Jeff Buckley made one proper studio album, then somehow became a lifelong obsession for people who swear they do not do “obsessions”. This documentary gets unusually close, using intimate archive material and the memories of those who knew him best.
Film details
- Title: It’s never over, Jeff Buckley
- Premiere date (Rotterdam): 8 January 2026
- Director: Amy Berg
- Runtime: 106 min
- Language & subtitles: English spoken, Dutch subtitles
- Age rating: 12 (includes violence and strong language)
- Where to watch in Rotterdam: KINO, LantarenVenster, Cinerama
Director Amy Berg follows Jeff Buckley’s short, intense musical life through rare archive footage, voice messages, and reflections from people close to him, including his mother Mary Guibert, former partners, bandmates, and fellow musicians. The film traces his rise, the cult pull of Grace, and the emotional aftershocks of his sudden death, while keeping the focus on the human being behind the voice.
What’s the vibe?
Tender, electric, and slightly unreal, like walking home after a gig when the city is quiet but your head is still ringing. It is part love letter, part archive dive, part gentle reminder that a once in a generation voice does not make life any less complicated.
Trailer
Check out the trailer below.
Why you might like it
- Eyes: Beautifully assembled archival material and performance footage that makes time collapse in the best way.
- Heart: A film that keeps circling back to the people who loved him, without turning him into a saint.
- Mind: A smart look at legacy, pressure, and how an artist can become a “myth” while still being painfully human.
Critical reception
Critics have been very kind to this one, especially about its access and emotional clarity. Rotten Tomatoes lists a 98% Tomatometer (55 reviews) and a 97% audience score (100+ verified ratings), with a consensus that calls it a comprehensive retrospective that leaves you thinking about what could have been.
Metacritic lands in the “generally favourable” zone too, with a Metascore of 72 based on 17 critic reviews.
On the festival and awards side, the film premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, and it later picked up an Astra Film Awards nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
Scene to watch for
The early footage of a teenage Buckley singing “Roxanne” is the kind of moment that makes a cinema go very still. It is not “look how talented he was”, it is “oh, that voice was already there”.
Recommended pairing
Go for something low-key and comforting afterwards: a warm bowl of soup or ramen, then a slow evening walk by the river with headphones on. If you are with a friend, swap Buckley memories (or confessions) on the way home, and let the city do the listening.
Need-to-knows
- This is a music documentary, but it plays like a character portrait, so you do not need to be a superfan to follow it.
- If you only know the famous tracks, it helps to know: Buckley released one studio album, Grace (1994), and died in 1997 at age 30.
- Expect Dutch subtitles throughout, which is handy if you are watching with mixed-language company.
- Screening times vary by venue, so check the ticket pages right before you go.
