Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the Silk Road darknet marketplace, will be the focus of a new documentary.
Hollywood filmmakers Blake J. Harris and Jonah Tulis, known for their work on Console Wars, have been working on the project since 2019, gathering over 60 hours of interviews with Ulbricht from his time in federal prison.
The filmmakers also interviewed law enforcement officials involved in the investigation to provide a balanced perspective.
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The documentary, expected to be released in 2025 with Submarine handling global distribution, promises to present a detailed account of Ulbricht’s life and the events surrounding the Silk Road.
According to Harris, the film explores how Ulbricht transitioned from being an Eagle Scout to the subject of a global manhunt.
Co-director Tulis emphasized that the film aims to clear up misconceptions about the platform and its creator. He said:
Silk Road was a phenomenon. But there are many misconceptions about what it was and who Ross really is. Our film is a no-holds-barred look at what really happened and how things wound up spiraling out of control.
Interest in Ulbricht’s story has remained strong, inspiring books, podcasts, and films. His case became a rallying point for libertarians and cryptocurrency enthusiasts, who viewed him as a symbol of personal freedom.
The Silk Road platform, active from 2011 until Ulbricht’s arrest in 2013, was often described as "Amazon for Drugs". Ulbricht was arrested at a public library in San Francisco. He was later convicted of charges including money laundering, hacking, and drug trafficking conspiracy.
On January 21, Ulbricht received a pardon from President Donald Trump after spending over a decade in prison. How? Read the full story.
