Nathan Fielder Elizabeth Holmes doc review
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The gist
Comedian Nathan Fielder co-directed a documentary on Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, released by A24 in October 2026.
Reviewers split on whether the film seeks truth or is itself a stunt.
Background
Elizabeth Holmes is the former founder and CEO of Theranos, the blood-testing startup; she was convicted on three counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and began an 11-year prison sentence in 2023. Nathan Fielder is a comedian and co-director known for satirical comedy such as 'Nathan for You' (2013-2017); he made the film with co-director Lance Oppenheim, known for 'Primetime'. The documentary, 'You Can See Everything', follows Holmes, her partner Billy Evans and their two children in a rented beach house in Del Mar, California in the weeks before she reported to prison. It drew attention after a surprise, secret, phone-free premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.
How it unfolded
- 2023Holmes began an 11-year prison sentence.
- Sep 7, 2026'You Can See Everything' premiered at Telluride in a surprise, secret, phone-free screening.
- Oct 2026The film was released, distributed by A24.
- Oct 28, 2026Reviews were published in New Scientist and Seven Days.
- Oct 29, 2026Commentator Ben Shapiro posted a review video titled 'What Everyone Got Wrong About the Elizabeth Holmes "Documentary"'.
- Oct 30, 2026Truthdig published a review calling the film 'Critic Bait of the Year'.
- Nov 3, 2026A Catholic Times review was published; a Reddit post cited a WIRED interview with Fielder.
- Nov 20, 2026The film's UK release date.
Key terms
- wire fraud
- A U.S. federal crime of using electronic communications to defraud someone, especially across state or international borders.
- Telluride Film Festival
- An annual film festival held in Telluride, Colorado, over Labor Day weekend in early September.
- A24
- An American independent entertainment company that produces and distributes arthouse films and television.
Source: Wikipedia
Who’s saying what
- Caution
- New Scientist's reviewer said Fielder 'seems more concerned with entertainment than truth-seeking' and that Holmes 'cracks him'.
- Critics
- Truthdig's reviewer said the film loses them 'both on an ethical level but also in terms of pure enjoyment' after Holmes reports to prison, calling it 'Critic Bait of the Year'.
- Commentator
- Ben Shapiro said the film is 'basically an elaborate scam' and 'kind of a gigantic meta prank,' with Fielder as its big beneficiary.
- Party
- Holmes insists she has never told a lie in her adult life and tells Fielder she has nothing to hide and that he can see everything.
Still unverified
Whether Holmes sincerely believes she did nothing wrong or is a master-manipulator who got caught committing fraud is posed as the film's open question; critics also declined to disclose what happens in the film's second half, citing spoilers.