Alex Gibney's 'Musk' Documentary Presents a Complex, Lengthy Portrait of Elon Musk

Tendela Briefing · 12 Oct 2026 · 01:00 UTC

Image: Ars Technica · Source

Alex Gibney's new four-hour documentary 'Musk' explores Elon Musk's rise and controversies, portraying him as both visionary and flawed, though the film's length and split tone may challenge viewers.

Director Alex Gibney, acclaimed for his investigative documentaries, has released a nearly four-hour biographical film titled "Musk," examining the life and persona of Elon Musk. Known to technology followers for his profound impact on several industries, Musk is depicted here as a complex figure — part visionary entrepreneur, part modern confidence man.

The documentary traces Musk's trajectory from his early ventures to his more recent controversial actions, including his acquisition of Twitter and political alignments. Gibney’s film challenges Musk’s carefully curated public image by portraying him as a high-tech promoter who dazzles investors and the public with futuristic visions but whose reality may be less idealistic.

Notably, the film is divided into two distinct halves. The first explores Musk’s formative years, showcasing archival footage and interviews that humanize him and recall the early idealism surrounding his efforts at Tesla, SpaceX, and other ventures. The second half adopts a more critical tone, focusing on Musk's behavior and decisions post-Twitter purchase, portraying a much more contentious figure aligned with political controversies and public missteps.

Gibney constructed this extended narrative partly because Musk declined interviews, instead integrating an AI-generated Musk to voice public statements, a choice that has received mixed reactions for its unsettling effect. The film features interviews with notable figures such as ex-wife Justine Musk, tech journalists, and industry insiders.

While compelling, the documentary has been described as overlong and somewhat fragmented, reflecting its expansion to include Musk’s most recent developments at the request of HBO. Some viewers might find the nearly four-hour runtime challenging, with suggestions that a miniseries format could have been more effective.

Despite Musk’s threats of a defamation suit and attempts to prevent wide distribution, "Musk" premiered in select U.S. theaters in New York and Los Angeles and is slated for broader release on October 14, 2026. Ultimately, Gibney’s film presents a multifaceted portrait of a man whose ambition and influence continue to shape technology and society, though it stops short of fully explaining the factors behind his more problematic behaviors.