‘A horror film’: Michael Jackson Sundance documentary shocks critics but angers fans

Critics have been left shaken by allegations of abuse against Michael Jackson in a new documentary so explicit that counsellors were on hand after the viewing.

Critics have been left shaken after the world premiere of Leaving Neverland, with the documentary so sexually explicit counsellors were on hand to support the audience after the viewing.

On Friday the Sundance Film Festival premiered the controversial new documentary, which airs allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson.

The four hour documentary, which was shown in two parts, detailed the accounts of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both claim they were abused as boys by the singer.

Michael Jackson repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse throughout his life. Picture: AP

Jackson repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse during his lifetime and was acquitted of child molestation criminal charges in 2005.

US Weekly film critic Mara Reinstein tweeted that she was “shaking” after watching Leaving Neverland, claiming Jackson “was a paedophile”.

Feel sick to my stomach after watching Part 1 of #LeavingNeverland doc. Michael Jackson witnesses/sex abuse victims coming off very credible. It’s so sexually explicit that counselors are in the lobby. #SundanceFilmFestival2019

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) January 25, 2019

Shaking. Wow. We were all wrong when we cheered for Michael Jackson. He was a pedophile. #LeavingNeverland #SundanceFilmFestival2019

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) January 25, 2019

Hollywood Elsewhere’s Jeff Wells described Leaving Neverland as a “horror film” with Robson and Safechuck “obviously believable”.

“Leaving Neverland” is a horror film — an intimate, obviously believable, sometimes sexually explicit story of two boys who became MIchael Jackson’s special “friends” — i.e., lovers — while their oblivious parents went along. Jackson was a fiend — a smooth predator, a monster.

— Hollywood Elsewhere (@wellshwood) January 25, 2019

You should have seen the faces of the audience members during the ten-minute intermission of “Leaving Neverland.” at the Egyptian. They had that look of hollowed-out nausea, submerged disgust…trying to hide their revulsion. The Jackson guilt denialists are finished. Jig’s up.

— Hollywood Elsewhere (@wellshwood) January 25, 2019

Michael Jackson doc Leaving Neverland just ended. Absolutely devastating. Q&A about to start.

— Tatiana Siegel (@TatianaSiegel27) January 25, 2019

USA Today’s Patrick Ryan said there were “many common parallels in victims stories” and “disturbing revelations”, including one allegation that Jackson bough a boy jewellery “in exchange for sex acts”.

Wade Robson, Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed and James Safechuck at the Sundance Film Festival. Picture: Taylor Jewell

The Daily Beast’s Kevin Fallon described the content as “more disturbing than you could imagine”.

Many common parallels in victims’ stories: MJ grooming them to hate their parents and women in general, saying God brought them together, eventually “casting them out” for younger boys. “There was a lot of jealousy and hurt. You were no longer special.”

— Patrick Ryan (@PatRyanWrites) January 25, 2019

On a 10-min break halfway through Sundance’s 4-hour Michael Jackson child sex abuse documentary. Whatever you thought you knew or were aware of, the content of this is more disturbing than you could imagine. And again, we’re only halfway through.

— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) January 25, 2019

'Leaving Neverland,' the 4-hour documentary on Michael Jackson's alleged child sexual abuse, is absolutely devastating. #Sundance

— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) January 25, 2019

Many other critics noted the presence of health workers outside the theatre to counsel viewers if needed and warnings that the documentary contained explicit content.

After the film Robson and Safechuck held a question-and-answer session with the audience, with critics tweeting the pair had spoken about how difficult sharing their story had been.

A #sundancefilmfestival first: introducing the screening of the disturbing "Leaving Neverland" Michael Jackson documentary, fest topper John Cooper announced "there will be health care professionals" in the Egyptian Theater lobby if needed. This is one intense film.

— Kenneth Turan (@KennethTuran) January 25, 2019

What does Wade Robson say 2 MJ fans who don’t believe him? “I don’t feel like there’s anything that I need to say to them except: I understand that it’s rly hard for them 2 believe. Bc in a way, not that long ago, I was in the same position that they were even tho it happ 2 me"

— Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) January 25, 2019

“It’s a long time coming. Just connecting with someone who’s been through this, it’s amazing.” James Safechuck, on finally being able to share his experiences with Wade Robeson through #LeavingNeverland. Before this, they’d only met briefly as kids. #Sundance2019 pic.twitter.com/oBFQXdXCOj

— Patrick Ryan (@PatRyanWrites) January 25, 2019

Despite initial fears from police the premiere would be protested by fans of the late pop star, only a handful of people turned out in person to picket the screening.

Police and dogs easily outnumbered the protesters, with the documentary’s audience going through intense security screening before they were allowed in the theatre.

Park City’s finest here to corral a total of two (2) protesters at the Michael Jackson accuser doc #leavingneverland pic.twitter.com/f5DdRJPxM9

— Matt Donnelly (@MattDonnelly) January 25, 2019

Instead Jackson’s supporters took their dissent online, disputing critic claims that Leaving Neverland detailed credible victims’ stories.

Condemning a man off a one-sided four-hour documentary? Smh.

— Nicole Rodriguez (@NicRodriguez) January 25, 2019

how does explicit=credible? I've seen enough law&order svu to rattle off some wild scenarios too. the basis for believability should be grounded in something other than shock value.

— gohomeroger (@knotchoes) January 25, 2019

The documentary’s IMDB page was also hacked, with Leaving Neverland changed to Liar, Liar 2: The Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck Story, Variety reported.

The Jackson estate has released a statement saying the documentary is “just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations”.

“Wade Robson and James Safechuck have both testified under oath that Michael never did anything inappropriate toward them,” the statement said.

“This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.”

Festival goers are screened by security personnel outside of the premiere of the Leaving Neverland. Picture: Danny Moloshok

Wade Robson leaves the Santa Barbara County Superior Court after testifying on Jackson's trial on child molestation in 2005. Picture: AFP

Robson testified that Jackson never molested him at the singer’s 2005 trial, but claims in Leaving Neverland he only did so because he was scared of what would happen if he told the truth, TMZ reports.

Safechuck gave similar evidence to police investigators when he was a boy but did not testify at the 2005 trial.

Both Robson and Safechuck filed lawsuits claiming they were sexually abused by Jackson following his 2009 death, however, both were dismissed after a judge said they had been filed too late.

Jackson settled financially with another accuser, Jordan Chandler, in 1994.