Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ Examines Elon Musk’s Vast Power and Influence
Alex Gibney made a long documentary about Elon Musk.
The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Gibney wanted to study how Musk became so powerful.
He says Musk persuades people to invest by speaking confidently about the future.
Gibney believes Musk sometimes makes promises that are not supported by facts or evidence.
He also says Musk’s support for Donald Trump was connected to government money and investigations.
Many people who knew Musk were afraid to speak openly about him.
The film will be released in theaters in October.
Alex Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary “Musk” premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Gibney says Musk’s power comes from confidently promoting future visions that attract investment in his companies.
The filmmaker describes Musk as an investor and stock promoter rather than primarily an inventor.
Gibney says Musk’s support for Donald Trump was driven partly by federal funding and investigations involving his companies.
People close to Musk were reportedly afraid to speak on camera without his permission, according to Gibney.
- Who
- Documentarian Alex Gibney is examining Elon Musk and his influence.
- What
- Gibney’s nearly four-hour documentary “Musk” explores Musk’s power, business methods, political support and reputation.
- When
- The film premiered this week at the Venice Film Festival and is scheduled for theatrical release in October; Gibney began considering the project in early 2023.
- Where
- The world premiere took place at the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy.
- Why
- Gibney said he wanted to create a portrait of 21st-century power and investigate the sources and consequences of Musk’s influence.
- Film
- “Musk”
- Director
- Alex Gibney
- Subject
- Elon Musk
- Runtime
- Nearly four hours
- Premiere
- Venice Film Festival
- Theatrical release
- October
- Distributor
- Bleecker Street
- Production start
- Gibney began considering the project in early 2023