For many of us, Ben McKenzie will forever be associated with the brooding Ryan Atwood from The O.C.. But in the years since leaving Newport Beach, McKenzie’s career has taken an unexpected turn.
After roles in series like Gotham and Southland, the actor has stepped into the world of investigative journalism with Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, a new documentary examining the rise of — and many scandals associated with — cryptocurrency. The film marks McKenzie’s directorial debut and expands on the reporting he began while co-writing his book about the crypto boom and its culture of exploitation.
For anyone curious about the murky world McKenzie is investigating, here’s where you can watch it.
Where can you watch it?
The film first premiered at SXSW London in 2025 before appearing at a number of other documentary-focused festivals, including Mill Valley Film Festival and DOC NYC, and is still currently touring the festival circuit.
It's also airing at Miami Film Festival on April 11, with tickets currently available here. Mackenzie is also slated to appear for an extended conversation following the screening.
International distribution for the documentary has been acquired by The Forge, and a cinema release is planned to kick off on 17 April 2026.
In Australia, we're expecting Everyone Is Lying to You for Money to pop up at independent cinemas across the country. In Sydney, cinemas such as Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace and Golden Age Cinema are known for their documentary and festival programming, so keep an eye out for their new releases.
We'll also keep you updated when Everyone Is Lying to You for Money becomes available to purchase or stream online.
What is Everyone Is Lying to You for Money about?
If the title wasn't a giveaway, in Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, McKenzie trades acting for reporting, taking a closer look at the culture that fuelled the cryptocurrency boom. The film explores how online hype, celebrity endorsements and internet culture has helped turn digital coins into a financial phenomenon almost overnight, while also creating a system that many critics argue was built on speculation.
The film features interviews with journalists, insiders and industry sceptics in its attempt to unpack how crypto’s promise of financial revolution evolved into a series of market collapses, scandals and unanswered questions.
Watch the trailer
