4 Must-Watch Documentaries and Specials About Elizabeth Holmes’ Theranos Scandal

**The Continued Fascination with Elizabeth Holmes: Documentaries, Investigations, and Insights**

Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, remains a figure of public intrigue even years after her conviction for fraud. Recent years have seen a surge of interest in her story, exemplified by an array of documentaries, podcasts, and scripted series that delve into her dramatic rise and fall. Noteworthy titles like Nathan Fielder’s *You Can See Everything* and a segment from *60 Minutes* have played significant roles in examining the complexities of her case and the ramifications of her actions.

One such exploration, *60 Minutes*, aired a compelling report featuring Tyler Shultz, a whistleblower who worked at Theranos. His appearance marked his first televised interview, where he recounted using an alias to inform authorities of the company’s misleading practices, motivated by concerns for both legal repercussions and ethical responsibilities. This segment, which aired nearly three years after the pivotal *Wall Street Journal* exposé in 2015, not only highlighted the flaws in Theranos’s blood-testing technology but also signalled a shift in public perception regarding Holmes and her once-glorified enterprise.

In 2019, documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney released *The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley*, which further scrutinised the culture of Silicon Valley that allowed Holmes to flourish. The film presents a narrative that goes beyond Holmes, attributing her rise to broader systemic issues within the tech industry where overpromising often blurs the lines of accountability. In interviews, Gibney pointed out that many in Silicon Valley operate under the mantra of “fake it ‘til you make it,” suggesting that Holmes was part of a larger trend that included both aspirational innovation and moral ambiguity. Although Holmes declined to participate in the documentary, her story is woven through archival footage and interviews with former employees.

ABC News correspondent Rebecca Jarvis took a comprehensive approach to the Theranos saga through her podcast *The Dropout*, which meticulously documented Holmes’s deception of investors, employees, and patients alike. Following the podcast’s success, Jarvis produced a two-hour documentary under the same title, shedding light on the operational methodologies that led to the downfall of the company. In 2022, she revisited the story in a special that focused on the judicial proceedings surrounding Holmes, summing up a saga that has captivated audiences and spurred discussions about ethics in business.

Furthermore, the actress Amanda Seyfried gained critical acclaim for her portrayal of Holmes in the Hulu series *The Dropout*. Seyfried’s portrayal not only won her an Emmy and a Golden Globe but also brought renewed attention to the Theranos story. Interestingly, she later appeared in *You Can See Everything*, engaging in reenactments of pivotal conversations with Holmes, providing a unique layer to the narrative by allowing her to interact with the actual protagonist post-conviction.

*You Can See Everything*, directed by Nathan Fielder in collaboration with Lance Oppenheim, offers a fresh perspective by featuring original interviews with Holmes. The documentary chronicles the final 34 days of her life before incarceration, a time that was spent in the company of her partner, Billy Evans, and their young children. This intimate look offers insight into Holmes’s state of mind as she approached her sentence for the fraud committed through Theranos. Fielder expressed his own uncertainties about the motivations behind Holmes’s willingness to share this period of her life with the filmmakers, prompting a deeper inquiry into the nature of her decision-making during her time of crisis.

The relationship dynamics between Fielder and Evans also emerged as a significant aspect of the documentary. Fielder noted that amidst the unfolding events, there were moments of contention as Evans reportedly attempted to steer the narrative being created. The complexity of this relationship underscores not just Holmes’s personal narrative but also the broader implications of maintaining control in a public relations crisis.

Despite the critical and commercial success of these projects—notably, *You Can See Everything* delivered an impressive $15 million opening weekend, making it one of the most lucrative non-music documentaries in over twenty years—the conversation surrounding Holmes is far from over. This continuous public fascination reveals a societal yearning to grasp the nuances of ambition, ethics, and accountability in the fast-paced world of tech startups.

As Holmes’s story is further examined through various media lenses, the resultant discussions serve as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of unchecked ambition and the consequences of deception in the pursuit of success. The Theranos saga may have begun as a story of innovation, but it has evolved into a broader narrative, encompassing themes of integrity, accountability, and the blurred lines within the technology sector.