It’s Never Over: New Jeff Buckley Documentary Reveals Singer’s Turbulent Life and Legacy

The haunting echo of “Hallelujah” still reverberates through music history, but the man behind the iconic cover remained an enigma—until now. Premiering at Sundance Film Festival, Amy Berg’s documentary It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley offers unprecedented access to the singer-songwriter’s turbulent journey, untangling the myths surrounding his tragic drowning at age 30. Through intimate interviews and archival footage, Berg crafts a portrait that resonates with both lifelong devotees and newfound admirers.

How Did Jeff Buckley’s Personal Struggles Shape His Music?

Buckley’s life was a tapestry of artistic ambition and profound emotional conflict. The film reveals how his relationship with absent father Tim Buckley—a folk-rock legend who died of a heroin overdose at 28—cast a long shadow. As Berg’s documentary notes, Jeff grappled with the pressure to honor his father’s legacy while fiercely rejecting comparisons. His mother, Mary Guibert, describes in the film how this duality fueled his creative intensity but also contributed to his isolation.

Grace, Buckley’s 1994 debut album, initially underperformed commercially in North America despite critical acclaim. The documentary exposes the relentless touring schedule demanded by his label, which executives believed would catalyze his breakthrough. Bandmates recount exhaustion and creative friction during this period, with one noting: “The industry saw Jeff as a product, not a poet.” Yet European audiences embraced him immediately, foreshadowing his posthumous global influence.

The Making of a Reluctant Icon

Berg masterfully contrasts Buckley’s anxiety over his sophomore album with the explosive fame that followed his death. Interviews with former partners and musicians detail his meticulous creative process and frustration with commercial expectations. Notably, Brad Pitt—an early admirer and executive producer of the documentary—advocates for preserving Buckley’s artistic integrity in the film.

The drowning in Memphis’ Wolf River in 1997 abruptly halted his ascent, but paradoxically cemented his legend. Grace went platinum, and his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” became a cultural touchstone, topping charts years after his passing. Music historian Robert Christgau observed in a 2023 Rolling Stone retrospective: “No artist’s posthumous impact so vastly eclipsed their living success.”

Key revelations from the documentary include:

• Buckley’s intense bond with his mother, who moderated early fan forums
• Never-before-seen footage of studio sessions for his unfinished second album
• Testimonies from close friends about his premonitions of early death

Why Buckley’s Legacy Endures

Berg’s lens captures how Buckley’s vulnerability became his superpower. His ability to channel pain into transcendent performances—like the electrifying Live at Sin-é recordings—created an enduring connection with listeners. Modern artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Hozier cite his raw emotional delivery as foundational to their work, proving his aesthetic remains strikingly contemporary.

“Jeff’s music endures because he sang the truth of human fragility. This film finally shows the man behind the myth—flawed, brilliant, and eternally alive in every note he left us.”
– Amy Berg, Director

The tragedy of Buckley’s unrealized potential makes It’s Never Over essential viewing. Yet Berg’s greatest achievement is redirecting focus from his death to his artistic philosophy: that beauty exists in impermanent moments. For new generations discovering “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” or “Last Goodbye,” the documentary provides context for the soul behind the sound.

Jeff Buckley’s story proves artistic immortality isn’t measured in years lived, but in the timeless resonance of raw honesty. Experience his journey through Berg’s revelatory documentary—streaming now on major platforms.

Must Know

Q: Where can I watch the Jeff Buckley documentary?
A: It’s Never Over premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2024 and is now available globally on streaming platforms including Prime Video and Apple TV. Physical media releases are planned for late 2024.

Q: What songs feature in the documentary?
A: The film includes rare performances of “Grace,” “Mojo Pin,” and “Lilac Wine,” plus never-released demos from Buckley’s unfinished second album. His iconic “Hallelujah” cover anchors the emotional climax.

Q: How did Jeff Buckley die?
A: Buckley accidentally drowned in the Wolf River, Memphis, on May 29, 1997, while awaiting his band’s arrival. He was 30. The documentary includes eyewitness accounts from that evening.

Q: What was Buckley’s relationship with his father Tim Buckley?
A: Tim abandoned Jeff as an infant and died at 28. The film explores Jeff’s complex feelings—admiration for his father’s talent mixed with resentment—through childhood letters and interviews with his mother.

Q: Who produced the documentary?
A: Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil) helmed the project, with Brad Pitt among executive producers. Pitt championed the film for over a decade.