Leaving Neverland, the explosive documentary detailing allegations of sexual abuse against Michael Jackson, has been described by stunned critics as a 'devastatingly powerful' and convincing portrayal of a serial predator.  

The four-hour film centered around testimony from two accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, left audiences sick to their stomach's after its Friday debut at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.  

A number of critics took to Twitter during and after the premiere to express their genuine shock at the disturbing revelations laid out in the film, which will be released by HBO this spring.  

Summing up the general sentiment the following morning, Indiewire's David Ehrlich wrote: 'You’ll never listen to Michael Jackson the same way again. In fact, you may never listen to Michael Jackson again at all.'

The film debuted despite strong pushback from Jackson's estate, which has firmly denied all allegations against the late singer.   

Robson, 36, and Safechuck, 40, have long claimed that to have been raped and molested by Jackson at his Neverland Ranch after meeting the singer when they were seven and ten, respectively.  

Leaving Neverland galvanizes their stories with through extensive research and concrete evidence, according to critics.
 
In his review of the film, veteran critic Ehrlich writes: 'It may not be much of a secret that Michael Jackson acted inappropriately with a number of young boys, but there’s no way to prepare yourself for the sickening forensic details presented in Dan Reed’s four-hour exposé.

Mail Online

BDST: 1444 HRS, JAN 27, 2019
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