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Welcome to Me
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Welcome to Me
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShira Piven
Written byEliot Laurence
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyEric Alan Edwards
Edited by
Music byDavid Robbins
Production
companies
Distributed byAlchemy
Release dates
  • September 5, 2014 (2014-09-05) (TIFF)
  • May 1, 2015 (2015-05-01) (United States)
Running time
87 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$636,819[2]

Welcome to Me is a 2014 American comedy-drama film directed by Shira Piven and written by Eliot Laurence. The film stars Kristen Wiig as Alice Klieg, a lottery winner with borderline personality disorder who uses her newfound wealth to write and star in her own syndicated talk show. The cast includes James Marsden, Linda Cardellini and Wes Bentley. The film was released on May 1, 2015, in a limited release,[3] receiving generally positive reviews from critics.

Plot

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Alice Klieg, a mentally ill single woman living on disability benefits and fan of Oprah Winfrey, wins the California Stack Sweepstakes lottery jackpot of $86 million. She appears on the local TV news celebrating her win but is upset when the speech she prepared is abruptly cut off after she mentions using masturbation as a sedative. She discontinues her medication against the advice of her psychiatrist, Daryl Moffat, and moves into a casino hotel with her best friend Gina Selway.

During a vitamin supplement infomercial presented by Gabe Ruskin, Alice, who is in the studio audience, responds to his request for a volunteer, hijacks the broadcast, and tries to recite her speech once again (although is again cut off by the director). Gabe's brother Rich, the co-owner and manager of the studio, introduces himself and arranges a meeting to discuss Alice's idea for a TV show at which time Alice writes a check for $15 million to pay for 100 live-broadcast, two-hour episodes of a vanity show about herself titled Welcome to Me.

Gabe is nonplussed over the show's aimless premise; but after Alice takes him on a date, they promptly have sex and begin a relationship. During the first episode, Alice announces she has given up her medication and includes a silent five-minute segment of herself eating meatloaf cake with mashed sweet potato icing and a live re-enactment of a scene from her past (with actors wearing name-cards playing her and a friend who had betrayed her in high school).

After seeing a recording, Alice decides the show looks too inexpensive and writes another check to bring the production values more in line with The Oprah Winfrey Show. The studio set is revamped to include a rotating stage and a replica of her house.

As the show grows in popularity, her friends and family become alienated by her non-flattering depictions of them in her sketches. Rainer Ybarra, a graduate student and fan of the show, interviews Alice about her rising stardom, and the two go on a date which ends with her fellating him in her limousine. Their tryst is revealed on air much to Gabe's fury.

While recovering from burns sustained in a cooking accident on the show, Alice decides to introduce a new theme of neutering dogs on the show utilizing her six years' experience as a veterinary nurse. Fed up with her volatility, Gabe finally quits.

Rich continues to support Alice's decisions until he and the studio are threatened with various lawsuits including slander and health code violations. Rich angrily interrupts the show demanding Alice cancel the veterinary procedures. Alice abandons the broadcast 40 minutes early, cancels her show, and settles the lawsuits leaving her with $7 million.

Alice suffers a nervous breakdown while walking naked through the main floor of the casino. She is hospitalized and resumes her medication. After being released, she apologizes to Dr. Moffat and contacts Rich to arrange a final episode of Welcome to Me. She invites her family and Gina to the broadcast - a lavish telethon aimed at finding owners for her dogs which she has neutered along with making amends to everyone she has wronged. In the show's last moments, Alice gives a heartfelt apology to Gina, praises her for her patience, and presents her with a check for the remaining $7 million of her lottery winnings.

With her life back to normal, Gabe takes Alice home and gives her a camcorder as a gift. When she goes to bed, she finally turns off the television she had left on continuously for over 11 years.

Cast

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Production

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Eliot Laurence, writer of the film, is joined by the film's director, Shira Piven, on stage in 2015.

