A new documentary series, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, sheds light on the ongoing struggle of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, two men who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse. The series follows their journey as they attempt to seek justice against Jackson’s estate.
The story begins in 2013 when Robson appears on US television to make his claims, sparking a decade-long battle for redress. However, their case faces numerous challenges, including legal arguments that claim their allegations are beyond the statute of limitations and cannot be directed at Jackson’s estate or its company, MJJ Productions.
Despite facing vitriol and misinformation from Jackson supporters, Robson and Safechuck persevere, with Oprah Winfrey praising them for their courage during a heated exchange on her show. The new documentary series offers an intimate look at the struggles of these survivors, but it is marred by the lack of opposing views.
The film’s creators attempted to cover some of the key topics left untouched in the original Leaving Neverland, including the challenges faced by abuse victims in forming adult relationships and the emotional toll on their parents. However, the legal battle between Robson and Safechuck and Jackson’s estate dominates the narrative.
Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson explores how comprehensive the original documentary was but fails to delve deeper into the inner workings of Jackson’s staff and their knowledge of the allegations. The series concludes with a Zoom hearing, where judges dress down MJJ Productions lawyer for being evasive on key points.
With its focus primarily on the legal proceedings, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson feels like an extension of the original documentary rather than a separate entity.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/mar/18/leaving-neverland-2-surviving-michael-jackson-review-dan-reed