A24’s ‘You Can See Everything’ Becomes a Box Office and Critical Phenomenon

Key points

• The film grossed $15 million in its opening weekend, ranking second behind Paramount’s 'Street Fighter' adaptation.
• It is the largest debut for a film playing on fewer than 1,000 screens since 2006’s 'Borat.'
• The documentary features a unique structure, including a two-year time jump and meta-commentary on truth and perception.
• Critics have praised the film as a 'modern masterpiece of deceit' and a 'mind-bending revelation.'
• The film is being discussed as a potential contender for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Background

The release of 'You Can See Everything' marks a significant turnaround for A24, which had faced financial struggles earlier in 2026. The film’s success is part of a broader trend of Hollywood productions critically examining Silicon Valley figures, following the 2022 Hulu mini-series 'The Dropout,' which starred Amanda Seyfried as Holmes. The documentary’s secretive marketing campaign and word-of-mouth buzz have driven its unprecedented performance.

How outlets are covering it

BBC and CNN both highlight the film’s historic box office performance, with CNN emphasizing its 99% Rotten Tomatoes score and record-high 4.8 rating on Letterboxd. Defector’s review focuses on the film’s narrative structure, praising its blend of intimate observation and philosophical inquiry, while noting the controversial inclusion of Holmes’s partner Billy Evans. All sources agree on the film’s critical acclaim, but Defector offers a more nuanced view of its artistic merits, contrasting with the more straightforward box office focus of BBC and CNN.

Why it matters

The success of 'You Can See Everything' demonstrates the enduring public fascination with Elizabeth Holmes and the Theranos scandal, nearly a decade after her conviction. It also highlights the potential for documentaries to achieve mainstream commercial success, challenging traditional notions of the genre’s marketability. The film’s critical acclaim and box office performance may influence future projects examining high-profile frauds and Silicon Valley culture.

What to watch

The film is set to expand to a wide release next weekend, with expectations of continued strong performance. It is also being discussed as a potential contender for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, though no documentary has ever been nominated for Best Picture. A24 is likely to leverage the film’s success to bolster its reputation and financial standing in the industry.