Key Moments
we need to talk about the Elizabeth Holmes doc (unfiltered review)
My First MillionKey Moments
Nathan Fielder's documentary about Elizabeth Holmes is a critical success, but leaves viewers more confused about her true nature than ever before.
Key Insights
The documentary "You Can't See Anything" focuses on the 34 days leading up to Elizabeth Holmes' prison sentence, following her life with her two young children and fiancé.
Despite being accused of defrauding investors out of approximately $500 million, Elizabeth Holmes maintains she never lied and is confused about why she is going to prison.
The film highlights Billy, Holmes' fiancé, as a controlling figure who appears to be the mastermind behind their attempt to secure a share of the documentary's profits.
Nathan Fielder employs a unique filmmaking style, using extreme close-ups and recreating scenes to explore complex social dynamics and the nature of truth.
The documentary deliberately blurs lines, leaving the audience to question whether Holmes is a victim, a manipulator, or both, and whether the media or other individuals are equally culpable.
Fielder's production budget for the documentary was reportedly between $5-7 million, with only about 30 people aware of the project's full scope during its secretive production.
Nathan Fielder's experimental approach to documentary filmmaking
The documentary "You Can't See Anything" by Nathan Fielder delves into the life of Elizabeth Holmes in the 34 days before her incarceration. Fielder himself moves in with Holmes and her fiancé, Billy, for this period and continues to follow their story for three years. The film's critical acclaim is exceptional, with top ratings across major platforms, and it's noted as the first documentary nominated for Best Picture. Fielder's artistic approach is characterized by extreme close-ups, creating an intense intimacy with Holmes, making the audience feel they can 'see everything.' Despite this proximity and her direct gaze, the film leaves viewers with a profound sense of confusion about her true character and motivations. This intentional ambiguity is a hallmark of Fielder's work, famously demonstrated in shows like "Nathan for You" and "The Rehearsal," where he blurs the lines between reality and performance, and serious inquiry and absurdity. His unique style is so compelling that Nolan, the director of "Oppenheimer," has praised Fielder as a masterful storyteller, recognizing his depth beyond mere prankster.
Elizabeth Holmes' unwavering denial and the film's central questions
Central to the narrative is Holmes' persistent denial of wrongdoing. When directly confronted about her claims regarding Theranos's blood-testing technology, she maintains that the machine "could" perform any test, even if not immediately capable. She insists she "never lied," framing her statements as future potential rather than current fact, a distinction Fielder's questioning highlights as deliberately evasive. The film probes whether Holmes is a misunderstood idealist, a brilliant manipulator, or someone who genuinely believes her own fabricated reality. Her statements, such as "I believe in what I said," even when presented with contradictory evidence, underscore her commitment to her narrative. The film presents a compelling case for her potential self-deception or an extraordinary ability to construct a false reality, making it difficult for the audience to ascertain the truth. This ambiguity is the core of the film's tension, as viewers grapple with the possibility that they, too, are being drawn into her carefully constructed world.
The perplexing role of Billy, Holmes' fiancé
Billy, Holmes' fiancé, emerges as a significant, albeit enigmatic, figure. Initially, he appears to be the driving force behind the documentary project, initiating contact with A24 and advocating for a share of the profits. His controlling nature is evident in scenes like the one where he takes over egg-whisking from Holmes, implying she isn't doing it correctly. This dynamic leads to questions about who holds the power in their relationship. The film draws parallels between Holmes' relationship with Billy and her past relationship with Sunny Balwani, suggesting a pattern of potentially exploitative dynamics. The filmmakers even go as far as to create an AI version of Holmes to speak for her after her incarceration, with Billy dictating what the AI should say, further blurring the lines of authenticity and control. Billy's insistence on a profit share, despite Holmes' purported disinterest in wealth, raises ethical questions about their motives. His assertion that he "knows her soul" and that they are "one entity" highlights a disturbing codependency and potential manipulation.
Fielder's distinctive filmmaking techniques
Fielder's signature use of extreme close-ups and meticulous scene recreations is central to the documentary's impact. By bringing the camera incredibly close to Holmes' face, he creates an almost unbearable intimacy, forcing viewers to confront her unblinking gaze. When Holmes is incarcerated and inaccessible, Fielder ingeniously employs Amanda Seyfried, who played Holmes in the Hulu series "The Dropout," to act out scenes from the documentary's first half. This 'inception'-like meta-layer allows the audience to see their own reactions mirrored in Seyfried's, further emphasizing the film's exploration of perception and truth. Fielder's dedication to realism is also evident in his re-creation of the prison environment for Seyfried to interact with, demonstrating an almost absurd level of detail to capture the essence of a situation he cannot directly film.
