Summary
Overview
In this episode of The Daily, film critics Alyssa Wilkinson and Jason Zinoman discuss Nathan Fielder's documentary 'You Can See Everything' about Elizabeth Holmes. They explore how Fielder's unique approach to documentary filmmaking—blurring reality and fiction, inserting himself into situations, and questioning the ethics of manipulation—creates a groundbreaking film that challenges viewers' perceptions of both Holmes and the documentary form itself.
The Phenomenon of 'You Can See Everything'
The documentary about Elizabeth Holmes has become a cultural sensation despite being a three-hour film in a genre that typically doesn't generate massive buzz. Critics Alyssa Wilkinson and Jason Zinoman explain that the film lives up to its hype through its unprecedented approach and the unique pairing of Nathan Fielder with Elizabeth Holmes. Both critics found themselves unable to stop thinking about the film, with their opinions shifting and evolving after viewing.
- The documentary is selling out everywhere and has sparked conversations among strangers on public transit
- Alyssa Wilkinson expects the film to lodge itself among the greatest documentaries and believes it's about documentary itself, not just its subject
- The film has staying power as a 'discourse object' that will generate discussion long after its release
" I think this film is not just about what it's about, but it's about documentary, too. And that, I think, is an extra level that really makes it stand out in the field of many, many, many documentaries that come out every year. "
" It's got the juice. It's got legs. "
Elizabeth Holmes: A Story Already Told
The episode recounts Elizabeth Holmes's rise and fall as the founder of blood-testing company Theranos. Despite being valued at $10 billion and making Holmes the world's youngest female self-made billionaire, the company collapsed when journalist John Carreyrou revealed the technology didn't work. Holmes was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2022, but her story has already been told through multiple podcasts, documentaries, and dramatizations.
- Holmes founded Theranos with the promise of running extensive medical tests from a pinprick of blood
- She became the world's youngest female self-made billionaire before the fraud was exposed
- Previous tellings include the Bad Blood podcast, HBO's 'The Inventor' documentary, and Hulu's 'The Dropout' miniseries
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