Naked, Crying, and Denying: Inside the Controversial Holmes Documentary

Key points

• The documentary 'You Can See Everything,' co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, opens in US theaters on October 16, 2026.
• The film documents Elizabeth Holmes and her partner Billy Evans in their San Diego home during the 34 days leading up to her federal prison sentence in 2023.
• Billy Evans, the father of Holmes's two children and CEO of Haemanthus, appears in a full-frontal nude shower scene in the film.
• Holmes is shown crying while watching Amanda Seyfried's portrayal of her in the Hulu series 'The Dropout,' specifically a scene involving advice from Larry Ellison.
• Holmes maintains her innocence, telling Fielder she has never told a lie, though she later concedes to 'white lies' to avoid social plans.
• The filmmakers discovered their guest house lacked basic amenities, leading them to suspect they were being bugged.

Background

Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, was convicted in 2022 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and three counts of wire fraud, resulting in an 11-year prison sentence. She has consistently maintained that she never lied about her company's blood-testing technology. The new documentary, 'You Can See Everything,' has been widely covered in the media, with critics praising its psychological depth and meta-commentary on truth and deception. The film has also sparked controversy, including a threatened legal action from Melania Trump and a breakdown in communication between the filmmakers and the subjects.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post focuses on the more sensational aspects of the documentary, highlighting the full-frontal nude scene of Billy Evans and Holmes's emotional breakdown. The Washington Post critic Monica Hesse describes the film as a 'brain-breaking' experience, emphasizing the pregame rituals and the intense focus of the audience. The Atlantic's David Sims frames the documentary as a 'bold feat of cinema,' comparing Holmes's behavior to Steve Jobs's 'reality distortion field' and exploring the psychological tension of her unblinking confidence. The New York Post and The Atlantic both note the filmmakers' suspicion that they were being bugged, while The Washington Post highlights the film's 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and the audience's intense engagement.

Why it matters

The documentary 'You Can See Everything' offers a rare, unfiltered look at Elizabeth Holmes in the final days before her prison sentence, providing insights into her psychology and her continued denial of fraud. The film's critical acclaim and Oscar speculation highlight its significance in the documentary genre, while the controversy surrounding its release, including a threatened legal action from Melania Trump, underscores the ongoing public fascination with Holmes and the Theranos scandal.

What to watch

The documentary 'You Can See Everything' is expected to continue generating buzz and critical discussion in the coming weeks. The film's potential for an Oscar nomination will be a key point of interest, as will any further legal actions or public responses to its release. The filmmakers' experiences and the film's impact on the public's understanding of Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scandal will likely be subjects of ongoing media coverage.