No one likes to feel deceived. However, many people can appreciate a good villain story, especially if the villain is as complex, mysterious and intriguing as the infamous Stanford dropout, Elizabeth Holmes. In recent years, the story of her deceptive persona and her fraudulent company, Theranos, has gripped the American public consciousness. How could such a company fool so many, and how could a once infinitely promising entrepreneurial mastermind fabricate such a thoroughly corrupt scheme? In Hulu’s new miniseries “The Dropout,” show creator Elizabeth Meriwether traces the extravagant rise and fall of Holmes and Theranos through a thoughtfully crafted, carefully stylized lens.

In 2003, 19-year-old Holmes founded Theranos, claiming that her unconventional blood testing machine would completely revolutionize the landscape of medical technology. However, private investors and the general public had no idea that the technology she built her entire career upon simply did not work.

In 2018, Theranos imploded after its executives, Holmes and company president Sunny Balwani (who was also Holmes’ secret boyfriend), were charged with fraud by the SEC. “The Dropout” was released at the perfect time — Holmes was found guilty on four counts of fraud in January 2022 and is currently facing up to 20 years in federal prison. This verdict, of course, comes after over a decade of billion-dollar investments, countless violations of FDA health and safety standards and deep personal detriment to dozens of employees and patients.

While watching “The Dropout,” viewers feel transported into the mid-2000s. The time period is reflected in everything from the deliberately compiled soundtrack, to the costume choices and set design to the evolution of the technology itself. The show also provides interesting insight into Holmes’ life and personality, although it is important for viewers to keep in mind that the portrayal certainly takes creative license to illustrate an ultimately enigmatic and confusing figure.

The incredibly talented Amanda Seyfried stars as Holmes in “The Dropout,” accompanied by fellow powerhouse Naveen Andrews as her secret lover, Balwani. Seyfried adopts Holmes’ mannerisms and unique voice impeccably. Every aspect of her outward appearance is tailored to match the real life version, but Seyfried brings deeper dimensions to the character. She is the ambitious, intense and disingenuous figure that much of the American public has come to perceive, but she also manages to convey a sense of almost endearing awkwardness, particularly when acting Holmes’ younger Stanford days.

The depth of her characterization is also where the show takes its creative liberties — in reality, there is a lot about Holmes that the public simply will never really know. In the first episodes of “The Dropout,” viewers watch Holmes struggle with her experience at Stanford. We know that in real life, she dropped out, but the show provides us with a detailed, behind-closed-doors perspective of her intimate conversations and interactions with family, friends and schoolmates. 

The production is beautifully orchestrated, and the visual reality of  Theranos’ evolution from a one-room, ant-infested Palo Alto office to a sprawling, glass and steel encased workspace emphasizes the vast extent of her deception.

One of the strongest points about the series is the cast performances. Seyfried and Andrews are utterly convincing in their roles, and the supporting characters are just as strong. Stephen Fry shines as Ian Gibbons, former chief scientist at Theranos; he brings a sense of humanity to the show that contrasts with Holmes’ greedy pursuits. William H. Macy and Laurie Metcalf also make appearances, along with Michel Gill, Josh Pais and Alan Ruck. Every single cast member brings their character to life in a vivid, tangible way, humanizing each persona in this complex and deeply entangled tale.

If you enjoy true crime in any form, you will probably enjoy “The Dropout.” The real-life story of Holmes and Theranos alone is intriguing enough to capture attention, and the beautifully portrayed visual aspects of the series are just as enjoyable to watch. “The Dropout” is released weekly on Hulu on Thursdays, with the final episode scheduled to air on April 7. Catch up if you haven’t already and tune in this week for the sixth episode.