Alex Gibney’s highly anticipated documentary about Elon Musk has released its first trailer, arriving shortly after Musk’s legal team sent the filmmakers a formal legal notice. The legal warning also preceded a decision to move the film’s release date forward.
Titled Musk, the documentary premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it reportedly received a four-minute standing ovation and a strong reception from audiences.
The film’s official synopsis describes it as “an incisive look behind the legend of Elon Musk,” examining the life and influence of the billionaire entrepreneur and the impact of his businesses and public activities.
Running for nearly four hours, Musk follows the entrepreneur’s rise from a Silicon Valley figure in the early 2000s to one of the world’s wealthiest and most influential business leaders. Gibney explores Musk’s involvement with Tesla and SpaceX, as well as his 2022 acquisition of Twitter, which was later renamed X.
The documentary also examines Musk’s increasingly prominent role in U.S. politics, including his relationship with Donald Trump and his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency.
Several people who have worked with, reported on, or otherwise crossed paths with Musk appear in the film. The participants include Justine Musk, Ashley St. Clair, journalist Kara Swisher, Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, journalist Zoë Schiffer, and AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton.
Musk himself did not participate in the documentary. Instead, Gibney uses a CGI recreation of the billionaire, combined with AI voice synchronization, to construct an interview based on statements Musk has previously made publicly.
The documentary has also faced controversy surrounding its international distribution. Universal Pictures initially drew criticism after reportedly dropping plans for a worldwide release, but the distributor ultimately maintained its international release plans.
With its lengthy runtime, high-profile interviews, and focus on one of the world’s most prominent technology figures, Musk is set to offer an extensive examination of the businessman’s career, public influence, and personal life.
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