Square One

Square One is a 2022 documentary film that delves into the original allegations of child abuse made against Michael Jackson in 1993. The documentary revolves around the story of Jordan Chandler, a 13-year-old boy who accused the pop star of molesting him. The film is a re-examination of the events that transpired nearly three decades ago and raises more questions about the truth behind the allegations. The documentary begins by establishing the context of the allegations. Jordan Chandler's father, Evan Chandler, was a dentist and songwriter who had written songs for several prominent artists, including Michael Jackson. Evan Chandler had been looking to establish a relationship with his famous son's idol and had been attempting to sell Michael Jackson his songwriting services. However, when Jackson rejected his proposals, a series of confrontations ensued, culminating in Evan Chandler making allegations against Michael Jackson of child abuse. Jordan Chandler's mother, Lisa Marie Presley, a singer-songwriter and heiress to Elvis Presley's estate, became embroiled in the scandal when she discovered her husband's claims against Michael Jackson. Lisa Presley's relationship with Michael Jackson began shortly after the allegations were made and lasted approximately two years. The documentary uses a combination of interviews, testimony from key figures, and archival footage to reconstruct the events surrounding the allegations. Evan Chandler provides graphic details about the abuse he claims Michael Jackson inflicted on his son, while Lisa Presley appears to be torn between her love for Jordan and her desire to believe in the allegations. In the documentary, Jordan Chandler is interviewed several times, and his demeanor and responses raise questions about his credibility. While some view Jordan as a victim of a tragic circumstance, others see him as a pawn in a larger game involving his father, mother, and Michael Jackson. The documentary also examines the investigation conducted by the police and the subsequent court proceedings. Detective Tom Sneddon, a persistent critic of Michael Jackson, was involved in the investigation. His handling of the allegations and the evidence presented to the court has been disputed by several former officials. The documentary suggests that Evan Chandler's primary motivation for making the allegations against Michael Jackson was revenge for being rejected and financially abandoned by the singer. In 1993, Evan Chandler wrote a detailed account of his accusations against Michael Jackson in a journal and even considered selling a tell-all book about the affair. Throughout the documentary, several questions are raised about the credibility of the Chandler family and the evidence presented against Michael Jackson. Evan Chandler eventually died in 2009, but the documentary suggests that he and Jordan Chandler's motivations may have been driven by a desire for financial and material gain. The relationship between Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson also forms a central theme throughout the documentary. Their romance seemed to be a genuine one, but their relationship was also viewed by some as a means for Lisa Presley to deflect attention from the allegations and salvage her own public image. The documentary ends by leaving viewers without a definitive conclusion. While it presents compelling evidence that challenges the legitimacy of Jordan Chandler's allegations, it also highlights the complexities and nuances surrounding the scandal. Ultimately, the truth behind the original allegations of child abuse made against Michael Jackson in 1993 remains uncertain.