Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ Turns Documentary Into a Four‑Hour Regulatory Hearing

Alex Gibney’s latest documentary, *Musk*, opens with a dry, almost bureaucratic feel that makes the film resemble a regulatory briefing more than a traditional biopic. The nearly four‑hour runtime mirrors the exhaustive depth of the research, which draws on interviews, internal memos and a trove of documents.

Rather than delivering a glossy hero’s journey, Gibney presents the material with the restraint of a seasoned analyst, letting the facts speak for themselves. The result is a damning picture of Elon Musk’s ascent, highlighting the complex web of approvals, loopholes and public statements that have shaped his empire.

Critics have praised the documentary’s depth and its willingness to interrogate the billionaire’s influence, while noting that it adds little new to a story that has been under intense media scrutiny for years. Gibney’s own evolution—from a neutral observer to a pointed critic of Musk—shines through, giving the film a tone that feels more like a policy review than a celebratory tribute.

The film concludes without a tidy verdict, leaving the audience to ponder the ongoing regulatory and ethical questions surrounding Musk’s ventures. In that sense, *Musk* is less a final judgment and more an invitation to keep the conversation going.