Nathan Fielder Negotiated a ‘Kill Switch’ on ‘You Can See Everything,’ Says Lance Oppenheim: ‘If We Didn’t Find Something, We Could Just Throw It All Away’

Lance Oppenheim, co-director of the new Elizabeth Holmes documentary “You Can See Everything,” revealed that his collaborator Nathan Fielder insisted on a “kill switch” clause with distributor A24 before filming began. The unusual agreement allowed the filmmakers to abandon the project if they couldn’t uncover a compelling enough story. Oppenheim said Fielder was skeptical they could weave a unique narrative about the disgraced Theranos founder, given the extensive media coverage already devoted to her fraud trial and downfall. The clause gave them creative freedom to explore without pressure to deliver a standard true-crime recap. Ultimately, the team did find a fresh angle, and the film has become one of the most talked-about documentaries of the year. The “kill switch” detail underscores how even established directors like Fielder and Oppenheim are willing to walk away from a high-profile subject unless they can add real insight. It also highlights A24’s willingness to support unconventional creative deals in the documentary space. For audiences, the film’s existence proves that the story of Elizabeth Holmes still has untapped layers worth examining.