Elon Musk’s business empire, political influence and public persona are the focus of a nearly four-hour documentary premiering at the Venice Film Festival, as Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney takes a critical look at the billionaire’s rise and ambitions.
Musk, which premiered on Tuesday, examines the world’s richest man and his stated goals of colonising Mars, promoting sustainable energy and defending free speech. Gibney said the film sought to challenge what he described as the “unreality” surrounding Musk’s public narrative.
“I wanted to understand what game he is playing,” Gibney says at the beginning of the documentary, which explores Musk’s reputation as a rule-breaking innovator, as well as the controversies surrounding his conduct and increasingly right-wing political views.
Gibney said Musk’s story reminded him of other larger-than-life figures featured in his previous documentaries, including executives involved in the Enron scandal and former Theranos chief Elizabeth Holmes.
According to Gibney, Musk’s trajectory reflects a familiar pattern involving ambitious claims and the promotion of a particular public image. He argued that some of Musk’s original goals had been affected by what he described as “noble cause corruption”, in which a person’s belief in a cause is used to justify controversial actions.
The documentary examines what Gibney describes as the “cult of Elon”, including the strong support Musk receives from Tesla enthusiasts and his ties with former US President Donald Trump and supporters of the MAGA movement during the 2024 election campaign.
The film follows Musk’s career from his early Silicon Valley ventures to the development of SpaceX and Tesla, before examining his growing political engagement and relationships with right-wing leaders.
Gibney also questions some of Musk’s promises and business claims, including those surrounding Tesla’s Autopilot technology and the former US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk helped lead.
Musk dismissed the documentary as a “hit piece” when Gibney approached him about participating in the project, according to the filmmaker.
Musk’s personal relationships and family life also feature prominently in the documentary. His first wife, Justine Musk, discusses his growing family, while Ashley St. Clair, a former right-wing influencer who has a child with Musk, speaks about their relationship.
St. Clair says in the film that she turned down a reported $40 million non-disclosure agreement following their separation. She also expresses regret over her previous involvement in promoting right-wing politics.
She criticises Musk’s activity on X, saying his controversial statements contribute to political divisions and could have serious consequences.
Gibney, who won an Academy Award in 2008 for Taxi to the Dark Side, said the documentary was not solely about Musk but also examined the broader influence of technology billionaires.
“We’re all implicated in the story,” Gibney said, arguing that society had allowed technology leaders to accumulate significant power.
