The Unlikely Collaborator: Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes Documentary Reveals a Troubling Relationship

Nathan Fielder’s surprise documentary about Elizabeth Holmes and her family has sent shockwaves through the documentary world. The film, featuring intimate footage of their lives together, raises more questions than answers about the complex web of relationships that have enabled or facilitated Holmes’ downfall.

Fielder’s decision to collaborate with Holmes and her partner Billy Evans is particularly noteworthy. On one hand, his socially awkward style and penchant for poking fun at modern business make him an intriguing choice to document this eccentric couple. On the other hand, it’s clear that Fielder is still grappling with what he experienced during their time together.

The logistics of the Telluride screening were shrouded in secrecy, with attendees required to stow their phones and sign a non-disclosure agreement. This only adds to the mystery surrounding the film’s title, “You Can See Everything,” which promises an intimate look at Holmes’ life but ultimately delivers more questions than answers.

The documentary is not about exonerating Holmes or rehashing the Theranos scandal. Rather, it’s a character study of Fielder himself – his fascination with modern business and his willingness to poke around in the lives of others. This raises uncomfortable questions about power dynamics and complicity. If Fielder was indeed struggling to understand what he experienced during his time with Holmes, can we trust him to represent their story fairly?

The parallels between Holmes’ relationship with Evans and her infamous romance with Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani are striking. Both men have been accused of exerting control over Holmes’ business dealings – and perhaps even her personal life. The documentary suggests that this dynamic is still at play, with Evans making key decisions on Holmes’ behalf while she’s behind bars.

Fielder’s career has long been marked by a fascination with the absurdities of modern business. His work often blurs the line between documentary and fiction, leaving audiences to wonder what’s real and what’s staged. In this case, it’s unclear whether Fielder is more interested in exploring the complexities of human relationships or simply exploiting the drama surrounding Holmes’ downfall.

The trailer for “You Can See Everything” dropped online shortly after the Telluride screening, complete with a cryptic message from Holmes herself: “I’m always being real.” But what does it mean to be ‘real’ when your entire business empire is built on deception? Who gets to decide what’s real and what’s not in the first place?

As we wait for the film’s October release, one thing is certain: Nathan Fielder’s collaboration with Elizabeth Holmes will spark a conversation about the ethics of documentary filmmaking. But more importantly, it’ll raise uncomfortable questions about power dynamics, complicity, and the nature of truth itself.

Ultimately, “You Can See Everything” may be less about Theranos or even Holmes herself than it is about our own complicity in the drama surrounding her downfall. As Fielder navigates this complex web of relationships, we’re left to wonder: what’s real, and who gets to decide?