Fielder’s Holmes Doc Hits 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, Climbs Oscar Race

Key points

• The documentary 'You Can See Everything' received a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 97 Metacritic score, described by critics as the 'movie of the year.'
• The film documents Elizabeth Holmes’s final 34 days before her prison sentence, featuring a mid-film twist that complicates the narrative of truth and deception.
• Gold Derby ranks the film at No. 16 in Best Picture odds, with a 11.9% chance of winning, behind titles like 'The Odyssey' and 'La Bola Negra.'
• Critics praise the film’s cinematic style and psychological complexity, though some note the relationship between the filmmakers and Holmes/Evans has broken down.
• The film was filmed over 34 days in Holmes’s San Diego home with a seven-person crew and multi-camera setup, resulting in a three-hour runtime.

Background

The documentary 'You Can See Everything' premiered at the New York Film Festival and is set for a wide release on October 16. It follows Elizabeth Holmes, the convicted founder of Theranos, in her final days before an 11-year prison sentence. The film has been compared to Robert Bresson’s 'Pickpocket' and is noted for its meta-narrative structure, which questions the reliability of truth in documentary filmmaking. Previous coverage noted that the filmmakers and subjects have not seen the finished product, leading to a complete breakdown in communication.

How outlets are covering it

The Independent highlights the film’s perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and its status as a 'masterpiece.' The New Yorker’s Richard Brody emphasizes the film’s 'vertiginous revelations' and its exploration of manipulation and sincerity, noting that Fielder’s confrontational style forces him to reassess his assumptions about Holmes. Gold Derby focuses on the film’s critical acclaim and its climb in Oscar odds, citing quotes from critics like Allison Willmore and Nick Schager who call it 'the film of the year.' Yahoo’s coverage is minimal but confirms the film’s return to the spotlight. The sources generally agree on the film’s quality but differ in emphasis: The Independent and Gold Derby focus on awards and ratings, while The New Yorker delves into the psychological and philosophical implications of the documentary.

Why it matters

The film’s critical success and Oscar buzz highlight the enduring cultural fascination with Elizabeth Holmes and the power of documentary filmmaking to explore complex truths. Its perfect scores and high Metacritic rating suggest it may be a contender for major awards, while its narrative structure challenges traditional documentary conventions. The breakdown in communication between the filmmakers and subjects adds a layer of real-world consequence to the film’s exploration of trust and deception.

What to watch

The film is set for a wide release on October 16. Its performance at the box office and its trajectory in Oscar predictions will be key indicators of its long-term impact. The relationship between Fielder/Oppenheim and Holmes/Evans remains severed, and it is unclear if any further interaction will occur. The film’s mid-film twist and its exploration of truth and deception may continue to generate discussion in film criticism and cultural commentary.