Dan Reed, director of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, has strongly criticised the new Michael Jackson biopic Michael, accusing it of presenting a false narrative that dismisses allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer.
In an interview with Variety, Reed said the film portrays accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck as liars without explicitly stating so. He described Jackson's portrayal as an 'asexual plastic action doll' and argued that the film distorts Jackson's relationships with children by depicting him as an eccentric, overgrown child rather than addressing predatory behaviour.
Reed highlighted undisputed facts, such as Jackson spending time with young boys and locking bedroom doors, which he said would be enough to convict in a child sexual abuse case. He criticised director Antoine Fuqua for suggesting racism played a role in the controversy and for questioning accusers' motives, noting that Fuqua reportedly earned $25m for the film while the accusers have 'never made a penny'.
The biopic, directed by Fuqua and written by John Logan, focuses on Jackson's early career and his 1988 London concert. It was released to record box office figures, grossing $217m worldwide. Jackson's daughter Paris also criticised the film in September, denying involvement and saying it panders to a specific section of fans.
Reed concluded that the film 'flips the truth on its head' and is impossible to take seriously, adding that the collective imagination cannot accept Jackson as a paedophile.
