‘The Housemaid’ Star Amanda Seyfried Faces Backlash Over ‘You Can See Everything’ Role
Few true-crime narratives have been revisited as frequently as Elizabeth Holmes’ dramatic journey, and Amanda Seyfried has been linked to it ever since her portrayal of the Theranos founder in ‘The Dropout’. Her Emmy-winning performance made her a natural choice for the intriguing new chapter now unfolding on screen.
This chapter is ‘You Can See Everything’, a three-hour documentary released by A24 in theaters on October 16. Filming commenced just 34 days before Holmes was scheduled to report to federal prison, evolving into a three-year project directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim. Holmes had not participated in earlier documentaries or the Hulu series about her, making this close access particularly significant.
Seyfried appears as herself midway through the film, and her involvement has sparked considerable discussion online. She is facing intense criticism, with many viewers accusing her of hypocrisy regarding her portrayal of Holmes.
After Holmes begins her prison sentence, Fielder invites Seyfried to help reenact conversations he had with Holmes, with Seyfried taking on the role of Holmes during prison visit scenes. She reads from a script based on Fielder’s actual exchanges, and her demeanor shifts dramatically when she encounters Holmes’ accusations.
The documentary also juxtaposes Holmes with Seyfried’s previous work. Fielder has Holmes watch ‘The Dropout’, leading to an emotional breakdown where she requests to stop watching, after which Seyfried is shown her reaction. Holmes previously told The New York Times that she was not offended by the show, as she felt the actors were portraying a character she created rather than her.
The most pointed criticism centers on Seyfried’s changing perspective on Holmes when the focus turns to her own role in the Theranos scandal. Some viewers feel she displays increased sympathy for Holmes, only to become defensive when Holmes questions her portrayal.
Additionally, some viewers express frustration with the film itself. One critic noted that Holmes never confronts the impact of her actions on others, leading to some of that discontent being directed at Seyfried by association.
Tensions escalate during a dinner scene with Holmes’ partner, Billy Evans, where Seyfried and Fielder confront him about a supposed request for a share of the documentary’s profits, and a disagreement regarding Charlie Kirk adds further strain.
Not everyone agrees with the backlash. Some viewers argue that Seyfried’s evolving opinion of Holmes is not hypocrisy but rather an important aspect of the documentary’s broader message. One viewer described her as someone who genuinely grapples with the consequences of her actions, even when she believes she did nothing wrong.
The film itself complicates the narrative, as Seyfried admits she is unsure of the true events in Holmes’ life. She questions whether Fielder is portraying a more sympathetic version of Holmes in the reenactments. This ambiguity leaves viewers pondering whether the on-screen depiction of Holmes is authentic or a dramatized interpretation, blurring the lines between performance and reality.
The teaser trailer ‘YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING,’ a documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim.
Thirty-four days before she’s sent to prison, Elizabeth Holmes invites a skeptical film crew to document her every move.
In theaters this October. https://t.co/LHRvYLXULH
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 7, 2026
Seyfried has not fully engaged with the ongoing conversation. At the Academy Museum’s sixth annual gala in Los Angeles on October 17, she appeared hesitant to discuss Holmes when reporters inquired. Clips of these interactions have circulated on social media, leaving some viewers puzzled.
Fox News Digital has reached out to her representative for comment, but as of now, there has been no public response to the criticism. Given the many unresolved issues the documentary raises, the discussion surrounding her is unlikely to diminish anytime soon.
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