On March 20, 2013, Kristen Wiig was in talks to join the cast of the film and re-team with Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues cohorts Will Ferrell and Adam McKay, who produced.[4] On May 21, 2013, it was announced that Wiig had signed to star in the film.[5][6] On July 16, 2013, more actors were added to the cast including Linda Cardellini, Tim Robbins and Jennifer Jason Leigh.[7] On July 29, 2013, four more actors were added to the cast, Wes Bentley, James Marsden, Joan Cusack, and Alan Tudyk.[8] On December 3, 2014, Millennium Entertainment acquired the American distribution rights to the film.[9]

Principal photography began in July 2013 in Los Angeles and filming mostly in Greater Los Angeles Area. The film was shot in Indio, California, filming a scene at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino hotel. The crew also filmed scenes in Inland Empire, Banning, Beaumont and Cabazon.[10] On August 14, filming took place in Palm Springs.[11]

Release

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The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival on September 5, 2014.[12]

Box office

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It was released in United States theaters on May 1, 2015.[13] The film grossed $38,168 from 2 screens. The following week the film jumped from 41st place to 29th place, earning $188,067 from 133 screens. The film closed with $636,819 after spending seven weeks in the box office.

Home media

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The film was also released on May 8, 2015, through Hoopla, an online streaming media service used by libraries. This was the first time a first-run film was released simultaneously in theaters and on Hoopla.[14] The film was also released on video on demand and digital stores as well beginning on May 8, 2015.[15]

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray on June 16, 2015, in the United States.[16][17]

Reception

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On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a rating of 74%, based on 108 reviews, with a rating of 6.46/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A transfixing central performance by Kristen Wiig holds Welcome to Me together and compensates for its uneven stretches."[18] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 69 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[19]

In his New York Times review, A.O. Scott wrote that "By turns touching, amusing and genuinely disturbing, [Welcome To Me] defies expectations and easy categorization, forgoing obvious laughs and cheap emotional payoffs in favor of something much odder and more interesting."[20]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Welcome to Me is a American dark comedy-drama film written by Eliot Laurence and directed by in her feature directorial debut. The film stars as Alice Klieg, a reclusive woman diagnosed with who wins an $86 million lottery jackpot, quits her , and uses her fortune to produce and host her own centered on her personal life and eccentric worldview. Premiering at the on September 5, , and receiving a in the United States on May 1, 2015, the movie explores themes of , celebrity, and self-expression through a satirical lens. Produced by , the film features a supporting cast including as Alice's love interest Rich, as her friend Gina, and as the show's producer Tammy. Welcome to Me grossed $608,852 domestically at the , reflecting its niche appeal as an independent production. Critics praised Wiig's nuanced performance, which blends vulnerability and absurdity, though opinions were mixed on the film's pacing and tonal consistency; it holds a 74% approval rating on based on 109 reviews, with the consensus noting that Wiig's "transfixing central performance... holds Welcome to Me together and compensates for its uneven stretches." The movie is noted for its bold portrayal of mental illness and critique of media sensationalism.

Synopsis and cast

Plot summary

Alice Klieg, a reclusive woman in , diagnosed with , wins an $86 million lottery jackpot. Inspired by , she abruptly quits her medication and uses her winnings to fund and produce her own daytime , titled Welcome to Me, which airs on a low-budget cable access channel in a dilapidated studio. The program centers entirely on Alice's life, featuring self-indulgent segments such as re-enactments of her childhood traumas, recipes for low-carb , displays of her swan figurine collection, and even live animal procedures like dog neutering. As the show gains a for its eccentricity, Alice's unchecked behavior escalates, leading to her increasing isolation from those around her. Her sister Gina, who has long supported her, grows exasperated by the financial drain and emotional toll. Alice's ex-boyfriend Rich attempts to intervene but is rebuffed, while the show's Gabe, who becomes her lover, faces mounting pressure from the amid rising costs and controversies. A pivotal public breakdown occurs when Alice walks naked through a , highlighting her deteriorating mental state and drawing widespread criticism. Confronted by the fallout, Alice begins reconciliation efforts with Gina, Rich, and Gabe, recognizing the damage her actions have caused. The show's finale pivots into a raising funds for organizations, aligning with Alice's personal interests. In the end, she chooses to cancel the program, restarts her and , and starts rebuilding her fractured relationships.

