In a striking 2021 Super Bowl advertisement, actor Matt Damon declares, “Fortune favors the brave” while showcasing humanity’s remarkable achievements. Flashes of crypto.com appear, subtly implying that anyone can accomplish something monumental. For Ben McKenzie, this was the pivotal moment of realization.

In his thought-provoking documentary, Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, McKenzie reveals his genuine shock while watching this ad on TV. His personal journey—from actor with an economics degree to a critical voice against cryptocurrency wrongdoings—is both enlightening and entertaining. McKenzie captures his audience with a charming, self-deprecating humor, sharing his astonishment at the survival of the biggest players in the crypto scandals over the years.

The film chronicles the evolution of cryptocurrencies, tying it to the erosion of trust that followed the 2008 financial crisis. McKenzie rigorously explores what looks increasingly like a grand scam, targeting fraudulent billionaires heading crypto exchanges and interviewing major players in the gaming industry. Notably, he addresses legal consequences, including Alexander Mashinsky, ex-CEO of now-defunct platform Celsius, and Sam Bankman-Fried, founder of the imploded crypto exchange FTX, both of whom have raised significant alarms within the industry.

Moreover, he casts a critical eye on Hollywood elites jumping onto the ambiguous crypto bandwagon and empathizes with everyday investors who still cling to the belief that cryptocurrency represents the future of finance, despite severe losses.

“Cryptocurrency is not the future of money; it is its past, and engaging with it could be perilous,” McKenzie asserted during a Q&A session post-screening, a sentiment echoed throughout the film. He argues that scams have plagued monetary systems since their inception. Furthermore, he points out the linguistic deception, referring to “selling an idea”; alleging that so-called stablecoins lack true stability and asserting that these digital currencies are not even genuinely decentralized—they lack regulatory oversight. “There are no assets here, only lines of code,” he states emphatically.

McKenzie’s contempt for the deceit surrounding cryptocurrency shines through in both the film and his real-life engagements. Unafraid to address fellow actors endorsing cryptocurrencies, he humorously notes how Matt Damon garners undue attention. When asked about Damon’s reception of the film, McKenzie quipped, “I haven’t heard from him, but I spotted him in Brooklyn once,” while playfully imitating a shy bow. “Sorry, Matt,” he laughed, confidently implying that Damon will navigate the scrutiny just fine.

Everyone Is Lying to You for Money is set for a limited release in the US, with plans for a UK release later this year.