De Niro Introduces Musk Documentary in Manhattan
Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal joined a Sunday screening of Alex Gibney's Musk at the Crosby Hotel.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Documentary
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Robert De Niro introduced the documentary Musk at a Sunday screening at the Crosby Hotel in Manhattan, alongside Jane Rosenthal. During his remarks he cited Elon Musk's political spending and commented on Tesla's announcement that it will end Cybertruck production next summer.
Why it matters
The appearance highlights how the film's subject, Elon Musk's political involvement and business influence, continues to draw public attention in New York City and the film community. The film's festival run and upcoming screenings show sustained interest in the documentary.
The documentary runs 3 hours 52 minutes and has grossed over $700,000 at the domestic box office, with no comparator provided for that figure. Reported political spending figures cited in the film include about $300 million on the 2024 Trump election and close to half a billion dollars on Republicans in a recent election, but the source of those figures is not identified.
The players
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro is an Academy Award-winning American actor and filmmaker known for films such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.
Jane Rosenthal
Jane Rosenthal is an American film producer and co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival alongside Robert De Niro.
Alex Gibney
Alex Gibney is an Academy Award-winning American documentary filmmaker known for investigative films on corporate and political subjects.
Tesla
Tesla is an American electric vehicle and clean energy company led by Elon Musk, known for its Model S, Model 3, and Cybertruck vehicles.
The details
Bleecker Street released Musk theatrically, and the film is available on VOD platforms. Directed by Alex Gibney, it premiered at the Venice Film Festival and has screened at the Toronto, Camden, Zurich, and BFI London film festivals.
Timeline
Sunday: Musk screening at the Crosby Hotel in Manhattan with De Niro and Rosenthal.
This week: Musk screens at DOC NYC.
This month: Musk is scheduled to screen at IDFA in Amsterdam.
Next summer: Tesla ends production of the Cybertruck.
Industry Dynamics
The film's path from its Venice Film Festival premiere through Toronto, Camden, Zurich, and BFI London screenings to theatrical release by Bleecker Street and VOD availability reflects the standard festival-to-release pipeline for prestige documentaries. Its inclusion on the DOC NYC shortlist and the IDFA screening place it within the documentary festival circuit that determines awards visibility for independent nonfiction films.
Viewers can watch Musk on VOD platforms now, and the film's 3 hour 52 minute runtime should be factored into viewing plans. Upcoming festival screenings at DOC NYC and IDFA offer in-person access before the film's broader availability expands.
The takeaway
Watching Musk on VOD or at a festival screening is the most direct way to see how the documentary frames Elon Musk's political spending and business decisions. Checking festival schedules before planning a viewing can help secure an in-person screening.
What happens next
Musk screens at DOC NYC this week and at IDFA in Amsterdam later this month. Tesla will end Cybertruck production next summer.
Further reading
For more on the nonfiction films shaping the conversation, see Documentary coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deadline.
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