Cast

The film stars Kristen Wiig as Alice Klieg, the protagonist diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Key supporting roles are played by James Marsden as Rich Ruskin, Alice's ex-boyfriend; Linda Cardellini as Gina Selway, Alice's sister; Wes Bentley as Gabe Ruskin, a producer; Jennifer Jason Leigh as Deb Moseley, co-producer; Joan Cusack as Dawn Hurley, a network executive; Tim Robbins as Dr. Daryl Moffet, Alice's psychiatrist; and Alan Tudyk as Ted Thurber, the director. The contributes to the film's blend of comedic and dramatic elements through their portrayals of interconnected relationships.

Production

Development

The screenplay for Welcome to Me was written by Eliot , who originally conceived it as a exploring themes of mental illness drawn from his observations of a continuum of mental stability in everyday people. With input from director , Laurence adapted the material into a feature-length script to better suit a cinematic . Piven, marking her second feature film after 2011's Fully Loaded, became attached to direct after discovering the script through Laurence, a former student in her acting class. The project was produced by , the company founded by and , who served as producers alongside . In March 2013, joined the production as the lead, committing after reviewing the script and contributing to revisions that emphasized authentic human elements over purely comedic beats.

Casting

was cast in the lead role of Alice Klieg in March 2013, selected for her proven comedic range demonstrated on and in films such as . In July 2013, additional cast members were announced, including , , and on July 16. Later that month, on July 29, , , , and joined the ensemble.

Filming

Principal photography for Welcome to Me commenced in late July 2013 and concluded in August 2013, primarily in and nearby locales. Specific exterior shots, including those depicting the lottery win, were captured in the region, such as Banning, Indio, Palm Desert, and for road scenes. Cinematographer Eric Alan Edwards handled the visuals, employing techniques suited to the film's mock-talk-show sequences to evoke a aesthetic. Practical sets were constructed for the in-studio portions to facilitate realistic interactions among the . The contributed to dynamic scenes through collaborative on-set performances that amplified the film's eccentric tone. Following , composer David Robbins created the original score, which was recorded in to underscore the narrative's emotional layers. duties fell to Joshua Salzberg, who assembled the footage into a cohesive 87-minute runtime.

Release

Premiere

Welcome to Me had its world premiere at the on September 5, 2014, in the Special Presentations program. The screening marked the film's debut on the indie film circuit, showcasing Kristen Wiig's portrayal of a woman with who uses her lottery winnings to produce a self-centered . The premiere generated early buzz, with audiences and early critics praising Wiig's bold and nuanced performance, which balanced humor and in depicting mental illness. Although the film did not secure major awards at the festival, it built considerable critical interest, highlighting its unique satirical take on and . Following the Toronto debut, Welcome to Me screened at additional festivals in late 2014, including the . These appearances further exposed the film to industry professionals and audiences on the festival circuit. Post-premiere, Millennium Entertainment acquired the U.S. distribution rights on December 3, 2014 (rebranded as in January 2015), paving the way for its the following year.

Theatrical distribution

The film received a in the United States on May 1, 2015, distributed by . U.S. distribution rights had been acquired by Millennium Entertainment in December 2014, prior to its rebranding as in January 2015. The release employed a platform strategy, opening in select theaters in New York and before expanding nationwide to a maximum of 133 screens. Following its world premiere at the , which generated early buzz among critics and buyers, the theatrical rollout targeted independent cinemas to capitalize on Kristen Wiig's established fanbase from comedic roles. Marketing for the U.S. release focused on Wiig's transition to a more dramatic lead performance, with trailers released in January 2015 emphasizing the film's dark comedy elements and her portrayal of a woman with . Theatrical posters highlighted key motifs such as the lottery jackpot and the self-produced , using bold imagery to underscore the story's eccentric premise. Promotional efforts were geared toward arthouse audiences, including at indie theaters and circuits to build word-of-mouth interest. Internationally, the film had limited theatrical releases in select territories during 2015 and 2016, including the on March 25, 2016, distributed by Vertigo Releasing, as well as in in mid-2015. These rollouts mirrored the U.S. approach, prioritizing niche screenings in urban markets to appeal to fans of independent cinema and Wiig's work.

