Actor and documentary filmmaker Ben McKenzie may be best known for his roles in The O.C. and Gotham, but he has recently pivoted toward a far more volatile drama involving the world of cryptocurrency. In his new film, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, McKenzie explores the mechanisms behind digital currencies and the psychological grip they hold over investors. He argues that rather than being the future of finance, crypto represents an outdated model of speculation that history has already proven to be flawed.
The core of McKenzie’s investigation centers on what he describes as a cult-like atmosphere surrounding these assets. He highlights how high-profile figures can influence millions through simple marketing tactics, citing former President Donald Trump’s foray into meme coins as a primary example. According to McKenzie, such tokens are often nothing more than meaningless strings of computer code sold on the promise of overnight wealth, leaving countless ordinary people financially devastated when the bubble inevitably bursts.
Beyond the celebrity endorsements, McKenzie sought out the architects of the industry’s biggest failures, including an interview with disgraced FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried shortly before his legal downfall. However, some of the most striking parts of his research come from his conversations with everyday individuals who lost their life savings yet remain steadfast believers in the technology. This paradox suggests that for many, cryptocurrency is less about financial logic and more about a desperate hope for escape from traditional economic systems.