- You Can See Everything is a 174-minute A24 documentary about Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos
- Mature themes include corporate fraud, criminal conviction, and impending prison — best for teens and adults
- No official MPA rating has been announced yet; check theater listings closer to release
- No horror or graphic content is expected, but discussions of deception and legal consequences require context
- Directors Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim filmed Holmes starting 34 days before her prison sentence
You Can See Everything Parents Guide: Overview
This You Can See Everything parents guide helps families decide whether the A24 documentary is appropriate for younger viewers. The film, directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, follows Elizabeth Holmes — the founder of the failed blood-testing company Theranos — during an extraordinary window of access that began 34 days before she reported to prison.
Because the film is a documentary rather than a scripted thriller, the content concerns are different from what parents might expect. There is no violence or action spectacle. Instead, the material raises questions about maturity: can a younger viewer understand fraud, criminal responsibility, and the ethics of how a documentary subject presents herself?
| Film Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | You Can See Everything |
| Type | Documentary |
| Directors | Nathan Fielder, Lance Oppenheim |
| Distributor | A24 |
| US Theatrical Release | October 16, 2026 |
| Runtime | 174 minutes (nearly 3 hours) |
| MPA Rating | Not yet announced |
| New York Premiere | September 30, 2026 (NYFF Spotlight) |
A24 has not published an official MPA rating for the film as of October 2026. Documentary ratings can range from PG to R depending on language and subject handling. Always check your theater's listing or the official A24 film page before buying tickets for younger viewers.
Content Breakdown by Category
The following breakdown is based on the film's confirmed subject matter — the Theranos scandal, Holmes's criminal conviction, and the pre-prison filming period. It will be updated as more detailed reviews and an official rating become available.
| Category | Expected Level | What Parents Should Know |
|---|---|---|
| Violence | None expected | No physical violence; the story is a business and legal drama |
| Language | Possibly moderate | Documentaries about scandal may include strong language; unconfirmed |
| Sexual Content | None expected | No indication of sexual content in the premise |
| Substance Use | Not indicated | No relevant content announced |
| Frightening Images | Minimal | Cold, surveillance-style visual tone may feel unsettling but not scary |
| Mature Themes | High | Fraud, deception, criminal conviction, prison, media manipulation |
Fine for Teens
- High school age and up can follow the fraud story
- Useful conversation starter about business ethics
- Comparable to news-magazine coverage of the case
Needs Context
- Middle schoolers may need background on Theranos
- The 174-minute runtime tests younger attention spans
- Documentary framing may blur fact and performance
Not Recommended
- Young children will find it slow and confusing
- Abstract themes of deception and punishment
- No content designed for family viewing
The film's core question — why would someone agree to be filmed before going to prison — makes for a strong discussion with teens about accountability, public image, and how documentaries are constructed.
Who Is Elizabeth Holmes? Background for Parents
If your teen has never heard of Theranos, a quick primer makes the documentary far more rewarding. The true-story background falls into four clear phases.
The Founder
Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford and founded Theranos, promising revolutionary blood tests using tiny samples from a finger prick.
The Rise
The company attracted massive investment, a multi-billion-dollar valuation, and high-profile board members and partnerships.
The Collapse
Investigations revealed the technology could not deliver what was claimed, and the company dissolved amid scandal.
The Conviction
Holmes was convicted of multiple counts of fraud and sentenced to prison. The documentary's filming began 34 days before she reported.
Unlike a scripted crime drama, this documentary deals with a real person, real victims who lost investments, and real patients whose medical results were questioned. That reality weight is why parental guidance is suggested even without graphic content.
Practical Viewing Checklist
Before taking your family to see the film, work through this quick checklist.
Before You Buy Tickets:
- Confirm the official MPA rating once A24 announces it
- Check the 174-minute runtime fits your family's schedule
- Brief younger teens on the Theranos backstory
- Read early reviews after the October 16, 2026 release for language details
- Plan a post-film discussion about ethics and accountability
| Age Group | Recommendation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 10 | Skip | Subject matter too abstract, runtime too long |
| 10-13 | Not recommended | Needs significant context; better introduced via news articles |
| 14-17 | Suitable with discussion | Fraud and legal themes land well with teens |
| 18+ | Fully appropriate | Target audience for A24 documentaries |
For teens interested in business, journalism, or film, the documentary doubles as a case study in both corporate fraud and documentary ethics — the pairing of Nathan Fielder's interest in performance with Lance Oppenheim's observational style is itself a filmmaking lesson.
FAQ
Q: Is You Can See Everything appropriate for kids?
The documentary contains no expected violence or graphic content, but its mature themes of fraud, criminal conviction, and prison make it best suited for teens and adults. This You Can See Everything parents guide recommends ages 14 and up with family discussion.
Q: What is the official rating for You Can See Everything?
A24 has not announced an official MPA rating as of October 2026. Check theater listings or the official A24 website closer to your screening date for the confirmed rating.
Q: How long is the movie?
The film runs 174 minutes, just under three hours, which is long for younger viewers. Plan accordingly for attention spans and bathroom breaks.
Q: Does the documentary contain anything scary or disturbing?
No horror or frightening imagery is expected. The unsettling elements are thematic rather than visual — deception, accountability, and a surveillance-influenced visual style that feels tense rather than frightening.
This parents guide will be refreshed after the October 16, 2026 theatrical release, once an official rating and detailed critic reports on language and content become available.