At the Telluride Film Festival on Sunday night, audiences were caught off guard when a covertly planned documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, had its unexpected world premiere. “You Can See Everything” delivers unique insights into the final days leading up to the disgraced Theranos founder’s imprisonment.
Mystery Screening Draws a Full House
Sunday’s event at Telluride featured extremely tight security, with organizers managing to keep the film’s identity hidden even as 650 people took their seats in the theater. Attendees had their phones sealed and were only informed of the film’s almost three-hour duration and the presence of its creators among the audience.
This hush-hush approach set the stage for the unannounced debut of “You Can See Everything,” a documentary chronicling the lives of Elizabeth Holmes and her husband Billy Evans during the 34 days preceding Holmes’s incarceration in May 2023. The former Theranos CEO began serving her 11-year prison sentence last year after a conviction for misleading investors about her company’s blood-testing capabilities.
Groundbreaking Access and Creative Team
Directors Lance Oppenheim and Nathan Fielder—renowned respectively for documentary and comedic work—secured extraordinary access to Holmes’s private moments by, reportedly, having Fielder reside in the couple’s guesthouse during filming. This arrangement allowed the filmmakers to capture unusually open interviews and unscripted moments. Additionally, the film’s profile is raised by the participation of a prominent actress whose identity is being kept secret for now.
The documentary is set to see a general release in October, distributed by A24.
Continuing Legal Drama
Holmes’s legal situation has persisted even after she entered prison. In February last year, courts rejected her latest appeals to overturn her conviction or lessen her sentence. Following these legal setbacks, she requested a presidential pardon from Donald Trump. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the status of this clemency petition is still listed as pending, indicating it is under ongoing consideration.
Excitement Builds Following the Festival
This surprise unveiling has generated considerable excitement among both viewers and film industry observers, thanks to its striking access and the notoriety of its subject. Rather than a routine screening, those in attendance became the first to view new, intimate angles on one of Silicon Valley’s most infamous personalities.
Further details—including the role of the well-known actress featured—are being held back until the wide release. Nevertheless, with A24 bringing it to audiences and acclaimed directors at the helm, “You Can See Everything” is positioned as a major event among this year’s anticipated documentaries.