Home media and streaming

The film became available for and digital download on May 5, 2015, through platforms including and Amazon Video. Alchemy handled the initial home media distribution in the United States, with the DVD and Blu-ray versions released on June 16, 2015. The physical editions included bonus features such as an eight-minute behind-the-scenes featurette featuring interviews with director and star . As of November 2025, Welcome to Me is accessible for streaming on several platforms in the United States, including , , (including the ad-supported tier), and free with advertisements on . It has also been available previously and continues to stream for free on services like . Internationally, the film received a DVD release in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2016, distributed by Signature Entertainment in partnership with Vertigo Releasing. This followed the film's limited theatrical run in select markets earlier that year.

Commercial performance

Box office

Welcome to Me had a limited theatrical release in the United States on May 1, 2015, distributed by Alchemy. It opened in two theaters, earning $34,920 during its first weekend. The film expanded significantly the following weekend to 119 theaters, grossing $192,672 and achieving a per-theater average of $1,619, marking its peak performance. Over six weeks in release, the film accumulated a domestic total of $608,852. International earnings were minimal at $27,967, with the majority coming from the United Arab Emirates ($25,725) and the United Kingdom ($2,242). This brought the worldwide gross to $636,819. The production had a reported budget of $5 million, and the film's box office results reflected a modest return influenced by its limited rollout and niche appeal as an independent comedy-drama.

Home video sales

The home video release of Welcome to Me occurred on May 5, 2015, distributed by Alchemy in both DVD and Blu-ray formats. This release marked a significant shift in the film's revenue stream, as Welcome to Me achieved strong performance across home media and digital channels, ranking as Alchemy's second highest-grossing multiplatform title of 2015. The success in these ancillary markets was largely driven by Kristen Wiig's established appeal to home entertainment audiences, helping to bolster the film's financial position beyond its limited theatrical run. Digital rentals and purchases contributed notably to the home video performance, with the film promptly available on platforms like following its physical release. On streaming services, Welcome to Me was added to in 2015, where it saw sustained viewership that aligned with Wiig's growing prominence, including her role in (2017). By 2025, the film continues to generate interest through rotations on major platforms, underscoring the enduring value of its home video distribution in offsetting initial production costs.

Reception

Critical response

Welcome to Me received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its lead performance and satirical elements while noting some inconsistencies in tone. On , the film holds a 74% approval rating based on 109 reviews, with an average score of 6.4/10; the site's consensus states that "a transfixing central performance by holds Welcome to Me together and compensates for its uneven execution." On , it scores 69 out of 100 based on 29 critic reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews," with 19 positive, 9 mixed, and 1 negative review. Critics frequently lauded Kristen Wiig's nuanced portrayal of Alice Klieg, a woman with , for blending vulnerability, humor, and in a way that anchored the film's unconventional narrative. The movie's sharp satire on and was also highlighted, with reviewers appreciating how it critiqued media exploitation through Alice's self-funded . Director was commended for balancing dark comedy with emotional depth, creating moments that were both amusing and disturbing without resorting to easy sentimentality. However, some reviews pointed to an inconsistent tone that shifted awkwardly between humor and , occasionally undermining the story's impact. Supporting characters were often described as underdeveloped, serving more as foils to Wiig's central role rather than fully realized figures. A few critics also noted occasional preachiness in its handling of themes, which could feel contrived or overly didactic at times. Notable reviews included one from by Susan Wloszczyna, which awarded the film 2.5 out of 4 stars and praised Wiig's carefully crafted portrayal that exposed an undercurrent of pain and sorrow. of The New York Times highlighted its dark comedy, calling it "by turns touching, amusing and genuinely disturbing" in defying expectations. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian offered a mixed assessment, giving it 2 out of 5 stars and describing it as a "perilously phoney mental illness dramedy" that struggled with authenticity in places.

