Psychiatrist Uses Holmes Film to Examine Deception Patterns in Women Who Commit Fraud

A forensic psychiatrist analyzes the Elizabeth Holmes documentary through her clinical experience with women convicted of fraud. She explains that psychopathy and manipulation can appear differently in women, sometimes drawing on stereotypes such as the damsel in distress. She cautions that viewers should compare claims in the film with corroborating evidence rather than accepting them at face value.

The documentary follows Elizabeth Holmes, later called Liz, during the month before she entered federal prison. A jury had convicted the Theranos founder of investor fraud. The film is by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, and Holmes states in it that she committed no crime.

Susan Hatters Friedman, a forensic psychiatrist, uses the film to discuss clinical patterns she has seen among women found guilty of financial deception. She stresses that she is not diagnosing anyone. She notes that women with psychopathic traits may exploit stereotypes, including the distressed woman needing rescue, and that fraud narratives often include denial and blame.