VENICE, ITALY – Director Alex Gibney’s highly anticipated documentary, ‘Musk,’ premiered out of competition today at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival, offering a nearly four-hour examination of Elon Musk’s multifaceted career and increasing political influence. The extensive 232-minute film, which is described as an ‘unflinching look at Earth’s most unchecked man,’ aims to delve into aspects of Musk that audiences might not expect.
The documentary traces Musk’s journey from his early days as a dot-com figure to his leadership roles at SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter). Its teaser has highlighted the deeply contrasting perspectives surrounding him, showcasing portrayals ranging from ‘greatest capitalist in history’ and ‘greatest living inventor’ to descriptions like ‘chaotic, random, capricious,’ ‘cruel and selfish,’ or even a ‘fascist.’
Gibney, known for his critical examinations of powerful figures and institutions in works such as ‘Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room’ and ‘Going Clear: Scientology and The Prison of Belief,’ began working on ‘Musk’ in early 2023. Production had already been underway for several months by then. Elon Musk himself did not participate in the film, publicly dismissing it as a ‘hit-piece’ on his X account.
To construct the narrative, Gibney’s team utilized a variety of techniques, including extensive archival interviews, original animation, and the innovative use of AI tools to simulate Musk ‘speaking’ to the filmmaker. Key interviewees featured in the documentary include Musk’s ex-wives Justine Musk and Ashley St. Clair, his father Errol Musk, former business partners, and prominent journalists such as Kara Swisher. Gibney has noted that many potential interviewees expressed fear about speaking publicly regarding Elon Musk.
The film also features an original song titled ‘Let Me Sell You a Dream,’ co-written by David Byrne and Daniel Pemberton, which uniquely incorporates Musk’s own public statements as its lyrics. Following its premiere in Venice, ‘Musk’ is scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on October 16, 2026, distributed by Bleecker Street. HBO has acquired the television and streaming rights, making the documentary available on premium cable and HBO Max after its theatrical run. The film is also slated to be shown at other prestigious film festivals, including those in Toronto and London.
The Essentials
Who directed the upcoming Elon Musk documentary?
The documentary was directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, known for his incisive investigative projects like Going Clear and Taxi to the Dark Side.
How long is Alex Gibney’s Musk documentary?
The film runs for an extensive 232 minutes (nearly four hours), making it one of the most comprehensive cinematic examinations of Elon Musk to date.
Where did the Musk documentary make its debut?
The documentary unveiled its first footage and premiere details at the Venice International Film Festival (La Biennale di Venezia).
What core themes does the film explore regarding Elon Musk?
It delves into Musk’s complex duality—contrasting his groundbreaking industrial ambitions across Tesla and SpaceX with his polarizing public persona, corporate culture, and political shifts.
Did Elon Musk participate directly in the project?
While the film incorporates extensive archival material and interviews with insiders, friends, and critics, it functions as an independent investigative portrait rather than an authorized biography.