The Altruists on Netflix: the true story of FTX and Sam Bankman-Fried
Julia Garner and Anthony Boyle play Caroline Ellison and Sam Bankman-Fried in a limited series about the collapse of FTX. The background you need before watching.
On November 19, 2026, Netflix launches The Altruists, a limited series about one of the biggest collapses in financial history: FTX. Julia Garner (Ozark) plays Caroline Ellison and Anthony Boyle plays Sam Bankman-Fried. Netflix bills them as "Gen Z's own Bonnie and Clyde".
What was FTX?
FTX was a cryptocurrency exchange founded in 2019 by Sam Bankman-Fried, often called "SBF". In a few years, it became one of the largest in the world. Its founder, young, in a T-shirt with messy hair, was presented as a genius and a philanthropist.
Why "The Altruists"?
SBF claimed to follow effective altruism, a movement that encourages earning a lot of money in order to give it to the most useful causes. The title plays on the contradiction between a generous discourse and the reality of the case.
The fall
In November 2022, FTX collapsed in a matter of days. It emerged that customer funds had been used by Alameda Research, an affiliated firm run by Caroline Ellison. Billions of dollars were missing. SBF was arrested, then sentenced in 2024 to 25 years in prison for fraud. Caroline Ellison, who cooperated with prosecutors, was also sentenced to prison.
Should you watch it?
If you liked The Social Network, The Big Short or Inventing Anna, it's for you. These true stories of fallen geniuses play like thrillers. And the limited-series format means you can watch it all in one weekend.