Skip to content
MovieCove
The Dropout

The Dropout

She had the world at the tip of her finger.

2022Miniseries1 season8 episodes~50 min/epTV-MAMidcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

The story of Elizabeth Holmes, the enigmatic Stanford dropout who founded medical testing start-up Theranos. Lauded as a Steve Jobs for the next tech generation and once worth billions of dollars, the myth crumbled when it was revealed that none of the tech actually worked, putting thousands of people's health in grave danger.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch The Dropout?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists The Dropout streaming on Hulu.

Subscription

Highlights

What stands out about The Dropout?

The Dropout earns 4 badges, led by Standout acting and Crowd Pleaser.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is The Dropout worth watching?

The Dropout's Midcredits score is the 79th percentile of all shows, from 46K ratings across 2 sources. 86% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

79th percentile

Better received than 79% of shows

68th percentile among Biography83rd percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)69th
Approval (how many liked it)85th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

75 /100

69th percentile of all shows

59th percentile among Biography73rd percentile among 2020s

Rating distribution

Most people land high, with a thin tail of low scores from those it didn't reach.

Approval

How many liked it

86% liked it

85th percentile of all shows

73rd percentile among Biography88th percentile among 2020s
86% rated it 7–1014% rated it 1–6

Reach

How many have seen it

96th percentile

45K ratings across platforms

96th percentile among Biography97th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 31% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

The Dropout is a slickly produced dramatization of the Theranos scandal anchored by Amanda Seyfried's committed performance, though it sacrifices some factual depth for entertainment.

Fans praised

  • Amanda Seyfried's transformative, spot-on lead performance
  • Meticulous attention to period detail, set design, and atmosphere
  • Compelling character-driven arc from ambition to downfall

Detractors panned

  • Writing feels shallow and fails to capture the real story's weight
  • Lead actress's mannerisms and performance grating or unconvincing
  • Rushed final act that glosses over the Theranos collapse

What stands out

ActingDivisive85

Seyfried's spot-on portrayal widely praised for transformation; detractors find her mannerisms annoying

AtmosphereDivisive80

Immersive recreation of Silicon Valley's hype culture and dread

CinematographyDivisive80

Top-notch craft with tricky close-ups and meticulous detail

CharactersDivisive70

Holmes gets a sympathetic arc, supporting cast like Sunny and whistleblowers add depth

TensionDivisive70

Slow-burn dread as fraud escalates, but some say it lacks real stakes

PacingDivisive65

Addictive build-up in early episodes but rushed, anticlimactic final stretch

Plot and storyDivisive60

True-story structure compelling but critics say it rushes the fall and over-dramatizes facts

DialogueDivisive55

Some lines feel inauthentic (e.g., Katy Perry quote) and undercut realism

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 22 points higher than women.

Critics vs users

Preferred by Critics

Critics scored it 27 points higher than users.

No notable difference between the other groups: each pair ranks it within 10 percentile points.

