A24’s You Can See Everything: A Provocative Documentary on Elizabeth Holmes
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim explore the nature of deception in a three-hour cinematic odyssey.
1A Cinematic Deception
A24’s documentary You Can See Everything, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, examines the rise and fall of Elizabeth Holmes. The film, which runs for three hours, challenges traditional documentary structures. It utilizes cinéma vérité, direct host interaction, and dramatic re-enactments to dissect the complex nature of truth.
2The Narrative Structure
The film is divided into three distinct sections. Initially, Fielder embeds himself with Holmes and her family. Following her imprisonment, the focus shifts to her partner, Billy Evans. Finally, the documentary employs actor Amanda Seyfried to reenact prison encounters, providing a unique perspective on the subject’s ongoing legal culpability.
3Box Office Success
Since its release on October 16, the documentary has become a significant commercial phenomenon in the United States and Canada. It has already generated 80 million dollars in revenue. A24 is currently managing an extensive campaign, positioning the film as a potential contender for the Oscars in major categories.
4Challenging Reality
The film explores Holmes’s claim that she was misunderstood regarding the science behind her blood-testing technology. Fielder and Seyfried adopt detective-like roles, analyzing testimonies from conflicting viewpoints. This approach highlights the subjective nature of truth, positioning the documentary as a defining emblem of the current era of fake news.
5The Teaser Controversy
A viral teaser trailer featuring Fielder and Holmes created significant internet buzz, with many viewers initially mistaking it for a horror film. However, the actual movie offers a softer, more fluid atmosphere. This discrepancy serves as an early example of the film’s central theme: the deliberate manipulation of audience perception.
6Subjective Investigative Methods
By casting Amanda Seyfried, who previously portrayed Holmes in the series The Dropout, the directors blur the lines between reality and performance. This meta-commentary allows the filmmakers to explore the subject’s psyche when direct access is restricted by her eleven-year federal prison sentence, which followed a four-month fraud trial.
7Critical Reception Analysis
While the film is noted for its provocative nature, some critics argue it is overlong and experiences pacing issues until the investigation into Billy Evans begins. Despite these critiques, the documentary is recognized for its forward-thinking approach to personal perspectives, effectively dissecting how a Silicon Valley star became a notorious fraudster.
8Future Industry Impact
Scheduled for a November 20 UK cinema release, the film continues to spark debate regarding documentary ethics. By blending established techniques with experimental narrative choices, Fielder and Oppenheim have created a work that forces viewers to question the reliability of their own observations when confronted with high-profile corporate deception.
Original article: NME — A24’s You Can See Everything: A Provocative Documentary on Elizabeth Holmes