Alex Gibney, widely regarded as one of the most incisive documentary filmmakers of our generation, is set to return with a provocative new project.
Known for his unflinching explorations of corruption, power, and societal fault lines, Gibney has chosen a polarizing and headline-grabbing subject for his next film: the case of Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of murdering Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, on December 4, 2024. The yet-untitled documentary, co-produced by Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions and Anonymous Content, promises to delve into the complexities of the crime, its societal reverberations, and the contentious public response it has ignited.
The killing of Brian Thompson in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan shocked the nation, not only for its audacity but also for the motives attributed to Mangione. Authorities allege that Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland family, meticulously planned the execution, driven by deep-seated resentment toward the U.S. health insurance industry.
Evidence includes a notebook found in Mangione’s possession, with entries expressing hostility toward “parasitic” insurance companies and wealthy executives, and shell casings at the crime scene inscribed with the words “delay,” “deny,” and “depose”—terms often used to criticize insurance companies’ tactics to avoid paying claims.
Mangione, arrested five days after the shooting in Altoona, Pennsylvania, faces a slew of charges, including federal counts of murder, stalking, and firearms offenses, as well as state charges of first-degree murder and terrorism. Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, describing the act as a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination” and an “act of political violence.” Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his legal team has decried the prosecution as a “political stunt,” accusing authorities of turning Mangione into a “human ping-pong ball” between state and federal jurisdictions.
What sets this case apart, and likely drew Gibney’s attention, is the extraordinary public reaction. While the business community reeled and some health insurers removed executive photos from their websites, a significant portion of the public — particularly younger and more liberal demographics—has rallied behind Mangione.
Social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support, with hashtags like #FreeLuigi shared widely. Supporters view Mangione as a folk hero, a symbol of resistance against a health insurance industry notorious for denying claims — UnitedHealthcare alone rejects about 32% of claims, double the industry average. Polls reflect this divide: a December 2024 survey found 43% of Americans held an unfavorable view of Mangione, while 21% viewed him favorably, with younger and progressive respondents more likely to support him.
This polarized response has fueled debates about vigilante justice and the deep frustrations with America’s for-profit healthcare system. A December 2024 poll found that most Americans believe insurance companies’ claim denials and profits bear significant responsibility for Thompson’s death, a sentiment echoed in street art, protests, and even a satirical comedy musical about Mangione. Gibney’s documentary is poised to unpack these tensions, exploring “how killers are created, what this killing says about our society, and the values we place on who lives and who dies.”
Gibney’s track record suggests he will approach the subject with his signature rigor. His previous works, such as *Taxi to the Dark Side*, which won an Academy Award for its exposé on U.S. military torture, and *The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley*, about Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scandal, demonstrate his ability to weave individual stories into broader critiques of systemic failures.
His films on Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the COVID-19 pandemic further showcase his knack for dissecting power structures and societal flashpoints. For those eager to dive into Gibney’s oeuvre while awaiting the Mangione documentary, these titles offer a compelling primer on his investigative style.
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The Mangione project, greenlit by Hulu, is already in production, though it remains unclear whether Gibney will direct it himself or opt for an episodic series format. Given his history, the film is unlikely to be a mere true-crime retelling. Instead, it will likely probe the deeper forces at play — public rage, healthcare inequities, and the cultural lionization of a murder suspect. As Gibney himself stated, “People who think they know the story will be surprised and moved by the details hiding behind the headlines.”
As Mangione’s legal battles unfold — his federal case carries the possibility of a death sentence, while his state charges could lead to life without parole—the documentary will likely serve as a cultural Rorschach test, reflecting America’s divided views on justice, healthcare, and morality. Whether you see Mangione as a villain or a vigilante, Gibney’s lens will undoubtedly challenge assumptions and spark conversation. In a nation grappling with systemic failures, this film could be one of Gibney’s most resonant yet.
