The past decade has seen an explosion of documentaries about the entertainment industry. Films like The Beatles: Eight Days a Week (2016), The Defiant Ones (2017), and Free Solo (2018) have captivated audiences with their intimate portraits of famous musicians, filmmakers, and athletes. These documentaries have not only shed light on the creative processes of their subjects but have also provided a unique perspective on the highs and lows of fame.

: Every good story needs a central tension, such as an independent artist competing against major studios.

The next wave of entertainment documentaries will likely see the subjects fighting back. We are already seeing "counter-docs" produced by the celebrities themselves. Miss Americana (Taylor Swift) and Homecoming (Beyoncé) are self-directed rebrandings—essentially, the entertainment documentary as a press release. The question is: which version will we trust?