Leaving Neverland 2 Is Out, But Where Is The Original One?

7 years since Leaving Neverland , a 2019 documentary by Dan Reed shook the world and presented Michael Jackson in a completely different light. Today, that documentary is missing from the internet but the sequel Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson has made its way to Channel in the UK.

Few cultural debates have been as polarising for years as the controversy surrounding Jackson so much so that since the documentary is out, it has sparked global debate.

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Forget the conspiracy theories that still want people to believe that MJ is alive, hiding away from the hall of fame. In an eerie silence, the follow-up film Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson has come out, yet again bringing MJ in the headlines. It almost feels like it replaces the original one, however, those familiar with the what's of the Dan Reed film find not much to discourse over in the sequel that highlights in the end credits that the big trial is set for 2026, although their lawsuits were previously dismissed by the courts.

In frame : Wade Robson, James Safechuck, and director Dan ReedIMDb

Centred around the alleged sexual allegations made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck against Jackson, the original film sparked intense discussions around the King of Pop's legacy among fans and critics alike.

But it is not just about the star, the 2019 film also discussed the brutal reality around child abuse. It questioned the safety of the children while critically portraying the heights of fame that may seem glamourous on the surface but perhaps isn't all about it.

While the new film, currently available in U.S based YouTube only, shares the details of the trial and the survivor's life - again covered in the prequel. However, it is an important cultural conversation that matters, even if the film may not reach Indian audiences or may not be as impactful as the new one.

The Hero Narrative: More Than Admiration

The fact that the film has sequel makes us ponder over the hero narrative beyond Reed's subjects in the documentary. Many of us are taught to look up to figures of power and dominance and associate success to them. These figures male or female become our framework for what you want to be when you grow up or how you want to be.

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So, when the image of these public figures cracks, its not just about our belief systems taking a hit, it is also a moment to turn the wheel into a direction that allows you have conversations of the matters that really matter, more than what matters to the world. The danger of putting our favourite heroes on the pedestal, almost leaves little room for admirers to accept complexity, flaws, or even questions them.

What needs to be re-evaluated then is what a hero really means to us. Is he the one that reinforces our illusions or the one who challenges us to think differently? Is heroism in showing off our power or being aware of the responsibility it carries with it? Sometimes, when we refuse to open our eyes to flaws of our heroes, we allow power to remain unchecked.

Perhaps, why Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson despite its silent reception in the west is crucial piece of document that needs to exist.