Nathan Fielder’s Documentary ‘You Can See Everything’ Offers a Complex Look at Elizabeth Holmes’ Story

At the Telluride Film Festival, an unannounced documentary titled "You Can See Everything" premiered, drawing significant attention due to its subject: Elizabeth Holmes, the former Theranos CEO now serving an 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors. Co-directed by comedian Nathan Fielder, the 174-minute film offers an unusual blend of reality TV and documentary, exploring Holmes’ personality and motivations rather than focusing solely on her guilt. Holmes, once celebrated as America’s youngest self-made female billionaire, built her reputation on a blood-testing technology that was later revealed to be fraudulent. The documentary captures the final weeks before she began her prison sentence, filming her at her home in Del Mar with her partner and children. Fielder’s approach is observational and conversational, aiming to understand Holmes’ perspective. Throughout the film, Holmes maintains that her device worked and that the issues were minor technical problems yet to be solved. She insists she never lied, presenting a version of reality that conflicts with the established facts. Fielder’s interviews reveal a complex figure whose conviction in her narrative borders on delusion. The documentary also features actor Amanda Seyfried, who portrayed Holmes in the Hulu miniseries "The Dropout." Seyfried participates by reading transcripts and embodying Holmes’ persona, adding a meta-theatrical layer to the film. This technique highlights the interplay between reality, performance, and perception. Holmes’ partner, Ramesh "Sunny" Balwani, also appears, revealing his controlling influence over Holmes’ image and the ongoing management of her public persona. The film does not excuse Holmes’ actions but instead probes the psychological and social dynamics behind her story. "You Can See Everything" challenges viewers to consider what drives individuals like Holmes and the broader implications of deception and ambition in the tech and business world. By blending documentary filmmaking with elements of performance and satire, Fielder offers a distinctive and thought-provoking portrait of a high-profile scandal.