Ethical ambiguities and the "everyone is guilty" narrative
The documentary suggests a pervasive sense of guilt, implicating various parties. While Holmes is the central figure, the film hints at the culpability of Billy, the media for sensationalizing her story, and even the filmmakers themselves for manipulating reality. The inclusion of a scene where Billy makes a disturbing threat of revenge against those he perceives as enemies, and a later scene where Holmes seems to defend them, highlights a complex web of flawed individuals. The revelation of Billy's explicit encounter in a bathroom, a scene seemingly included for shock value and to question his character, adds another layer to the narrative. Fielder himself is not immune, as actors question if he too has fallen under Holmes' spell. This deliberate obfuscation of who is to blame leaves the audience in a state of perpetual uncertainty, questioning the very nature of truth and deception.
The 'play it until you make it' ethos in Silicon Valley
One interpretation offered is that Holmes' actions embody the Silicon Valley 'fake it 'til you make it' mentality, amplified by the high stakes of the healthcare industry. This perspective casts her as an overly optimistic entrepreneur, akin to Elon Musk's ambitious pronouncements, rather than a deliberate fraudster. However, the counter-narrative is that she knowingly and intentionally deceived investors and patients, a view supported by her testimony under oath. She admitted to adding Pfizer's logo to documents submitted to Walgreens, falsely implying their endorsement. The film also presents evidence of staged investor demonstrations and the fact that only 12 out of 300 promised tests were functional on Theranos's own equipment. This dichotomy between aspirational entrepreneurship and outright fraud lies at the heart of the debate the documentary provokes.
The film's surprising emotional impact and lingering questions
Despite its intellectual complexities, the documentary evokes a powerful emotional response. The scene showing Holmes preparing to go to prison, showing her leaving milk in the fridge for her infant son and breaking down over not being able to breastfeed him, is particularly poignant. The inclusion of her parents and the unsettling gift from Fielder—a wig, sunglasses, and hair dye—as a "getaway" kit, underscores the surreal and tragic nature of her situation. The film leaves the audience feeling a mix of pity, confusion, and perhaps even a grudging admiration for Holmes's sheer audacity. The lingering question for many viewers, and a key takeaway from Fielder's work, is how such a seemingly ordinary person could engage in such extraordinary deception, and how easily reality can be manipulated.
Audience reception and the filmmakers' lasting impact
The documentary is widely regarded as a masterpiece, with many calling it the best film they've ever seen. The audience's desire for post-viewing discussion is so strong that viewers seek out podcasts and online forums to dissect the film's layers. Fielder himself is seen as the biggest winner, transitioning from a niche cult figure to a mainstream phenomenon. A24 also benefits from another critical and commercial success. The film's controversial portrayal of Billy and its deep dive into the complexities of Holmes's life have sparked intense debate, solidifying its place as a significant cultural talking point. The film's success is attributed to Fielder's unique ability to create compelling narratives that challenge viewers' perceptions and leave them with more questions than answers.
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Common Questions
The documentary focuses on the 34 days leading up to Elizabeth Holmes's prison sentence, exploring her life with her two young children and partner after her conviction.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
The creator of the documentary 'Could See Everything', known for his unique and unconventional filmmaking style.
The subject of the documentary, founder of Theranos, who is discussed in relation to her trial and impending prison sentence.
Mentioned as a point of comparison for Nathan Fielder's style, suggesting Fielder can be absurd and satirical.
A notorious lawyer from New York City whose 'six rules' for power and manipulation are discussed.
Mentioned in relation to Roy Cohn, as someone who learned about power from him.
Mentioned as an example of a visionary entrepreneur whose claims about self-driving cars are not necessarily seen as fraudulent.
The actress who played Elizabeth Holmes in 'The Dropout', and whose reaction is shown in the documentary.
Elizabeth Holmes's former romantic partner and president of Theranos, suggested as a potential manipulator.
Mentioned as having conducted a Q&A session with Billy after the documentary's release.
The title of the documentary discussed in the video, focusing on Elizabeth Holmes's life before prison.
A previous show by Nathan Fielder, mentioned as part of his artistic style.
Another show by Nathan Fielder, mentioned as part of his artistic style.
A film by Christopher Nolan, mistakenly referenced as 'Nolan' by one of the speakers.
A fictional TV series about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos, which is shown being watched by Holmes in the documentary.
A platform where the documentary received high ratings.
A platform where the documentary received high ratings.
An AI tool consulted by a speaker to identify the strongest evidence of Elizabeth Holmes's fraud.
The streaming platform that aired 'The Dropout', a fictional series about Elizabeth Holmes.
The film production company that collaborated with Nathan Fielder on the documentary.
Mentioned as the company that helped revive and improve a database created by the speaker.
The name of the machine developed by Theranos that was supposed to revolutionize blood testing.
A retail pharmacy chain mentioned as a partner for Theranos's blood testing services.
A pharmaceutical company whose logo Elizabeth Holmes allegedly added to documents to mislead Walgreens.
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