Larry Ellison’s Tentacular Spectacular
Plus: Elizabeth Holmes For You
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October 1, 2026

Behind every billionaire trying to eat the media, there is an even bigger billionaire who’s already wiped his plate clean. I’m speaking, of course, about David and Larry Ellison, the dynamic son-father duo currently leaving their fingerprints all over our information ecosystem. Tom Dotan takes a deep dive into Ellison père in Vanity Fair’s New Establishment issue, traveling to Lanai—the entire Hawaiian island Larry literally owns—and examining the mogul’s fascination with a certain cephalopod. Maybe the elder Ellison just really loved Remarkably Bright Creatures?


Elsewhere, it’s a double feature from me: First, an exegesis on how Zoe Kazan and Florence Pugh changed the end of East of Eden for their Netflix adaptation, and second, my account of attending the New York Film Festival’s one and only screening of You Can See Everything—the Elizabeth Holmes documentary by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim that will melt your brain. No spoilers, but: Once you’ve seen it, I’d love to discuss. Plus, VF announces a new event series: the VF Screening Room, coming soon to a city near you. (If you live near New York or Los Angeles.) More tomorrow!

HILLARY BUSIS
FEATURES EDITOR

The $200 billion software titan has suctioned himself to many hubs of influence—from data centers to TikTok to Hollywood studios to the Oval Office itself. Tom Dotan dives deep into Ellison’s kingdom, starting on the island enclave of Lanai. Read more


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SPOILER ALERT

 

Florence Pugh and Zoe Kazan Explain East of Eden’s Ending

 

By Hillary Busis

 

A spoiler-filled breakdown of Cathy’s fate in the new Netflix series, and why it’s different from the ending John Steinbeck originally wrote for her. Read more

FILM

 

Making the Elizabeth Holmes Doc Fried Nathan Fielder’s and Lance Oppenheim’s Brains

 

By Hillary Busis

 

The pair told a packed house on Wednesday that they’re still recovering: “Just literally, the laws of reality and everything we thought was going on outside just evaporated.” Read more

 
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HOLLYWOOD

 

Vanity Fair Announces the First Annual Screening Room With Julianne Moore, Matt Damon, Penélope Cruz, and More

 

By John Ross

 

With screenings and conversations featuring Pedro Pascal, Ava DuVernay, Andrew Scott, and more actors and filmmakers, VF brings audiences closer to the films shaping the 2026 awards season. Read more


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