Accolades

Welcome to Me received several nominations and recognitions from independent film organizations following its release. The film was included in the National Board of Review's Top Ten Independent Films of 2015. Kristen Wiig earned a nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance at the 25th Gotham Independent Film Awards for her role as Alice Klieg. The film's music supervision by Sean Mulligan was nominated for Best Music Supervision in a Film at the 6th Guild of Music Supervisors Awards in 2016. Director Shira Piven's feature debut was screened at festivals including the , where it received positive responses, though it did not secure major directing awards. The film also received no nominations from the or .

Legacy

Cultural impact

Welcome to Me played a notable role in the mid-2010s indie film landscape by exemplifying the shift toward quirky, character-driven comedies that blended humor with deeper emotional exploration. Distributed by , the film highlighted Kristen Wiig's evolution from sketches to more nuanced dramedy performances, paving the way for similar indie projects that prioritized eccentric protagonists over conventional narratives. The movie's satire of has endured as a prescient commentary on media and the of personal stories, resonating with the explosion of influencer in the 2020s. Reviewers at the time and in later analyses commended its sharp critique of fame-seeking in formats, positioning it as an early harbinger of discussions around self-promotion on platforms like and . In the 2020s, Welcome to Me has appeared in retrospectives of Wiig's dramatic work, often cited alongside roles in films like for demonstrating her range beyond comedy. Streaming platforms have featured it in curated lists of overlooked gems, contributing to a modest revival, particularly as indie cinema enthusiasts revisit early-2010s titles for their offbeat charm. Despite earning just $609,000 at the U.S. box office, its long-term appreciation underscores the contrast between commercial metrics and cultural staying power. Pop culture nods to the film remain sporadic, appearing in media critiques of talk-show tropes or influencer excess, but it has not inspired widespread memes, parodies, or direct adaptations.

Mental health representation

The film Welcome to Me portrays (BPD) through Alice Klieg's symptoms of , emotional , and fears of abandonment, depicted in her abrupt decision to discontinue medication and fund an extravagant with winnings, alongside intense mood swings and relational splitting where individuals are viewed in extremes of idealization or devaluation. These elements reflect core BPD traits such as reckless behavior, profound , and black-and-white thinking as coping mechanisms for perceived rejection or disappointment. The depiction has been lauded for humanizing BPD by avoiding stigmatizing caricatures of violence or villainy common in earlier media representations, instead emphasizing Alice's vulnerability, charisma, and non-violent suffering to foster . Harvard Steven Schlozman affirmed the accuracy of specific aspects, including stress-induced micro-psychotic episodes like Alice's meltdown over minor frustrations and her reliance on predictable routines, such as obsessively rewatching talk shows, to manage instability. However, the portrayal drew criticism for inaccuracies, such as implying BPD can be solely controlled by rather than requiring comprehensive , and for conflating symptoms with traits from other disorders like , potentially perpetuating misinformation and stigma by framing the condition as an entertaining eccentricity. Welcome to Me briefly references through Alice's sessions with her , underscoring the role of professional guidance amid her chaotic choices. The film's release prompted 2015 discussions on BPD in media, including an analysis by the Massachusetts General Hospital's Clay Center that praised its potential to destigmatize the disorder through nuanced, empathetic storytelling. It also contributed to indie cinema's exploration of , frequently compared to films like for blending comedy with narratives and sparking broader dialogues on authenticity. In 2025, Welcome to Me remains cited in advocacy resources for advancing positive BPD representation by highlighting the disorder's human complexity and the value of support networks, as seen in Academy-curated lists for awareness month and compilations of inspirational films on . Nonetheless, ongoing critiques note risks of romanticization, where symptoms are softened into relatable quirks, which may dilute awareness of BPD's severity.

References

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