Theranos Founder's Final 35 Days Draw Wide Theatrical Release
A new documentary follows Elizabeth Holmes and her partner in a San Diego cabin as she prepares for prison, featuring a distinct observational style from director Nathan Fielder.
By Rafael Collins ·
Moviegoers in the Inland Empire can now watch a new documentary about Elizabeth Holmes in local theaters. The film, titled You Can See Everything, captures the final 35 days before Holmes surrendered to prison. It is currently showing wide across the region.
The documentary follows Holmes and her partner, Billy Evans, in a beachfront cabin in San Diego. Holmes was found guilty of defrauding investors and sentenced to 11 years in prison for her role at Theranos. The company had promised it could test patients for various ailments using a single drop of blood. Two children born during this period delayed her surrender date.
Nathan Fielder co-directed the film with Lance Oppenheim. Fielder is a comedian known for his work in satirical reality television. Oppenheim previously directed the narrative feature Prime Time. The film distinguishes itself from standard documentaries by avoiding traditional sit-down interviews intercut with B-roll. Instead, the camera observes the family in real time as they prepare for Holmes' incarceration.
Fielder appears in the footage, initially only in silhouette. He maintains a dry and understated demeanor throughout the interactions. In one scene, he asks Holmes if she has ever lied. Holmes appears shocked by the question and states she cannot imagine ever doing such a thing. Her answers to direct inquiries are indirect, leaving both Fielder and the audience uncertain about the truth.
The film suggests that Holmes and Evans still believe in the vision of Theranos. They remain engaged in active business pursuits, described in the review as a state of perpetual entrepreneurship. The review notes that this behavior reflects a modern cultural pattern of self-styled altruists who claim a higher purpose while operating in Silicon Valley.
Amanda Seyfried, who starred in the Hulu miniseries The Dropout, also appears in the film. She joins Fielder in an effort to determine if Holmes is telling the truth or performing a role. Both agree that Evans is suspicious. The core question the film poses is whether Holmes believes her own statements or the persona she has created.
The review compares Fielder's approach to the work of Andy Kaufman and Hunter S. Thompson. It notes that Fielder commits fully to his performance, similar to Kaufman, and inserts himself into the story to affect the outcome, similar to Thompson. This method breaks from the typical documentary format of offering a passive window into events.
The film relies on close-up camerawork to draw viewers into the narrative. The reviewer states that the scope of the conversations is best suited for a large screen. The film is available for viewing in theaters throughout the Inland Empire.
