A documentary capturing the life of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of failed health technology company Theranos, has been released to critical acclaim. "You Can See Everything" was filmed over 34 days before Holmes began her prison sentence for fraud and conspiracy. The film, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, provides an intimate look at Holmes' life at home with her partner, Billy Evans, and their two children. The documentary had its debut at the Telluride Film Festival in September, where it received high praise.
Theranos, founded by Holmes in the early 2010s, was hailed as a revolutionary health technology company that claimed to perform medical tests using just a few drops of blood. However, the company's promises proved to be false, and it eventually shut down. Holmes' rapid rise and fall from fame was marked by a sensational trial, which ended in her 2022 sentencing to more than 11 years in prison. The scandal surrounding Theranos has been chronicled in various media, including a book, podcasts, and the biographical mini-series "The Dropout."
The documentary "You Can See Everything" is a unique blend of documentary and reality television, offering a candid portrayal of Holmes' daily life. Fielder, a Canadian comedian and writer, is known for his awkward and cringe-worthy comedic style, which is evident in the film. According to Fielder and Oppenheim, Holmes initiated conversations with independent entertainment company A24 about documenting her life, and she invited them into her California home to film.
The film features close-up shots of Fielder face-to-face with Holmes, which have become a viral sensation on social media. Fielder said that he was often made "uncomfortable" by Holmes' intense eye contact during filming. Despite the challenges of filming, including tensions with Holmes' partner, Evans, the filmmakers were able to complete the project without being thrown out. Fielder and Oppenheim described their experience as "really sad and hard at times."
A screening of the documentary in Los Angeles was attended by celebrities, including Zach Cregger, Hannah Einbinder, and Aziz Ansari. During a discussion after the screening, Fielder and Oppenheim shared their experiences filming the documentary. Fielder said that he was still trying to process what he had experienced and was excited for the film to be released so that others could help him understand it better.
Holmes and Evans have not seen the finished documentary, and Holmes remains in prison. The film is set to be released in US theaters on October 16. Fielder and Oppenheim said that they were surprised by Holmes' willingness to open up to them and allow them to film her daily life. The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the life of a woman who has been largely out of the public eye since her trial.
The release of "You Can See Everything" marks a new chapter in the Theranos scandal, offering a fresh perspective on the life of Elizabeth Holmes. The documentary raises questions about the nature of reality and truth, and the blurred lines between documentary and reality television. As the film makes its way to theaters, audiences will be eager to see the intimate portrayal of Holmes' life before prison.
Key points
- The documentary "You Can See Everything" was filmed over 34 days before Elizabeth Holmes' incarceration and offers a rare glimpse into her life at home with her partner and children.
- Holmes was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for fraud and conspiracy related to the collapse of her health technology company, Theranos.
- The film's directors, Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, said that Holmes initiated conversations about documenting her life and invited them into her home to film.
