‘Leaving Neverland’ Documentary Paints Haunting Picture Of Child Sexual Abuse By Michael Jackson

In the wake of the #Metoo movement and the Surviving R. Kelly documentary, survivors and their stories are more believed than ever before. This is a triumphant time for survivors to finally get their peace of mind. Yet, this also reminds us we shouldn’t sugarcoat or excuse away stories, especially those stories are as haunting as Leaving Neverland.

Michael Jackson Documentary

Let me preface this by saying this documentary is a one-sided view into the alleged child molestation by Michael Jackson. The Jackson family weren’t interviewed during the production of the documentary to refute any of the claims made in the film. The family has even launched a lawsuit against HBO. Yet, despite all of that it is important that Wade Robson and James Safechuck, the survivors, get their due and a chance to air their grievances. The documentary is graphic with detailed descriptions and evidence — videos, voicemail messages and handwritten faxes about what Jackson did, which is quite damning.

Jackson at the zenith of his fame made these boys feel special, he told them how lonely he was and told them they were the only ones who understood him. Jackson reportedly uses this to get them in bed with him. Jackson allegedly abused them, he french kissed the boys, slept with them, and allegedly masturbated to them.

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“I was going to my grave with that truth of the sexual stuff that happened between Michael and I,” said Robson. “There was no way in hell I was ever going to tell anyone in the universe.”

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Leaving Neverland is a four-hour documentary that tells a compelling, but one-sided case of the alleged molestation Jackson committed against these minors. Yet, this film isn’t about him, it’s about Robson and Safechuck and their testimony of childhood sexual abuse. This film leaves the viewer in disbelief not knowing what’s true and how to process this heap of new information about a beloved deceased celebrity.

When it comes to Michael Jackson, how long can fans suspend their disbelief? Our critic-at-large @Wesley_Morris reviews HBO's "Leaving Neverland," a 4-hour documentary in which 2 men accuse Jackson of sexually abusing them as children. https://t.co/GdW9yq1vl4

— The New York Times (@nytimes) March 1, 2019

Oprah Winfrey, arguably the most famous survivor of childhood sexual abuse in the world, recorded a special with two men whose allegations against Michael Jackson are detailed in the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland." https://t.co/fMFDXOmA58

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) March 1, 2019