A new documentary titled *You Can See Everything* shines a revealing light on Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of the infamous health tech company Theranos, and her partner, Billy Evans. Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, the film provides a relatively intimate look at Holmes’s private life in the lead-up to her federal prison sentence, which began in May 2023. The nearly three-hour documentary had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on 6 September, making its way to the New York Film Festival on 30 September, before hitting theatres on 16 October.
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This documentary offers viewers an extraordinary glimpse into Holmes’s life just weeks before her imprisonment, showcasing her relationship with Evans and their two young children at their beachfront home in California. Interestingly, the filmmakers were invited to stay in the couple’s guest house during production, a decision that led to their involvement in the couple’s daily life. Despite initial hesitations, Fielder and Oppenheim accepted the invitation, only to find their living arrangements quite bare—initially lacking essential comforts such as mattresses.
Over time, a sense of unease began to emerge within the crew. During a recent Q&A session following a screening, Oppenheim disclosed that he and Fielder grew increasingly suspicious that they might have been the subject of hidden surveillance in their own guest quarters. This sense of paranoia added a level of intrigue, akin to a conspiracy thriller unfolding in real-time, illustrating the strange and often uncomfortable atmosphere in which the documentary was crafted.

As the narrative unfolds, it takes unexpected and disturbing turns. In one of the more shocking moments captured on film, Billy Evans is shown showering in the nude, showcasing a side of his character that viewers might not anticipate. In a conversation regarding her past, Holmes makes the astonishing claim that she has never consciously told a lie in her life, a statement that leaves Fielder visibly dumbfounded. Upon further questioning, she concedes to have likely told “white lies” in social situations, revealing an added layer of complexity to her character.

The documentary also features an emotionally charged moment when Holmes watches Amanda Seyfried portray her in the Hulu series *The Dropout* for the first time. As the couple watches a particularly intense scene, Holmes is overcome with emotion and requests to pause the show. This moment of vulnerability reveals the weight of the public scrutiny Holmes has faced, as well as her complex feelings towards her past.
Adding to the surreal nature of the documentary, Seyfried eventually joins the project, making a mid-film appearance. In a particularly meta twist, she watches footage of Holmes reacting to her portrayal while simultaneously reflecting on the nuances of Holmes’s character and decisions. Seyfried’s insights delve deep into the psyche of the disgraced entrepreneur, portraying a blend of sympathy and misunderstanding regarding Holmes’s actions.
The complexities of the film’s production are further magnified by the financial discussions that arise between Evans and the filmmakers. Allegations surfaced that Evans sought to negotiate a share of the documentary’s profits, leading to an awkward reenactment of the meeting in which this proposition was presented. However, it is revealed by the end of the documentary that he ultimately decided not to pursue a share of the earnings.
The dynamics between Evans and Seyfried take centre stage during a tense dinner scene, where they clash over a myriad of topics, including Evans’s admiration for controversial political figures. This confrontation not only exposes the friction surrounding the film’s production but also reflects the difficulties in their understanding of each other’s perspectives regarding Holmes, Evans, and the public narrative attached to them.
In a moment of revelation, Evans admits to managing Holmes’s X account while she serves her prison sentence, asserting that he often posts content without her prior knowledge or approval. This revelation leaves Seyfried visibly shocked, showcasing the complicated layers of their relationship and the ongoing impact of Holmes’s high-profile fall from grace.
As *You Can See Everything* prepares for its theatrical release, it promises a mix of intimacy, controversy, and unexpected twists that underline the complexities of Holmes’s life and the ramifications of her actions. The documentary serves not only as a portrait of a woman facing the consequences of her past but also as a reflective commentary on the nature of truth, deceit, and the human experience amidst turmoil. As intrigue swirls around the film, audiences are left to grapple with the myriad revelations that challenge perceptions of one of Silicon Valley’s most infamous figures.
