# Gibney’s ‘Musk’ Critiques Billionaire’s Image at Venice

- Topic: cinema
- Source: [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/09/musk-review-venice-film-festival-1237070698/)
- Published: 2026-09-08
- Original: https://deadline.com/2026/09/musk-review-venice-film-festival-1237070698/
- Language: en
- Image: https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Musk-courtesy-Venice-Film-Festival.png

## At a glance

- Alex Gibney’s documentary portrays Elon Musk as narcissistic and deceptive, using CGI avatars to dramatize his statements.
- The film accuses Tesla of overstating self‑driving safety, citing fatal accidents and alleged data concealment.
- Musk’s personal life is scrutinized, including his relationships with Justine Musk, Grimes, and influencer Ashley St. Clair.
- The Venice premiere drew attention to Musk’s alleged political influence, with claims he sought to sway the 2024 U.S. election.

## Sources

- [Deadline](https://deadline.com/2026/09/musk-review-venice-film-festival-1237070698/)

## The story

Alex Gibney’s 225‑minute documentary "Musk" premiered at the Venice Film Festival, portraying Elon Musk as a narcissistic, self‑justifying figure. The film uses a CGI avatar to reenact Musk’s own words, highlighting his claims about space exploration and simulation theory. It accuses Tesla of overstating self‑driving safety, citing fatal accidents such as the 2019 Florida incident that killed 22‑year‑old Naibel Benevides Leon. The documentary also alleges that Tesla hid data from the crash and misrepresented battery range, while promising a future network of roadside charging ports. Musk’s personal relationships are examined, from his first marriage to Justine Musk and the death of their son Nevada to his liaisons with Grimes and influencer Ashley St. Clair. St. Clair claims Musk sought to influence the 2024 U.S. election through his Starlink network, a claim the film leaves unverified. The film’s critical tone and investigative depth sparked debate about the billionaire’s public persona and corporate practices.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. [Read the original source](https://deadline.com/2026/09/musk-review-venice-film-festival-1237070698/)