The Series Explores The Zizians, A Group of Young, Enigmatic Technologists Whose Extremist Ideology Around AI Drew National Attention
- HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on a multi-part documentary series exploring the Zizians, an enigmatic group of young technologists who garnered national attention in 2025 after law enforcement linked members of the group to a series of violent crimes across the country. Based on reporting by Tessa Stuart for Rolling Stone, the series, directed by Matthew Galkin (“One Night in Idaho,” “Murder in the Bayou,”) and produced by XTR in collaboration with Rolling Stone Films, will debut on HBO and be available to stream on HBO Max.
- Synopsis: The untitled access-driven series will trace the group’s origins and evolution, examining how it formed, operated, and attracted attention for its extreme ideology and alleged violence. It will explore the Zizians’ unusual convergence of AI safety concerns, radical veganism, and the broader cultural and technological forces that helped shape its trajectory.
- Credits: Directed by Matthew Galkin; showrunner and executive producer, Jenna M. Kelly; for XTR, executive producers, Justin Lacob, Matthew Cherchio, and Bryn Mooser; for Rolling Stone Films, executive producers, Alexandra Dale and Tessa Stuart; executive producer, Zackary Drucker.