HBO to air documentary 'Musk' exploring Elon Musk's influence on society

Elon Musk will be the subject of a new four‑hour, two‑part documentary titled “Musk,” directed by Oscar‑winning filmmaker Alex Gibney, with a trailer released this week and a broadcast debut slated for the fall on HBO. The film, which follows Musk’s rise from a South African teenager to the billionaire behind Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and the social‑media platform X, promises an “incisive look” at what Rolling Stone calls “the wealthiest, and most unchecked, man on the planet.” The trailer shows Musk at a SpaceX launch, in a Tesla factory and in a heated boardroom, hinting at a mix of triumph and controversy.

The documentary arrives at a moment when Musk’s public profile is higher than ever and his actions are under intense scrutiny. In the past 12 months he has overseen a chaotic takeover of Twitter (now X), faced multiple investigations into Tesla’s autopilot claims, and pushed forward with ambitious projects such as the Starship rocket and a brain‑computer interface. Critics argue his influence shapes markets, politics and culture with little oversight, while supporters point to his role in accelerating electric vehicles and private spaceflight. Gibney, known for probing subjects like “The Social Dilemma” and “Going Clear,” says the film aims to explore how Musk’s personal vision collides with the real‑world consequences of his companies.

The series will air in two one‑hour episodes on HBO, with a streaming release on HBO Max the following day. Early reactions from industry insiders suggest the documentary could become a reference point for debates about tech power and regulation. Analysts expect the film to spark renewed calls for antitrust reviews of Tesla and SpaceX, and it may influence shareholders as the companies prepare for upcoming earnings reports. Gibney has hinted that additional footage could be released as a companion piece, keeping the conversation alive well beyond the initial broadcast.