r/movies • u/Bullingdon1973 • 15d ago

Article LEAVING NEVERLAND, the 2019 Michael Jackson documentary that shook the world, has effectively vanished after HBO-MAX removed it due to a non-disparagement clause

https://slate.com/culture/2025/03/michael-jackson-leaving-neverland-2-documentary-max-youtube.html
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u/discretelandscapes 15d ago edited 15d ago

I watched this doc and, yes, it was a fascinating watch. I wouldn't say it was badly made or that it's a waste of time (by all means, go search for it), but it was clearly extremely subjective and emotionally manipulative. Basically just two guys telling the most egregious stories for several hours with very little receipts. Like... yeah, I get it I'm supposed to be shocked and all, but it came off as tabloidy and exploitative.

I know this isn't the main reason for it being pulled, but this felt more like TMZ than HBO.

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u/carsonmccrullers 15d ago

Who’s gonna have receipts of their childhood sexual abuse? What would that even look like?

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u/CappnMidgetSlappr 15d ago

Yeah, what an absolutely insane take. Sorry that this kid, at the age of 10, didn't carry a fucking video recorder around with him at all times in the 90s and get photographic evidence of Michael Jackson looking at his butthole.

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u/sidhfrngr 15d ago

James Safechuck did get an audio recording of Michael Jackson in his deep man voice talking about how spending time with him was the best part of his trip like he was talking to his girlfriend or something.

That alone proves that the Peter Pan thing was an act and he was a grown ass man speaking to a little boy like he was in love with him.

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u/stotyreturns 15d ago

That was how he spoke to all of his friends and family. Please. It’s simple. Just google samples of the phone calls he made and letters he wrote to family, adult male friends, adult female friends, and children. It really is that simple. Them using this as evidence really proves how flimsy the case is.

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u/sidhfrngr 15d ago

He was generally a pretty affectionate guy, but you should really listen to that audio recording, it's not just him being nice.

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u/stotyreturns 15d ago

I’ve have listened to countless audios actually. Let me ask you. Did he at all mention anything sexual? His letters to random fans he doesn’t know are more affectionate than what most husbands write to their wives.

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u/sidhfrngr 15d ago

Have you listened to the specific one from Leaving Neverland I'm talking about? You should really watch it if you haven't. I'm a big fan of his music and artistry so I'm aware of other stuff for sure

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u/stotyreturns 15d ago

I have but I’m sure my memory is failing me coz I remember nothing particularly damning about it. Care to enlighten me on the most salacious parts of it?

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u/NihilisticAngst 15d ago

Ah yes, because this audio recording provided by the accuser themselves "proves" anything.