The Forge has acquired North American distribution rights and international sales rights to “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money,” the directorial debut of “The OC,” “Gotham” and “Southland” star Ben McKenzie.
The film is based on “Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud,” a best-selling book that McKenzie co-authored with Jacob Silverman. “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money” had its world premiere at SXSW London 2025. It will be released in theaters on April 17.
In “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money,” McKenzie turns investigator, pulling back the curtain on the cryptocurrency industry and the culture of hype, misinformation and speculation that fueled its explosive rise. According to the official description, “What began as a promise of financial freedom has evolved into a volatile ecosystem rife with fraud and reckless gambling, carrying with it devastating consequences for everyday people.” The film draws on firsthand reporting, as well as expert interviews, to trace how crypto became one of the most aggressively marketed financial products of the modern era — and how warning signs were ignored, dismissed or deliberately obscured. “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money” was produced by McKenzie and Giogio Angelini.
“We all know how hard it is to get butts in seats these days. I console myself with the fact that if we can somehow manage not to lose $50 million, ‘Everyone Is Lying to You for Money’ will be more profitable than ‘Melania,’” McKenzie said in a statement, a nod to Amazon’s pricey acquisition of a doc on Melania Trump. “Partnering with Mark and his excellent team at The Forge, I’m optimistic we can accomplish that ambitious goal.”
“In a moment when financial systems, digital markets and public trust are all under scrutiny, Ben has delivered a film that feels both urgent and darkly funny,” said Mark Mathias Sayre, CEO of The Forge. “’Everyone Is Lying to You for Money’ doesn’t just revisit the crypto boom, it interrogates the culture that allowed it to thrive. We believe it’s exactly the kind of bold, conversation-starting documentary that belongs in theaters and beyond.”
The deal was negotiated by Amy Beecroft (Verve), McKenzie (Easy Money Productions) and Nicholas Marell (Philips Marell LLP) on behalf of the filmmakers, and Mark Sayre, Steve Swadling and Decker Sadowski on behalf of The Forge.
variety.com
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