A24’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary scores $15 million in surprise debut

A24’s 'You Can See Everything' earns $15 million as Elizabeth Holmes memes fuel its viral box office success.

A24’s documentary You Can See Everything, featuring disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and comedian Nathan Fielder, has made a strong debut at the domestic box office, earning $15 million in its opening weekend.

Directed by Lance Oppenheim and co-directed by Fielder, the three-hour documentary follows Holmes and her controversial business history. Its unexpected release, secretive production and viral social media campaign helped attract audiences, particularly younger moviegoers.

According to Deadline, the film recorded more than 2,000 sold-out screenings and delivered the second-biggest opening weekend for a documentary in the domestic box office market, behind Michael Moore’s 2004 film Fahrenheit 9/11, which opened with $23.9 million.

The documentary also achieved the strongest opening for a film released in fewer than 1,000 locations since Borat debuted in 2006. Its success comes as A24 continues to build a reputation for unconventional marketing strategies that encourage audiences to drive online conversations.

Around 70% of the film’s opening-weekend audience was under 25, according to Deadline. The audience was also split 56% men and 44% women, while 44% of viewers attended with a partner.

Social media memes featuring Fielder and Holmes helped fuel interest in the documentary, drawing comparisons with the online excitement surrounding Barbie and the Barbenheimer phenomenon.

The film was developed largely in secrecy over four years and premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on September 6, with its teaser released as the screening took place. A24 later released a trailer featuring Fielder questioning Holmes about whether she believed she had done anything wrong.

Critical reception has also been strong, with the documentary earning a 99% critics’ score and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to Deadline.

Following its limited release, You Can See Everything is set to expand into more theatres, as A24 looks to build on its unexpected box office success.