Elon Musk is reportedly initiating legal proceedings against a documentary focusing on him following its well-received premiere this week, criticizing director Alex Gibney as a “horrible human” on social media. The documentary, named Musk, debuted at the Venice Film Festival to a standing ovation and delves into Musk’s career as a provocative figure on the far-right and the head of a trillion-dollar tech empire built through various companies, changing tech promises, and associations with influential figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Receiving critical acclamation, the film, running for nearly four hours, is described as a detailed examination of Musk’s life, with The Guardian labeling it an “epic study of the world’s richest and most banal man.” Similarly, Deadline portrayed Musk as “petty, narcissistic, megalomaniacal, cruel, and disconnected from personal relationships while claiming to be a savior of humanity through Mars colonization,” indicating it as a warranted critique.
Scheduled for its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 14, Musk has been a subject of contention since its announcement in 2023, with Musk repeatedly denouncing it as a “hit piece.” Musk has been actively engaging on social media, echoing supporters’ criticisms of the documentary as “boring” and lambasting Gibney for being “lacking integrity” and a “bitter old man.”
In response to Musk’s actions, his attorney Alex Spiro has issued a formal legal notice to the production, warning of potential legal action if the facts in the documentary are not verified with credible sources. Jigsaw Productions, the producer of the film, defended its accuracy, asserting that examining powerful figures like Musk falls within the realm of free speech rights.
Gibney, known for his investigative films on various subjects, expressed concerns about Musk’s impact on democracy, emphasizing the dangers he poses. The documentary traces Musk’s journey from his upbringing in South Africa to his ventures through companies like Zip2, PayPal, Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and his involvement with AI technologies, alongside scrutinizing his ties with Trump and his controversial actions within the government.
Featuring interviews with key figures such as Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, Musk’s first wife Justine Musk, neurologist Sam Harris, and tech reporter Kara Swisher, the documentary also sheds light on Musk’s relationship with former USAID administrator Samantha Power and his ex-partner, Ashley St. Clair, who raised concerns about the film’s authenticity.
The film, set to hit select theaters in North America on October 16, with a wider release on October 23, explores Musk’s control over X and the alleged manipulation of algorithms, with claims of promoting inflammatory content. Musk’s influence on social media platforms and his potential impact on societal divisions are also highlighted in the documentary, raising questions about the regulation of his online presence.