Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Musk Documentary Trailer Highlights Divided Views of Elon Musk
A new trailer previews a long documentary about Elon Musk.
It shows some people praising him as a brilliant inventor and builder.
Other people describe him as cruel, chaotic, or worse.
The trailer says he is “Earth’s most unchecked man.”
Alex Gibney directed the film.
Elon Musk did not help make it and called it a “hit piece.”
The documentary will first be shown at a film festival in Venice.
It will later reach theaters in the United States.
The trailer suggests the movie will explore why people have such different opinions about Musk.
Alex Gibney’s 48-second trailer presents sharply contrasting views of Elon Musk, from genius inventor to “fascist.”
The documentary “Musk” will premiere at the Venice International Film Festival on September 8 before screening at Toronto.
Bleecker Street plans to release the nearly four-hour film in U.S. theaters on October 16.
The film includes commentary from Kara Swisher and Sam Harris, plus an appearance by Musk’s first ex-wife, Justine Musk.
Musk, who did not participate, called the documentary a “hit piece,” while Gibney defended the project.
- Who
- The documentary is directed by Alex Gibney and focuses on Elon Musk, with commentary from Kara Swisher and Sam Harris and an appearance by Justine Musk.
- What
- A new 48-second teaser for the nearly four-hour documentary “Musk” presents opposing views of Musk as both an exceptional inventor and a chaotic, cruel, or “fascist” figure.
- When
- The teaser was released this week; the film is scheduled to premiere on September 8 and reach U.S. theaters on October 16.
- Where
- The premiere is planned for the Venice International Film Festival, followed by the Toronto International Film Festival and a U.S. theatrical release.
- Why
- The trailer appears intended to examine the sharply divided public opinion surrounding Musk rather than offer a straightforward positive or negative profile.
Positive Assessments
Critical Assessments
Musk’s public image
Positive Assessments
Voices in the trailer call Musk “possibly the greatest living inventor,” a real-life Iron Man, and one of the greatest builders of all time.
Critical Assessments
Other voices describe him as chaotic and cruel, with one calling him a “fascist.”
The documentary’s fairness
Positive Assessments
Alex Gibney presents the film as an examination of the conflicting views surrounding Musk and questioned how Musk could judge its content without participating.
Critical Assessments
Musk says the documentary is a “hit piece,” suggesting he views its portrayal as unfair or hostile.
Musk’s recent influence
Positive Assessments
The article notes that Musk remains a central figure in electric vehicles, space travel, and social media ownership.
Critical Assessments
His political statements and business decisions have drawn sharp criticism from commentators and former associates.
- Director
- Alex Gibney
- Trailer length
- 48 seconds
- Documentary length
- Close to four hours
- Venice premiere
- September 8, out of competition at the 83rd Venice International Film Festival
- U.S. release
- October 16 through Bleecker Street
- Featured commentators
- Kara Swisher and Sam Harris
- Musk’s response
- He called the documentary a “hit piece” on X