It’s Never Over: The Jeff Buckley Documentary Review
An icon of today’s music influence, an underappreciated star of his time, and a human being filled with love, passion, and complexities, Jeff Buckley has captured the hearts and ears of many young listeners online, which helped to incite the creation of It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley. The 2025 documentary is directed by Amy Berg, known for the Oscar-nominated documentary Deliver Us from Evil.
The documentary is about Jeff Buckley, a rising musician in the 1990s who created the now infamous record Grace, featuring covers like “Hallelujah” and “Lilac Wine,” while also introducing originals such as “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” and “Last Goodbye.” The documentary covers the span of Buckley’s life from his parents’ childhood to his own upbringing, his early musical career to his late work in Memphis.
Often overlooked due to the circumstances of his life, Berg uncovers how Jeff was an exuberant, lively person—always expressing empathy and kindness through his music, lyrics, and personality. The documentary also shows a new side of Buckley, specifically how he most likely had manic depressive disorder, leading to erratic behavior and troubled relationships. Having abandoned him before he was born, Tim Buckley, his father, also left his mark. One can see Jeff coping with this hole in his heart through the lyrics of songs like “Dream Brother,” which are beautifully showcased in a masterful scene towards the midpoint of the documentary.
There are several artistic elements added to old interviews and footage to emphasize recurring themes surrounding the mystery of Jeff and his personality, all of which only serve to benefit the viewing experience. Berg manages to encapsulate a complicated, deeply emotional artist’s life and work in a thrilling, heartbreaking, and introspective film made for both new fans and lifetime listeners. It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is still playing in select theaters and is now available for purchase digitally.
