Ozzy Osbourne Doc ‘No Escape From Now’ Biggest Revelations: A Botched Spinal Surgery, ‘Never’ Getting Over Black Sabbath Firing and Being ‘Very Afraid’ for His Final Show

The new Paramount+ documentary "No Escape From Now" provides a starkly intimate look into the final chapter of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne's life. Directed by Tania Alexander, the two-hour film follows the artist—who passed away on July 22 at age 76—as he confronts immense health challenges. These stemmed from a serious 2019 fall and his protracted battle with Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. The documentary powerfully contrasts his physical suffering and limitations with his resilient spirit and dark wit, underscoring the unwavering support of his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne. A driving theme is his profound desire for one last performance, a dream he realized with his "Back to the Beginning" hometown concert in Birmingham, England. In a deeply moving reflection, Ozzy states, "I don't feel I've finished yet. I want to say to my fans, 'Thank you for the years.' I haven't said that yet. That's what it's all about."

Featuring some of his final interviews, the film includes raw conversations with his family—Sharon and children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack—and an impressive roster of rock royalty, including Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, Guns N' Roses members Duff McKagan and Slash, Metallica's James Hetfield and Robert Trujillo, Billy Idol, Tool's Maynard James Keenan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith. A particularly shocking revelation centers on the spinal surgery Ozzy underwent after his 2019 accident at his Los Angeles home. This operation, which forced the cancellation of his tour and plunged him into a "massive depression," is presented as potentially avoidable and ultimately detrimental. Sharon recounts a second surgeon's opinion that the initial procedure was "overly aggressive," involving the insertion of superfluous plates and screws that caused permanent damage. This medical ordeal led to chronic pain and severe complications, including life-threatening blood clots from prolonged inactivity.

Ozzy's psychological turmoil is laid bare as he admits to falling into a deep depression and even contemplating suicide. "The thought of not doing any gigs anymore, I went really into depression. I'm on antidepressants now, actually," he confesses. His son Jack's fury is evident, as he declares, "That fucking doctor just stripped him of his abilities to move, and it makes me so angry because I felt like all of this could have been avoided." This situation highlights a tragic reality for many veteran performers, where decades of physically demanding live shows collide with the vulnerabilities of aging. As music historian Dr. Evelyn Shaw notes, "The legacy of a rock star's lifestyle and the grueling nature of touring often manifest as profound physical and mental health crises later in life, making a graceful exit from the stage one of their most difficult performances."

The film also explores his complicated history with Black Sabbath, the pioneering heavy metal band he was infamously fired from in 1979 due to drug and alcohol abuse—a dismissal his daughter Kelly says "destroyed him." Despite this deep wound, the documentary captures a significant reconciliation with guitarist Tony Iommi, who became a pillar of support during Ozzy's health struggles. Their joint performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham—a city globally recognized as the birthplace of heavy metal—served as an emotional prelude to his final show. This rich backdrop made his inability to attend his own Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in October 2024 all the more heartbreaking. Confined to a "throne" by pain and Parkinson's, he watched from home as a supergroup performed his songs. "I wasn't thinking, 'I'm glad they're doing my fucking gig for me.' I was going, 'What the fuck is wrong with me?'" Ozzy recalls, his frustration palpable. In a moment of desperate optimism, he even searched the internet for "bionic legs," joking about becoming "the real Iron Man."

In the weeks leading up to the Birmingham farewell, Ozzy's condition deteriorated sharply. He suffered a cracked vertebra related to the earlier botched surgery, resulting in a hospital stay where he contracted pneumonia and sepsis, a life-threatening response to infection. Against the odds, he recovered enough to make the journey. Sharon shares that he was "very afraid" before taking the stage but trusted that the raw emotion of the event would carry him through. The "Back to the Beginning" concert became a historic rock event, featuring the final reunion of Black Sabbath's original lineup and a host of other iconic musicians. Footage shows overwhelmed, weeping fans witnessing their hero's last performance. "I'm nervous. It's my last hurrah," Ozzy admitted, paying a tender tribute to his wife: "I just hope I don't think of Sharon when I'm up there, because then the fucking tears will start coming. We've done a lot of miles together, me and my old girl. This is it, this is the last thing. And I've accepted it, you know."