Jeff Buckley remains one of modern music’s most captivating “what-ifs”. In his brief career, he fused rock, folk, and soul with an emotional intensity that felt almost otherworldly, delivering performances as fragile as they were fierce. Best known for his luminous 1994 album Grace, Buckley’s soaring voice and instinct for reinvention made him an artist whose influence has only deepened since his untimely death. Any encounter with his work feels less like discovering a singer and more like meeting a spirit that still refuses to fade.
When this documentary was first announced, I was thrilled as a longtime Buckley fan—though also curious about how a film could be shaped around such a brief career. What emerges is a surprisingly rich portrait: never-before-seen footage, intimate voice messages, and heartfelt recollections from Buckley’s family, friends, and closest collaborators weave together to illuminate the singular talent who died tragically in 1997 after releasing only one album.
Despite being a devoted fan of Jeff Buckley’s music—and Grace in particular—I realised how little I actually knew about his personal life and the impact he had on those around him. The documentary sheds light on just how far his influence reached; at one point it even reveals that Radiohead were so inspired after watching him perform that they went home and wrote “Fake Plastic Trees,” and that Buckley was once hailed as the “new Bob Dylan.”
It’s deeply moving to see where he came from, especially growing up with an absent father, and how he shaped himself into the artist he became. I found myself falling even more in love with him through his unwavering defence of women and the tenderness he showed toward them. His bond with his mother, in particular, runs through the entire film—captured beautifully in one moment when he tells her, “It takes a real spirit to raise a kid, and you brought me into this world.”
The film carries a truly authentic, almost home-movie quality, creating an atmosphere that feels deeply intimate and personal. Through candid interviews with his family and friends, paired with a wealth of never-before-seen photos and footage, you gain a revealing look into Buckley’s life and character. It offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes, capturing the parts of him that were left offstage.
This film is essential viewing for Jeff Buckley devotees- and for any music lover curious about the depth of his artistry and the far-reaching influence he left behind. More than just a documentary, it’s a loving, immersive tribute that brings Buckley’s spirit back into focus. For fans and newcomers alike, it offers a poignant reminder that with an artist like Jeff, it’s never over=his voice continues to echo long after the final note.
It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley is due to be released in the UK on February 13th 2026.
Megan Hilborne (Instagram: meghillbilly) is a freelance writer and film critic based in Portsmouth. She graduated with a degree in Film in 2020 and has continued her study of the medium in her day-to-day life. She takes particular interest in indie, horror, feminist and queer cinema.
