Billy Evans is speaking out regarding the decision to let documentary filmmakers document the final days before his partner, convicted Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes, reported to prison. Appearing on the "All-In" podcast as the project launched its theatrical run, Evans addressed the public response and his own mixed feelings about the film's promotional material.
Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, the documentary titled "You Can See Everything" provides an intimate look inside the couple's private life leading up to Holmes serving her prison sentence. While the project has secured strong critical praise and early awards conversation following its initial debut at the Telluride Film Festival, its public rollout has sparked fresh debate surrounding Holmes.
The Motivation Behind Opening Their Home to Cameras
During his podcast appearance, Evans explained the couple's rationale for granting access to the filmmakers during an intensely stressful transition period. He noted that Holmes was preparing to serve an 11-year prison term and had long been restricted from offering public commentary due to her legal circumstances.
Evans emphasized that the film was never intended to re-argue her criminal fraud conviction, as Holmes was legally obligated not to discuss the case itself. Instead, he argued that the documentary was meant to counter the deeply entrenched public image created by years of outside media reporting, offering audiences a direct view of her everyday behavior so they could draw their own conclusions.
Hoping to Replicate Private Perspectives at Scale
To explain why he supported the filming, Evans drew comparisons to how his own inner circle reacted when he first entered a relationship with Holmes. He recounted that close relatives, including his grandmother, as well as trusted friends, initially questioned his sanity when he revealed that he was dating and planning a family with the former biotech executive.
According to Evans, those skeptical attitudes shifted dramatically once people met Holmes directly and interacted with her during mundane routines, like taking walks or assisting acquaintances. Evans said the primary goal of the documentary was to duplicate that personal dynamic for the broader public, allowing viewers to spend time observing her outside the confines of court hearings and news headlines.
Teaser Reaction and Lingering Uncertainties
Despite the couple's underlying hopes, the documentary's release has renewed public scrutiny and skepticism toward Holmes. Distributor A24 previously debuted a teaser trailer featuring Holmes maintaining that she did not engage in wrongdoing at Theranos, a clip that prompted uneasy reactions from prospective audiences.
Evans acknowledged those impressions candidly, admitting that he has not yet watched the finished film and conceding that Holmes "looks insane" in the promotional teaser. He also pointed out that elements such as the teaser's score carried an adversarial tone, leading him to wonder aloud whether consenting to the production might ultimately prove to be an error in judgment. Even so, he noted that the choice was entirely theirs to make.
Background on the Couple and Current Release
Holmes and Evans first met in 2017 amid the ongoing fallout and investigations surrounding Theranos. The couple later welcomed two children together: their son, William, born in 2021, and their daughter, Invicta, born in 2023.
As "You Can See Everything" continues its theatrical rollout following its festival launch, public conversation remains centered on whether the film humanizes Holmes or cements existing judgments regarding her actions.
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Source: Variety
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