Ben McKenzie’s Debut Doc Earns Rave Texas Monthly Review
Money myths dissected in a new feature, lauded by critics for its investigative approach!!
Image: Instagram
The Review Roundup
Ben McKenzie’s first foray behind the camera is already turning heads. In a recent post, McKenzie shared a snippet from Texas Monthly’s review of Everyone Is Lying to You for Money: “One of the best documentaries in years.” The succinct praise set social feeds alight, marking a high-water mark for a project three years in the making.
A Three-year Labor Of Love
The Instagram image accompanying McKenzie’s announcement shows the actor-director holding a promotional still from his film, framed against a backdrop of vintage banknotes. Viewers get a glimpse of the documentary’s sleek visual style and McKenzie’s hands-on involvement—from conception to editing bay.
From Gotham To Documentary Director
Known for his roles on The OC and Gotham, McKenzie has spent the past three years investigating the hidden forces that shape our understanding of wealth. In an earlier Instagram post, he invited fans to his SXSW London premiere: “EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU FOR MONEY is premiering at @sxswlondon! So excited for peeps to see the film I’ve spent 3 years making. 🎥 ⏺” That screening sold out in under 24 hours, underscoring growing interest in his new creative direction.
Studio Insights And Side Projects
Before the festival run, McKenzie sat down in the studio with @dansolomon to discuss his directorial debut and the book he co-wrote with Jonathan Silverman, Easy Money. His November post read: “@mrbenmckenzie is in the studio! 👏 We’re chatting about his new documentary ‘Everyone Is Lying to You for Money’ 🎥 which he directed and stars in. Plus, we’ll speak to him about his book ‘Easy Money’ that he cowrote with Jonathan Silverman back in 2023📚.” Fans got an early look at McKenzie’s research process and storytelling approach, which blend personal interviews with razor-sharp editing.
Inside The Film
Everyone Is Lying to You for Money delves into modern financial myths—from get-rich-quick schemes to the psychology of spending. McKenzie interviews former hedge-fund managers, underground artists who barter services for crypto, and families affected by economic misinformation. The result is a narrative that balances investigative rigor with human stories, a combination Texas Monthly singled out as exceptional.
What’s Next
As word spreads, McKenzie is already fielding offers to screen the documentary at film festivals across North America and Europe. He’s also in talks for a companion podcast series to dive deeper into the film’s themes, giving audiences another platform to unpack the money myths that shape our world.
McKenzie’s leap from scripted drama to documentary filmmaking proves that curiosity can open new chapters. With glowing early reviews and an eager audience, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money is poised to become one of the year’s most talked-about nonfiction releases.
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