A24's unconventional documentary You Can See Everything is shattering expectations, turning a three-hour deep dive into Elizabeth Holmes' psyche into a genuine box office phenomenon. After a record-breaking debut, the film's nationwide expansion has pushed its domestic total to roughly $45 million, placing it just behind Clayface in this weekend's rankings.
The film, co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, chronicles the disgraced Theranos founder's final days before reporting to prison. Holmes' story has been told before—in the Hulu series The Dropout and HBO's The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley—but Fielder's signature approach, blending reality and performance, has made this version a cultural touchstone. A24's clever marketing, which included a covert shoot and a surprise Telluride premiere, only fueled the buzz.
A Historic Run for a Documentary
Opening in just over 800 theaters, You Can See Everything earned $15.6 million in its first weekend. This week, A24 expanded the film to more than 2,650 screens, and it responded with an additional $20 million, bringing its cumulative haul to about $45 million. That's nearly unheard of for a traditional documentary, which typically struggles to reach even $10 million. Only concert films and nature docs—like Fahrenheit 9/11, the all-time leader with $222 million globally—have performed better.
The film's success is a testament to A24's growing box office muscle, following hits like Civil War and The Drama. The studio's horror sensation Backrooms became its highest-grossing release ever, with $400 million worldwide on a $10 million budget. Now, You Can See Everything is following a similar trajectory, albeit in a different genre.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Buzz
Critics have embraced the film, which holds a 98% "Certified Fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus praises Fielder's "ironclad commitment to the bit," calling the movie "an inscrutable Rorschach test of Elizabeth Holmes' psyche that's as absorbing as it is haunting." Such acclaim has sparked reports that A24 will campaign for a Best Picture nomination—a first for a documentary feature.
While Clayface took the top spot this weekend with over $25 million, You Can See Everything is proving that audiences are hungry for ambitious, unconventional storytelling. As the film continues its run, it's clear that this is more than a viral moment—it's a landmark for the documentary genre. Stay tuned for more updates on this remarkable box office story.
