**Documentary ‘You Can See Everything’ Aims for Historic Oscar Recognition**
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The Academy Awards have long been a stage that celebrates cinematic achievements, yet one category remains elusive to documentaries: Best Picture. However, Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim’s latest project, “You Can See Everything,” is set to challenge this status quo, potentially paving the way for a documentary to receive its first-ever nomination in this prestigious category at the upcoming 2027 Oscars.
The film, which delves into the life of Elizabeth Holmes, founder of the notorious blood-testing company Theranos, presents a unique premise that may resonate with audiences and critics alike. The documentary chronicles a 34-day period that Fielder spent with Holmes and her partner, Billy Evans, shortly before Holmes began her 11-year prison sentence in May 2023. This intimate exploration of Holmes’s life, presented in a distinctly engaging manner, is gaining traction, earning over £35 million at the domestic box office within just two weeks of its release.
Adding to the film’s intrigue is the involvement of A-list actress Amanda Seyfried, who portrays Holmes in a series of re-enacted scenes while appearing as herself. Seyfried’s dual role could strengthen the film’s position in awards contention, with A24, the distribution company, reportedly planning a campaign for her to be nominated for Best Supporting Actress. If successful, this could mark a significant first in Oscar history, as no documentary has previously received an acting nomination.
The Academy’s guidelines do not explicitly prevent performances in documentaries from being considered for awards, creating a potentially groundbreaking scenario. Seyfried, having already received accolades for her portrayal of Holmes in the 2022 Hulu miniseries, “The Dropout,” is no stranger to award buzz. Her history includes both an Emmy and a Golden Globe, along with an Oscar nomination for her role in “Mank.”
As the awards season approaches, the film’s chances look promising, with “You Can See Everything” currently ranked eighth in Gold Derby’s predictions for Best Picture. The Oscars can nominate up to ten films, and strong word of mouth surrounding the documentary seems to be building momentum. Seyfried is also positioned sixth among likely nominees for Best Supporting Actress, suggesting that her performance is being recognised in what is shaping up to be a competitive field.
A24 is ambitiously positioning the film for a variety of awards categories, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Cinematography among others. The studio has even begun holding screenings for members of the Academy’s documentary branch, indicating a proactive engagement with award voters.
Moreover, Fielder himself may have potential for an acting nomination based on his appearances in the film, although reports suggest he does not plan to pursue this path. Christopher Abbott, who plays Evans in the re-enacted sequences, could also emerge as a contender for Best Supporting Actor. This breadth of potential nominations speaks to the multifaceted achievements of “You Can See Everything.”
The film’s reception has sparked discussions not just about Holmes and her controversial legacy, but also about the boundaries between documentary and narrative storytelling. This novel approach allows “You Can See Everything” to stand out from typical contenders at Hollywood’s biggest awards.
In an interesting comparison, Variety has drawn parallels between Seyfried’s situation and that of Maria Bakalova, who received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her work in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”—a project blending fictional narrative elements with reality. Bakalova’s nomination raised questions about the definitions of documentary and performance, and Seyfried may find herself navigating similar waters.
“You Can See Everything” is currently screening in theatres and could indeed become a milestone for the Academy if it follows through on its award aspirations. With the 2027 Oscars on the horizon, viewers and enthusiasts alike will be watching closely to see if this documentary breaks new ground in cinematic history.