The Age reports the documentary provides context about the crimes for which Holmes was sentenced, making no homework necessary before viewing. Holmes is best known as the founder of Theranos, a health technology startup established in 2003 that claimed it could diagnose illnesses from a few drops of blood. At one point, Theranos was valued at around $US9 billion, and Holmes was recognised by Forbes as America's youngest self-made female billionaire. In 2015, Wall Street Journal investigative reporter John Carreyrou published an article alleging Theranos's blood-testing device was flawed and that the company was using traditional analysers. Further exposés followed. Theranos formally shut down in 2018. Holmes was convicted on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison. She reported to a minimum-security facility in Texas in May 2023, and her sentence has since been reduced by two years and four months. Her official release is set for February 2030. Her former partner and Theranos COO Ramesh 'Sunny' Balwani was convicted on 12 felony counts and sentenced to 13 years. The pair was ordered to pay $US452 million in restitution. Holmes has denied the crimes and accused Balwani of abuse, which he denied. The documentary, titled You Can See Everything, promises intimate access, including moments with Holmes's children, parents and partner. The Age describes the film as a mind-bending experience.
Nathan Fielder's Elizabeth Holmes documentary 'You Can See Everything' hits Australian cinemas
Three-hour documentary offers intimate access, could make Oscars history; more than 20 million people watched the trailer
Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim's documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, You Can See Everything, screens in Australian cinemas from November 12. The three-hour film, which The Age reports could make Oscars history, offers intimate access to Holmes and her family in the weeks before her prison sentence and has had more than 20 million people watch its trailer in the month after it dropped.
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Analysis
Why This Matters
- The documentary could bring renewed scrutiny to the Theranos scandal and its lessons for startup culture.
- Its intimate portrait of Holmes before incarceration offers a rare perspective on a convicted fraudster.
- Potential Oscar attention underscores the public appetite for narratives about tech fraud and accountability.
Background
Elizabeth Holmes founded Theranos in 2003, claiming a revolutionary blood-testing device. The company rose to a $9 billion valuation before being exposed as fraudulent by investigative journalism. Holmes was convicted of defrauding investors and sentenced to 11 years in prison. She reported to prison in May 2023. The documentary was filmed in the weeks before her sentence began.
What to Watch
- The documentary's awards trajectory and box office performance.
- Any new legal developments or appeals related to Holmes's case.
- Cultural conversations around accountability in Silicon Valley following the film's release.
Sources
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedYou Can See Everything is in Australian cinemas from November 12.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “You Can See Everything is in Australian cinemas from November 12.”
- SupportedThe documentary could make Oscars history.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes doco could make Oscars history.”
- SupportedThe documentary is three hours long.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The three-hour documentary offers decent context, particularly around the crimes for which she was sentenced, so no homework is required before settling into a cinema seat.”
- SupportedMore than 20 million people watched the trailer in the month after it dropped.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “more than 20 million people watched the film’s trailer in the month after it dropped”
- SupportedThe film gives intimate access to Holmes and her family in the weeks before her prison sentence begins.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “You Can See Everything takes us into the disgraced Theranos founder’s home, capturing intimate moments shared with her children, parents and partner in the weeks before her prison sentence begins.”
- SupportedThe Age says the film gives enough context about Holmes’s crimes that viewers need no homework before watching.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The three-hour documentary offers decent context, particularly around the crimes for which she was sentenced, so no homework is required before settling into a cinema seat.”
- SupportedTheranos was established in 2003.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Holmes is best known as the founder of Theranos, an American health technology and blood-testing start-up established in 2003.”
- SupportedTheranos claimed it could diagnose illnesses using a few drops of blood.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The company, which at one point was valued at around $US9 ($12.9) billion , claimed it could comprehensively diagnose illnesses using just a few drops of blood via a newly invented device called the “Edison”.”
- SupportedTheranos was valued at around US$9 billion at one point.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The company, which at one point was valued at around $US9 ($12.9) billion , claimed it could comprehensively diagnose illnesses using just a few drops of blood via a newly invented device called the “Edison”.”
- SupportedForbes recognised Holmes as America’s youngest self-made female billionaire.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Holmes became the face of Theranos, with Forbes recognising her in 2014 and 2015 as America’s youngest self-made female billionaire.”
- SupportedIn 2015, John Carreyrou published a Wall Street Journal article alleging Theranos’s device was flawed and the company used traditional analysers.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “The exposé claimed that Theranos’ new blood-testing device was significantly flawed, and alleged the company was using traditional commercial analysers instead of the Edison to gather results.”
- SupportedHolmes was convicted on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to more than 11 years in prison.Sydney Morning Herald - Latest News: “Holmes, meanwhile, was convicted on four felony counts of fraud and conspiracy and was sentenced to more than 11 years in jail.”