Documentary Review: Everyone Is Lying to You for Money.

by Henry Pham

Everyone Is Lying to You for Money is a documentary that explores cryptocurrency. It also features actor Ben McKenzie, who turns himself into a crypto investigator, pulling back the curtain on the cryptocurrency industry and the culture of hype, misinformation, and speculation that fueled its explosive rise. What began as a promise of financial freedom has evolved into a volatile ecosystem rife with fraud and reckless gambling, carrying with it devastating consequences for everyday people.

This documentary is engaging and informative but not suitable for young children. If you plan to watch, please ensure children are in another room. Although a documentary, its narrative has the feel of an underdog story. Notably, McKenzie co-wrote the 2023 book Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud with journalist Jacob Silverman. For those unfamiliar, cryptocurrency is a digital asset that uses distributed ledger (or blockchain) technology to enable secure transactions. Despite the name, cryptocurrencies are not considered legitimate currencies and are treated as securities or commodities in various cases and jurisdictions.

Austin-born actor Ben McKenzie, known for his role as James “Jim” Gordon in Fox’s Gotham(2014-2019), produces, writes, and directs the film, and also appears as himself. His wife, actress Morena Baccarin (Deadpool films, Fox’s Firefly), also stars. Everyone Is Lying to You for Money is his passion project beyond acting. The film draws on news reports, interviews with celebrities and financial officers, and examines major controversies and scandals, the latter of which are unsettling and difficult to understand. It also explores how cryptocurrency became one of the most aggressively marketed financial products in recent years, highlighting the rapid pace of scams, financial concerns, and technological advancement.

Everyone Is Lying to You for Money is a powerful 90-minute documentary about Bitcoin and cryptocurrency that teaches people to be aware of money. As mentioned, it’s engaging, informative, hilarious, and well-written. McKenzie and his team really made this project possible. The interviews and the new footage are the highlights of the film, but McKenzie’s direction deserves recognition. I was too nervous to watch this, but I decided to roll with it, since I’m a film critic who has commitment of watching and reviewing so many movies (including documentaries). This is not just a documentary about cryptocurrency. It is about belief and persuasion.

GRADE: A–