  • Under-30s vs over-30s 7 points apart
  • US vs non-US 7 points apart

Episodes

1 season

Miniseries · 2022 · 8 episodes · 7.2 average across 8 rated episodes

  • S1E1

    I'm in a Hurry

    Mar 3, 202251 minTMDB rating 6.7
  • S1E2

    Satori

    Mar 3, 202252 minTMDB rating 7.0
  • S1E3

    Green Juice

    Mar 3, 202256 minTMDB rating 7.4
  • S1E4

    Old White Men

    Mar 10, 202251 minTMDB rating 7.4
  • S1E5

    Flower of Life

    Mar 17, 202252 minTMDB rating 7.1
  • S1E6

    Iron Sisters

    Mar 24, 202249 minTMDB rating 7.3
  • S1E7

    Heroes

    Mar 31, 202246 minTMDB rating 7.7Season best
  • S1E8

    Lizzy

    Apr 7, 202253 minTMDB rating 7.0Finale

Watch experience

What is The Dropout like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — an even-paced watch that leaves you angry.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseDreadContemplative
Heaviest: late
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.Solemn: Grave and dignified; treats its subject with weight and respect.
Told as
Frame story · 3% of shows: A story told inside another — someone is recounting it.Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedSingle-season story
ToneThe series presents its material with a straight face, treating the tragedy of ambition and deceit with grave seriousness and no irony.
The rideThe series sustains a tense, dreadful atmosphere throughout, with the heaviest emotional weight in the final episodes as the fraud collapses.
StructureThe story is framed by Holmes's deposition in 2017, then unfolds chronologically from her childhood to her conviction, following a classic three-act structure.
Episode formatThe series follows a single continuous story from Theranos's hopeful beginnings to its collapse, with each episode a chapter in the arc.
Season formatThis is a limited series that tells the complete story of Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos in one season.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Infuriating · 4% of shows: Leaves you angry at an injustice the film shows, never at the film.Unsettling
Why it leaves you this wayLeaves you outraged at the harm caused by unchecked ambition and deception.
How it ends · evidence
Tragic ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Tragedy
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18%: Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4% (this title): Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% (this title) · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Tragedy: A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin. · Corruption arc: Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).

4% of shows fit this archetype

Why this archetypeThe series traces Elizabeth Holmes's moral decay as she builds Theranos on a foundation of lies, culminating in her downfall — a classic corruption arc.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfDeception
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% (this title) · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% (this title) · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6% (this title)
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Deception · 6% of showsAmbition · 14% of showsCorruption · 3% of shows
Warns its theme: Presents its theme as a danger or a coming cost.Societal stakes: Consequences reach a whole social order.Single lead
How it treats its themeAt its core, the series is about how ambition fuels a web of lies that corrupts an entire industry.
StanceThe series warns against unchecked ambition and the culture of deception in Silicon Valley, using Holmes's story as a cautionary tale.

The world

Early 21st centuryUrbanInstitutionalRealistic
Orchestral modernExperimentalSupportive music · original score · Anne Nikitin
SettingSilicon Valley and boardrooms across America
MusicThe score uses dissonant strings to mirror the tension and moral decay.

Content guide

Is The Dropout okay for kids?

TV-MA

The Dropout is rated TV-MA. As of October 3, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (17/100), sexual content at moderate (38/100), language at intense (71/100), drug and alcohol content at moderate (42/100) and frightening material at mild (30/100). Overall it is heavier than 11% of TV-MA shows.

Ratings in 30 other countries
  • UK15
  • Canada18+
  • AustraliaM
  • Germany18
  • France18
  • Ireland15
  • South Korea15
  • Brazil14
  • Austria12
  • Belgium16
  • Denmark15
  • FinlandK16
  • Greece16
  • Hungary16
  • IndiaU/A 16+
  • ItalyVM18
  • LU16
  • MexicoB
  • Netherlands16
  • Norway18
  • Poland16
  • Portugal16
  • RO18
  • SingaporeNC16
  • South Africa16
  • Spain18
  • SwedenFrån 15 år
  • Taiwan15+
  • THน 15+
  • Türkiye13+
Overall
Moderate · all five categories
Heavier than 40% of all showsHeavier than 11% of TV-MA shows
Violence & Gore
Mild
light for a TV-MA show
heavier than 6%
Sex & Nudity
Moderate · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 27%
Profanity
Intense · audience split: No severity level holds a majority of voters
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 58%
Alcohol & Drugs
Moderate
typical for a TV-MA show
heavier than 33%
Frightening / Intense
Mild
light for a TV-MA show
heavier than 15%

Point along a line to see a well-known title at that level.

The reason to think twice is language. Everything else sits at or below what TV-MA shows usually carry.

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does The Dropout have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in The Dropout?

Cast

3 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Amanda Seyfried
as Elizabeth Holmes
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Naveen Andrews
as Sunny Balwani
Career best: Their highest-reaching show role by billing, audience size and rating.
Michel Gill
as Chris Holmes
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
William H. Macy
as Richard Fuisz
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Elizabeth Marvel
as Noel Holmes
Sam Waterston
as George Shultz
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Anne Archer
as Charlotte Shultz
Kate Burton
as Rochelle Gibbons
Veteran: 15 or more years in, with as much work as the typical long-career actor.
Stephen Fry
as Ian Gibbons
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.
Bill Irwin
as Channing Robertson

More like this

What are shows like The Dropout?

TMDB's suggestions for shows like The Dropout include The Gold (2023), WeCrashed (2022) and Cupertino (2026).

Like this, but

Explore by

What other shows share a tag with The Dropout?

177 other shows share the rarest tag below, relationship: partners in crime. Each tag opens Browse with the shows that share it.