key questions about what Jackson’s inner circle knew remain unanswered.
Ultimately, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson keeps the conversation going, but without much fresh insight. It’s an important story, but perhaps it wasn’t the right time to tell this next chapter just yet.
Watch Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson on Channel 4.
