Historic Access to Holmes’ Life

The documentary, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, provides a unique look into Holmes’ life, including her home in San Diego with boyfriend Billy Evans, just before she entered prison in Bryan, TX.

The film was shot in 2023 in top secrecy and premiered at the Telluride Film Festival with attendees’ devices locked away in a special screening.

Elizabeth Holmes, who was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2022 for defrauding investors, gave a rare interview and allowed the crew into her home, stating “you can see everything.”

The documentary, which runs nearly 3 hours, is unlike any other in terms of pure access, according to reviewers.

Behind the Scenes of the Film

Fielder, known for his work on The Rehearsal, takes a starring role as a dogged interviewer, uncovering one zinger after another; the film’s approach was described as unique and very different from previous adaptations of Holmes’ story.

The film was originally pitched to A24, with the filmmakers told they could toss the project in the garbage can if it didn’t work out.

Fielder immerses himself in this world, gaining Holmes’ trust to the point where she invited him on her last drive to prison — the film’s second half begins with her incarceration and continues with surprising twists.

The filmmakers also question whether Holmes is the inveterate liar people believe her to be, and whether the pair made a covert deal with A24 for financial gain.

Controversial Reactions and Themes

Holmes maintains her innocence, denying she ever lied, or that her Theranos experiment was anything but legitimate, but her parents, including her father who once worked for Enron, are also featured in the film.

Fielder and Oppenheim challenge Holmes and Billy in various scenes, including one where they show Abbott & Costello’s classic routine “Who’s On First” to elicit her bizarre interpretation.

In one scene, Fielder watches the Hulu limited series Dropout, where Amanda Seyfried plays Holmes, and asks if any of it ever happened. Holmes’ reaction is described as priceless.

The film ends with Fielder expressing his own bafflement at the experience, stating, “What I am really excited about is for you to see the movie and tell me what I experienced.”

Producers Tatiana Bears and Maggie Ambrose, along with cinematographer David Bolen, are credited for their work on the film.