A documentary examining disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and her defunct medical technology company generated an estimated $15 million during its opening weekend in the United States. Distributed by A24, the film titled You Can See Everything demonstrated strong theatrical demand despite a limited initial release across 855 screens.
Directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, the nearly three-hour feature recorded more than 2,000 sold-out screenings nationwide. According to box office estimates reported by The New York Times, the Friday-through-Sunday earnings established it as one of the largest opening performances this century for a film debuting on fewer than 1,000 screens. The project’s performance places it directly behind Michael Moore’s 2004 release Fahrenheit 9/11, making it the highest-grossing nonmusical documentary to reach theaters in over two decades.
Inside the Unique Production and Access
The documentary follows Holmes across two distinct periods: the month before she entered federal prison for crimes related to Theranos, and two years into her 11-year prison sentence. Filmmakers secured extensive access to Holmes and her family during the weeks leading up to her October 2023 surrender. Holmes and her partner, hotel heir Billy Evans, reportedly requested that the production document their lives with their two young children before her incarceration.
Co-director Nathan Fielder, known for his work on meta-comedy projects like The Rehearsal, admitted during a New York Film Festival question-and-answer session that he struggled to process the gravity of the access. “I am still struggling to this day to understand what I went through,” Fielder told the audience.
Box Office Context and Critical Reception
The film’s $15 million haul doubled its initial projected $7 million budget, securing second place at the weekend box office behind Paramount’s video game adaptation Street Fighter, which opened at $31 million. The documentary’s per-screen average reached a remarkable $17,544.
Critical response to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, with reviewers praising its unconventional structure. Some critics have labeled the film “unmissable” and “off the charts bonkers,” sparking early industry speculation regarding potential Academy Award recognition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did You Can See Everything make in its opening weekend?
The documentary grossed an estimated $15 million at the North American box office during its opening weekend across 855 screens.
Who directed the Elizabeth Holmes documentary?
The film was co-directed by Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim.
What periods of Elizabeth Holmes’ life does the film cover?
The documentary follows Holmes during the month before she began her 11-year federal prison sentence in 2023, as well as two years into her time behind bars.
How does the film’s box office debut rank historically?
It ranks as the second-highest-grossing nonmusical documentary debut of the century, trailing only Michael Moore’s 2004 film Fahrenheit 9/11.
Is the documentary connected to any major studio?
Yes, the film was backed and distributed by A24, following a secret three-year production schedule.
