A documentary that begins as a behind-the-scenes look at medical-tech fraudster Elizabeth Holmes during her final days before prison sentence has evolved into a metafictional exploration of truth and deception. The film, “You Can See Everything,” follows Holmes—convicted in 2022 for defrauding investors with her blood-testing company Theranos—as she spends time with boyfriend Billy Evans and two children on the San Diego beach. Holmes and Evans enlisted Nathan Fielder, known for his HBO series “Nathan for You” and “The Rehearsal,” to document their lives leading up to her 11-year prison term.
Fielder, collaborating with director Lance Oppenheim, initially aimed to capture Holmes’ perspective on the charges but gradually shifted focus. The documentary becomes a critique of its own nature, revealing that Holmes’ claim of never having lied—despite her sophisticated manipulation tactics—raises questions about her credibility. Holmes defended Theranos by claiming her system worked as advertised, though the actual blood-testing process failed due to rapid coagulation. She was acquitted after sending results from 40 Walgreens stores in Arizona, but investors lost billions. Now serving time in Texas, Holmes remains the subject of Fielder’s investigation into whether she knew her boyfriend negotiated profit participation in the film.
The second half transforms into a film noir, with Fielder questioning Holmes’ mental state and her ability to perceive truth. The documentary suggests Holmes’ ingenuousness and psychological tactics were key to her frauds, including swindling Rupert Murdoch out of $125 million. Critics note that Fielder’s portrayal makes Holmes the enigma rather than the villain, highlighting how her actions continue to influence perceptions long after her conviction.