New Documentary Explores Reality Through Hyper-Stylized Portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos Scandal

A new documentary has left audiences questioning the very nature of reality itself after presenting an unsettling and disorienting portrayal of its subject.

The film, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, offers a hyper-stylized examination of Elizabeth Holmes and the infamous Theranos health-tech scandal that went horribly wrong. However, it delves much deeper than just the scandal, revealing intimate details about those involved in an attempt to uncover authenticity.

In an effort to provide clarity, the filmmakers use close-up shots of their subjects' sweat, chapped lips, and pores, but the pursuit of truth seems elusive. The resulting effect is a hall of mirrors that leaves viewers questioning everything they thought they knew about reality.

Orson Welles tackled similar themes in his 1973 documentary F For Fake, which explores the idea that authenticity may be an illusion. In this video essay, Welles stars as himself and narrates the biography of Elymr de Hory, a renowned art forger, raising questions about the nature of truth and deception.

The filmmakers' use of close-up shots in their documentary raises questions about the boundaries between reality and performance. By putting viewers right up against the skin of their subjects, they blur the lines between authenticity and artifice.

Welles' F For Fake predates this examination by over 50 years, but it poses the same fundamental question: can we ever truly know what is real?

The notion that reality can be escaped or manipulated has long been a staple of cinema, as seen in Spike Jonze's 1999 film Being John Malkovich. This thought-provoking movie follows Craig Schwartz, a struggling puppeteer who stumbles upon a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich.

As Schwartz navigates this surreal world, he becomes obsessed with the idea of transcending his mundane reality and finding a new sense of purpose. The film's exploration of identity and the human desire to escape one's circumstances raises fundamental questions about the nature of reality.

Similarly, Werner Herzog's 2005 documentary Grizzly Man chronicles the life of Timothy Treadwell, an outdoorsman who believes he can coexist with wild animals. Through a series of intimate interviews and footage of Treadwell's encounters with bears, the film reveals his naivety and ultimately tragic fate.

The documentary raises questions about the human relationship with nature and our place within it.

The documentary Free Solo is a gripping watch for those who appreciate the art of free solo climbing, a style where climbers ascend without any protective gear.

This particular film follows Alex Honnold's preparation to climb El Capitán in Yosemite National Park, a daunting 3,200-foot vertical rock face that requires immense physical and mental strength.

The documentary delves deeper into Honnold's personal life, exploring his relationship with his then-girlfriend and his remarkable fearlessness, which raises questions about the human capacity for risk-taking.

By examining Honnold's inner world, the film probes the complexities of the human experience and our place within the natural environment.