Holmes's New Documentary Reignites Debate Over Theranos's Legacy

Key points

• Nathan Fielder's 'You Can See Everything' has become a box office hit, drawing attention to Elizabeth Holmes's final days before her 11-year prison sentence.
• The film contrasts with Alex Gibney's 2019 documentary 'The Inventor,' which focused on Holmes's intense leadership and the rise of Theranos.
• Whistleblower Tyler Shultz criticizes 'You Can See Everything' for omitting key facts about the fraud, such as the use of a non-functional prototype.
• WIRED has reflected on its 2014 coverage of Holmes, acknowledging that its early enthusiasm may have contributed to the hype cycle that allowed Theranos to flourish.
• The new documentary has sparked a broader debate about the role of media in enabling tech fraud and the importance of skepticism in reporting.

Background

The release of Nathan Fielder's 'You Can See Everything' has reignited interest in the Theranos scandal, which was previously covered by Alex Gibney's 2019 documentary 'The Inventor' and the Hulu series 'The Dropout.' The new film has prompted a re-evaluation of earlier media coverage, including WIRED's 2014 Q&A with Holmes, which may have contributed to the hype cycle that allowed Theranos to flourish.

How outlets are covering it

Los Angeles Times emphasizes the contrast between 'You Can See Everything' and 'The Inventor,' noting that the new film focuses on Holmes's domestic life and denial of guilt, while the older documentary highlights her intense leadership and the rise of Theranos. The Ringer focuses on the broader implications of the new film, noting that it has sparked a debate about the role of media in enabling tech fraud. WIRED reflects on its 2014 coverage of Holmes, acknowledging that its early enthusiasm may have contributed to the hype cycle that allowed Theranos to flourish. Whistleblower Tyler Shultz criticizes 'You Can See Everything' for omitting key facts about the fraud, such as the use of a non-functional prototype.

Why it matters

The release of Nathan Fielder's 'You Can See Everything' has sparked a broader debate about the role of media in enabling tech fraud and the importance of skepticism in reporting. The film has prompted a re-evaluation of earlier media coverage, including WIRED's 2014 Q&A with Holmes, which may have contributed to the hype cycle that allowed Theranos to flourish. The new documentary has also drawn criticism from whistleblowers for obscuring key facts about the fraud, highlighting the importance of accuracy in reporting.

What to watch

The release of 'You Can See Everything' is likely to continue sparking debate about the role of media in enabling tech fraud and the importance of skepticism in reporting. The film may also prompt a re-evaluation of other media coverage of tech scandals, as well as a broader discussion about the ethics of reporting on controversial figures. The film's box office success suggests that there is a significant public interest in the story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, which may continue to drive media coverage and public debate in the coming months.