Strong early reviews for the documentary “Musk,” directed by Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, have prompted its United States distributor to advance the film’s release date to October 9. The documentary, which explores Elon Musk’s business ventures and political influence, had its world premiere earlier this month at the Venice International Film Festival and was later shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. It runs nearly four hours, including a 10-minute intermission.
“Musk” takes a close look at Musk’s roles, notably his position as a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump and his ties to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). One notable sequence includes Nobel Prize-winning computer scientist Geoffrey Hinton expressing concerns that personal data obtained by DOGE could potentially be exploited to interfere with the upcoming midterm elections.
Bleecker Street, the independent distributor handling the film’s U.S. release, adjusted its schedule due to positive festival reception and audience interest. The movie will open in New York and Los Angeles on October 9 before expanding nationally on October 16. The film’s international release, however, remains unsettled, with Universal Pictures—holding overseas distribution rights—yet to announce release dates for markets outside the United States.
Universal, a division of NBCUniversal owned by Comcast, acquired international rights earlier this year for several million dollars. Despite this, the lack of announced dates has raised speculation among some members of the filmmaking team about whether political considerations might be influencing the rollout. The studio denied any change in plans, stating it remains committed to releasing the film worldwide but requires additional time to coordinate dates across many countries. According to one insider involved in distribution, the film’s extensive running time presents challenges in scheduling to optimize ticket sales.
These concerns emerge amid broader accusations that some media companies have tempered their actions to avoid antagonizing the Trump administration. Recent instances include substantial settlements paid by ABC News and Paramount to resolve lawsuits brought by Trump, criticism of CBS over the cancellation of Stephen Colbert’s late-night program—allegedly to align with financial motivations—and Hollywood studios avoiding the political biopic “The Apprentice” due to legal threats associated with the 2024 campaign.
Elon Musk has openly criticized the documentary, labeling it a “hit piece” on social media platform X. After the Venice screening, he intensified his remarks, dismissing Gibney as a “bitter old man” lacking integrity and branding the film “boring.” There is no evidence Musk viewed the full documentary. Alex Spiro, Musk’s lawyer, sent a letter to Gibney ahead of the Venice premiere accusing the director of refusing to fact-check with Musk’s team or grant witness access, and threatening potential legal action.
Jigsaw Productions, which produced the film, defended its approach, emphasizing the importance of First Amendment protections for open debate and fact-based scrutiny of influential public figures. A statement highlighted Musk’s public identification as a “free speech absolutist,” arguing that such principles should be embraced by all his associates.
Gibney is familiar with strong opposition from documentary subjects. His 2015 film “Going Clear,” which investigated the Church of Scientology, also prompted a significant backlash. As “Musk” prepares for its U.S. release, the international distribution remains under close watch amid ongoing discussions about its timing and reception.