NEW YORK – Filmmaker Alex Gibney is preparing to release Musk, a documentary examining Elon Musk’s rise from technology entrepreneur to one of the world’s most influential business and political figures.
The documentary began taking shape in late 2022. Gibney initially focused on Musk’s childhood, business career and companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink and Neuralink.
The project later expanded after Musk became a major supporter of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and took a prominent role in the US government.
Gibney continued filming for almost two additional years. The documentary eventually grew into a much longer project before being edited down for its festival and theatrical releases.
Film examines Musk’s role in government
A major part of the documentary focuses on Musk’s involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.
The film examines Musk’s relationship with young DOGE staffers and his role in efforts to reduce government spending and the federal workforce.
Gibney also raises concerns about the amount of government information that DOGE officials could access.
The documentary features comments from journalists, technology experts and other sources about the potential use of government data for political purposes.
Gibney argues that access to large amounts of personal information could create significant risks if such data were used to influence elections.
The filmmaker has also pointed to whistleblower allegations concerning the handling of government data during the DOGE period.
Starlink and SpaceX receive major attention
The documentary also explores Musk’s influence through SpaceX and its satellite internet service, Starlink.
Gibney examines Starlink’s importance in Ukraine and other conflict zones, where the service has become an important communications tool.
The film questions what it means when a private company can make decisions affecting military and geopolitical operations.
SpaceX’s relationship with NASA also receives attention as part of the documentary’s broader examination of Musk’s growing influence over the US space industry.
Documentary looks at Musk’s political activities
Musk’s relationship with Trump is another major focus of the film.
According to Gibney, Musk’s political involvement changed the direction of the documentary. His financial support for Trump and subsequent government role added a new dimension to the filmmaker’s examination of his power.
The documentary also considers Musk’s use of X, formerly Twitter, and his relationships with political leaders around the world.
Gibney questions whether Musk’s technology platforms, business interests and political connections could give him influence that extends beyond traditional political structures.
Film uses video game-style recreation
Because Musk did not agree to an interview for the documentary, Gibney and his research team relied heavily on existing recordings, interviews and published reporting.
The film also uses an unusual video game-style representation of Musk.
The filmmakers created a digital avatar based on Musk’s publicly available audio. The character appears in sequences inspired by video games, including first-person-shooter elements.
Gibney said the approach was partly inspired by Musk’s own interest in simulation and video games.
The technique is also intended to question the larger-than-life image that has surrounded Musk for years.
Musk did not participate in the documentary
Musk rejected the project publicly after its announcement.
He described the film as a “hit piece” on X and later traded remarks with Gibney on the platform.
Gibney initially hoped Musk would participate in the documentary. That possibility ended after Musk publicly criticised the filmmaker.
The director instead turned to former associates, journalists, researchers and other people who had interacted with Musk.
Representatives for several Musk companies were contacted for comment on the documentary, but the filmmakers said they received no response.
Film revisits Musk’s public image
Gibney also examines the way Hollywood and popular culture have portrayed Musk.
The documentary looks at appearances and references involving Musk in films and television programmes, including Iron Man 2, The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory, Rick and Morty and Saturday Night Live.
The film argues that these appearances contributed to Musk’s image as an unconventional technology visionary.
Gibney, however, takes a more critical view of that reputation and questions how much of Musk’s public persona is based on his actual achievements and how much comes from effective self-promotion.
Alex Gibney says Musk represents a new form of power Gibney has described the documentary as an examination of power in the 21st century.
Rather than focusing only on Musk’s personal history, the filmmaker says the movie looks at how technology, wealth, political connections and access to data can combine to create influence.
The documentary therefore goes beyond Tesla and SpaceX to examine Musk’s broader role in technology, politics and global communications.
Gibney has previously made documentaries about powerful institutions and figures, including the US military, Scientology, Wall Street and Vladimir Putin.
He considers Musk a continuation of that work.
When will Musk be released?
Musk is scheduled to have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Sept 8, 2026. The documentary is expected to receive a theatrical release through Bleecker Street in October.
A longer version is planned for HBO in 2027, with the television cut expected to run for around four hours.
The film could also become a major contender during the documentary awards season, depending on its reception at Venice, Toronto and in cinemas.
With Musk remaining a highly controversial figure in American politics and technology, the documentary is likely to attract attention well beyond the traditional documentary audience.
Key points:
- Alex Gibney’s new documentary Musk examines Elon Musk’s business empire and growing political influence.
- The film covers Musk’s roles at Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, Neuralink and X, as well as his involvement with Donald Trump.
- Gibney expanded the documentary after Musk became closely involved with the Trump administration and DOGE.
- The film raises questions about Musk’s access to government data during his time in Washington.
- Musk is scheduled to premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Sept 8 before its theatrical release in October.
- HBO is expected to release a longer version of the documentary in 2027. Alex Gibney’s Musk documentary takes aim at billionaire’s influence
