Alex Gibney releases trailer for four-hour Elon Musk documentary "Musk

A trailer for “Musk,” a four‑hour documentary directed by Alex Gibney, has been released ahead of its theatrical debut. The film will open in select U.S. cinemas on October 9 and expand to a wider rollout on October 16. The trailer promises an in‑depth look at Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, and hints at the film’s unusually long runtime, complete with a ten‑minute intermission.

Gibney is known for probing, often controversial subjects. He earned acclaim for “Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief,” and a documentary on Elizabeth Holmes. His track record suggests “Musk” will not be a flattering tribute but a rigorous investigation. The timing aligns with heightened public scrutiny of Musk’s business moves, political entanglements and his influence on social media.

The documentary covers a range of contentious topics. It examines Musk’s promotion of Dogecoin, his perceived alignment with the MAGA movement, and his habit of over‑promising futuristic technology. It also delves into accidents involving Tesla’s self‑driving system and a fringe conspiracy that Musk’s Starlink satellites were used to tilt the 2024 election toward Donald Trump, based on text messages shared by his former girlfriend Ashley St. Clair. Musk has publicly denounced the film, threatening a defamation lawsuit and calling Gibney “a bitter old man” with “zero integrity.” Early screenings have given the film a perfect 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The release could shape public opinion of Musk at a pivotal moment for his companies and political influence. If the lawsuit proceeds, it may delay further screenings or affect distribution. Regardless, the film’s ambitious length and investigative angle promise to spark debate about the power and accountability of one of the tech world’s most polarizing figures.