Everything You Need to See and Also “You Can See Everything”
“You See Everything,” the new documentary about Theranos founder (and seasoned fraudster) Elizabeth Holmes, from directors Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, is breaking records (and blowing minds). Not only is it raking in box office revenue, something few documentaries can achieve, but it’s also dominating pop culture with its unconventional tropes, an unexpected, rule-breaking plot twist (which I won’t spoil), and its uncompromising and inexplicably captivating heroine.
While some may argue that this incredible film should be approached without prior knowledge, if you’re unfamiliar with any of the three main characters, a little prep before watching will be beneficial—and if you’ve already seen the film, you’ll no doubt be looking forward to delving even deeper into this truly remarkable (in every sense of the word) story. Here’s what you should watch, read, and listen to before or after watching You Can See Everything .
Movies, TV series, podcasts, and books to watch before You See Everything:
Simply put: there’s a lot going on here. To appreciate the film properly, you need to know at least the basics of three things: Elizabeth Holmes (and why she’s infamous), and the work of Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. Here’s a quick primer.
Podcasts
The 2019 podcast, The Dropout , is one of the most effective ways to learn more about Holmes and Theranos. Styled like a true-crime podcast, this project from ABC and journalist Rebecca Jarvis offers a deep dive into the story of Holmes and her crimes, providing you with all the information you need.
Books
John Carreyrou, the journalist who broke Holmes’s story, and his award-winning book , “Bad Blood,” offers a more journalistic and less sensationalist investigation than other sources, providing an intimate look at Holmes as the CEO—a simultaneously frightening and charismatic figure who emerges as the “character” Holmes plays. The book will have a significant impact on your experience of the documentary.
Movies
While Nathan Fielder is the main focus of You See Everything , co-director Lance Oppenheim brings his signature style to the film—without his visual flair and frame composition, the film wouldn’t be nearly as engaging.
Oppenheim has made several acclaimed films, establishing himself as a brilliant documentarian over the past few years. But to prepare for “You Can See Everything,” watch “Spermworld,” his 2024 film about unregulated sperm donation (you read that right). The documentary features people as out of touch, manipulative, and possibly delusional as Holmes, and will prepare you for its visual style, with extreme close-ups and over-the-top coverage that seems almost impossible in a typical documentary. “Spermworld” is available to stream on Hulu .
TV show
If you’re not familiar with Nathan Fielder’s work, brace yourself, because he’s unlike any other comedian or documentarian you’ve ever encountered.
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To get a feel for his style, start with Nathan for You, a comedy-documentary reality show in which Fielder, playing himself, tries to use his business experience to help struggling individuals and small businesses. Presented as completely sincere, Fielder’s ideas, however, become increasingly intricate and, in a word, wacky. This show will introduce you to Fielder’s personality and approach, but if you only have time for one episode, watch the finale, “Finding Frances.” It chronicles Fielder’s attempts to reunite one of his former clients with her long-lost love, and it’s a near-perfect embodiment of his style and approach. You can watch Nathan for You on Hoopla or Paramount Plus , or rent it episode by episode on Prime Video .
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You should also watch at least part of Fielder’s other series, The Rehearsal . Here, Fielder (again playing himself) tries to help people prepare for difficult conversations using increasingly ridiculous methods and scenarios that escalate into comedic madness, including building sets, hiring actors, and immersing himself and his interviewees in a kind of alternate reality—an approach that will prepare you for some of the unexpected twists in You See It All . If you don’t have time to watch the whole thing, just watch the first episode, “Orange Juice Without Pulp.” It’s a stand-alone chapter that will give you the highlights. You can watch The Rehearsal on Apple TV or HBO Max , or rent episodes on Prime Video .
Movies, TV shows, podcasts, and books worth watching after You See Everything
Do you have more time to spare before watching “You See Everything,” or do you want to delve deeper into the topic after the mind-blowing documentary? Here’s what else you can watch.
Podcasts
The podcast, a companion to Carreyrou’s book , Bad Blood: The Final Chapter , is definitely worth a listen. The journalist’s perspective on her investigation and work during and after Holmes’s trial provides additional insight into her personality and methods, which will be especially memorable after watching Fielder and Oppenheim’s documentary.
Movies
After you’ve spent a little time reflecting on You See Everything , there are two more films you should watch.
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To learn more about Holmes’s specific scam and how she pulled it off, Alex Gibney’s excellent documentary “The Inventor: Bloodlust in Silicon Valley” is worth watching, especially if you weren’t following the Theranos story at the time and your main visual source for Holmes’s life is the new documentary. Gibney’s film is more traditional, but offers many interesting insights into Holmes and her secretive world. You can watch “The Inventor” on HBO Max or rent it on Prime Video .
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If you prefer the work of co-director Lance Oppenheim, check out his 2020 documentary , Some Kind of Heaven , about the Florida retirement community The Villages. It was the film that made Oppenheim famous, and it displays the same detached, observational style that made You Can See Everything so captivating. You can watch Some Kind of Heaven on Kanopy or Hoopla , or rent it on Prime Video .
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By the way, if you enjoyed the visual style and “enhanced” reality of ” You See Everything ” and want to see something similar, check out “Primetime,” starring Robert Pattinson, which is still in theaters. It’s Oppenheim’s feature film directorial debut, combining his hyper-stylized visual style with the fast-paced thriller and a plot based on real events.
TV show
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Fielder’s 2023 television series, The Curse , is his first feature, and it offers some captivating ideas. The series follows newlyweds (played by Fielder and Emma Stone) as they attempt to launch an HGTV-style show, which gets incredibly awkward (and ultimately somewhat surreal). After watching You Can See Everything, it’ll be interesting to see how Fielder weighs the power of editing, the ethics of reality TV, and working with a famous actor to achieve his desired results. Plus, like the film, The Curse’s ending is mind-blowing. You can watch The Curse on Apple TV or rent it on Prime Video .
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You should also definitely check out The Dropout , which premiered on Hulu in 2022 and stars Amanda Seyfried. It’s a well-made film, and Seyfried’s performance has been deservedly praised for capturing the eccentricity of Holmes’s public persona. You can watch The Dropout on Hulu .