Nathan Fielder’s You Can See Everything is doing something almost unheard of: turning a documentary into a box office sensation.
The A24 film, co-directed by Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, follows disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in the weeks before she enters prison. With its unusual approach to truth, deception and the stories people tell about themselves, the film has captivated audiences, grossing more than $80 million in North America and becoming one of the most successful documentaries in recent history.
But perhaps its biggest achievement is reminding moviegoers just how fascinating real life can be.
And if You Can See Everything has left you craving more stories about complicated people, hidden identities and unexpected revelations, there are some remarkable gay documentaries streaming on Dekkoo that deserve your attention.
The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell
What happens when someone you thought you knew turns out to have lived an entirely different life?
The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell explores the extraordinary story of an influential figure in the punk music scene who carefully concealed much of his personal history, relationships and sexuality.
Through archival footage and revealing interviews, the film pieces together the many sides of a man who remained something of a mystery even to those closest to him.
It’s a fascinating exploration of identity, secrecy and the difference between who we are and who we allow others to see.
Jimmy in Saigon
Some family mysteries take decades to unravel.
In Jimmy in Saigon, filmmaker Peter McDowell investigates the mysterious death of his older brother, a Vietnam veteran who died in Saigon at just 24 years old.
What begins as a deeply personal search for answers gradually reveals long-hidden truths about sexuality, family and a life cut tragically short.
Part detective story, part emotional family portrait, it’s the kind of documentary that stays with you long after the credits roll.
The Capote Tapes
Truman Capote made a career out of observing people. Unfortunately, revealing their secrets eventually became his undoing.
The Capote Tapes examines the legendary gay writer’s remarkable rise and dramatic downfall, particularly the scandal surrounding his unfinished novel Answered Prayers, which exposed the private lives of New York’s social elite.
Featuring previously unheard recordings and interviews with friends and enemies, the film reveals a brilliant, complicated personality whose fascination with secrets proved irresistible and ultimately destructive.
Sometimes the Truth Is More Fascinating Than Fiction
The phenomenal success of You Can See Everything proves that audiences don’t need fictional twists or Hollywood spectacle to be captivated. Sometimes, the most compelling stories are the ones that actually happened.
From hidden lives and family mysteries to unforgettable cultural figures, LGBTQ+ documentary filmmaking has been telling these stories for generations.
And these three films are just the beginning.
Explore More Gay Documentaries on Dekkoo and discover extraordinary true stories from the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
