Why 'You Can See Everything' Could Make Oscars History

The documentary landscape at the Academy Awards has long maintained a strict boundary between nonfiction storytelling and the prestigious Best Picture race. While films like 'Flee' have broken barriers by securing multiple nominations across different categories, a documentary has never successfully crossed the ultimate threshold to be nominated for Best Picture. However, a new A24 project titled 'You Can See Everything,' directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, is aiming to change that historical precedent entirely.

The project first generated massive industry buzz during an explosive secret screening at the Telluride Film Festival, followed by a prominent showcase at the New York Film Festival. The documentary specifically follows Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes during the final 34 days before she reported to prison, continuing its narrative lens well past that milestone. This unique timing and intimate access provide an unprecedented look at a disgraced high-profile figure facing the immediate consequences of her actions.

One of the primary reasons this film stands a chance at breaking through to the broader Best Picture category lies in its mainstream visibility and the reputation of its creators. Unlike traditional documentaries that often struggle to capture the attention of the wider Academy membership outside of the specialized documentary branch, Fielder brings a massive following from his acclaimed television work such as 'Nathan for You' and 'The Rehearsal.' Furthermore, cinematographer David Bolen employs a distinct visual style, utilizing long lenses that linger on subjects' faces past the point of comfort, creating a cinematic tension usually reserved for high-end fiction features.

The path to a Best Picture nomination is notoriously complex, relying heavily on the preferences of the Academy's roughly 11,000 voting members who decide the top category. While the specialized documentary branch manages the documentary feature category with its own unique voting habits and insular tendencies, the broader membership represents a completely different demographic. Actors and industry professionals who rarely open a documentary screener are already familiar with the creative team behind this project, potentially bridging the traditional gap between nonfiction and fiction voting blocs.

As the awards season progresses, 'You Can See Everything' remains one of the most talked-about titles on the circuit. Whether it can overcome institutional hurdles and historical precedent remains to be seen, but the conversation alone marks a significant shift in how nonfiction cinema is perceived by major industry voters. If it manages to secure that elusive Best Picture nomination, it will permanently alter the landscape of Hollywood history and redefine what kinds of stories are considered worthy of the industry's highest honor.