A nearly four-hour documentary directed by Alex Gibney examining the life and influence of Elon Musk premiered on Tuesday at the Venice Film Festival, offering a comprehensive look at the billionaire entrepreneur’s impact across technology, politics, and society. The film, which Musk declined to participate in, explores both his achievements and the controversies that have followed him throughout his career.
The documentary begins by tracing Musk’s rise during the 1990s tech boom, highlighting his early ventures with Tesla and SpaceX, companies that propelled electric vehicles and private spaceflight into broader public consciousness. Gibney portrays Musk initially as a visionary with ambitious goals to combat global warming and reduce the cost of space travel. However, the film suggests that these ideals became increasingly intertwined with a willingness to prioritize personal gain, describing Musk as embodying “noble cause corruption,” where the ends justify the means.
Gibney’s portrayal delves into Musk’s complex relationship with truth and reality, referencing the entrepreneur’s fondness for video games as both a calming influence and a retreat into an alternate narrative. A notable element of the film is the use of an artificially generated Musk figure composed entirely of his past public statements, underscoring what the director describes as a blurred line between Musk’s real-world actions and his crafted persona.
Beyond his business ventures, the documentary addresses Musk’s acquisition and transformation of Twitter—rebranded as X—and the broader implications of his control over digital platforms. Gibney highlights increases in hate speech linked to algorithm changes following Musk’s takeover. The film also touches on Musk’s pronatalist views, his focus on perpetuating his lineage, and the extensive data collection capabilities arising from Tesla’s technology and Starlink satellite network.
More recently, the documentary extends its scope to Musk’s growing political influence, documenting his ties to right-wing leaders such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro, as well as his involvement with the U.S. government following the reelection of former President Donald Trump. Musk’s establishment of the Department of Government Efficiency and participation in Oval Office briefings are presented as further evidence of his expanding reach beyond business into governance.
Interviews with figures close to Musk, including his first wife Justine Musk, former colleagues, and journalists, reflect a consistent theme of Musk’s determination to mold others according to his vision. Ashley St. Clair, a writer featured prominently in the film, describes Musk’s “most complicated relationship” as being with the truth and characterizes his drive as a continual effort to “optimize” humanity.
While the film incorporates stylized sequences involving video game imagery—symbolizing Musk’s seemingly insurmountable influence—its core argument emphasizes the need to consider the broader consequences of Musk’s power. Gibney’s intricate portrait challenges viewers to assess Musk not merely as a media figure but as a significant actor whose ambitions and actions warrant close scrutiny.