You'd be hard-pressed to find a more scrutinized and debated individual on the global stage than Elon Musk. The visionary behind some of the world's most influential corporations, Musk has profoundly shaped public perception of electric vehicles, private space travel, and artificial intelligence. From his early association with clean energy to his current role as a social media provocateur, his career has been a whirlwind of innovation, market disruption, and often, significant controversy.

Musk's recent years have seen him deepen his embrace of internet troll culture, using his vast online platforms to disseminate erratic and often contradictory views, frequently inciting his followers. His high-profile acquisition and rebranding of Twitter to X, his vocal support for Donald Trump in the 2024 election, and his oversight of the short-lived Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have only amplified the debates surrounding his character and intentions.

This rich, complex, and often contentious material provides ample fodder for Alex Gibney, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind acclaimed documentaries like "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room," "Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief," and "Citizen K" (about Vladimir Putin). Gibney's latest project, "Musk," is slated for premieres at both the prestigious Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, positioning it as a major contender in the upcoming awards season.

Running nearly four hours, the documentary is described as "an incisive look behind the legend of Elon Musk, the world’s most heralded ‘inventor-entrepreneur’ who has enormous influence on the world in which we all live." This ambitious scope is precisely what justifies its considerable runtime, according to Anonymous Content CEO Darren Walker. In a recent interview, Walker noted that while other reports might focus on specific aspects like X, SpaceX, or Tesla, Gibney's approach is "on a more epic scale," demanding the film's extensive length to capture the full breadth of Musk's impact on life in 2026.

"Musk" is a collaborative effort, produced by Anonymous Content, Jigsaw Productions, Double Agent, and Closer Media. Bleecker Street will handle the theatrical release, with the film scheduled to open on Friday, October 16. A first teaser for the documentary has also been released, offering a glimpse into this highly anticipated exploration of the world's wealthiest and most talked-about man.