In a surprising turn of events, Alex Garland's highly anticipated dystopian film, "Civil War," has defied expectations and managed to unite audiences from both sides of the political spectrum. The film, which depicts a divided America torn apart by a president gone rogue and brutal acts of war, generated significant buzz leading up to its theatrical debut on April 12-14 weekend.

Amidst speculations about its potential reception - with some wondering if it would resonate more with blue states or galvanize Trump supporters - "Civil War" played out as a truly bipartisan experience. According to final exit polling data, an equal 50 percent of ticket buyers identified as conservative and liberal, proving that the film transcended political boundaries and appealed to a wide range of viewers.

For indie studio A24, the film's success marked a milestone as it became their biggest swing to date, with an impressive opening weekend box office of $25.7 million. Despite A24's reputation as a predominantly liberal-leaning studio, "Civil War" sought to avoid glorifying any specific political party, which some liberals found uncomfortable. The film's abrasive and thought-provoking nature challenged audiences by refusing to align with any particular ideology.

Detailed polling data revealed interesting patterns in audience preferences. "Civil War" played well in major cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Denver, where it either skewed liberal or drew an even 50-50 split among viewers. The film also over-indexed in traditionally conservative markets such as Phoenix, Kansas City, and Dallas.

Notably, "Civil War" found success in smaller, high-grossing conservative-leaning markets like Sacramento, El Paso, Oklahoma City, Albuquerque, Waco, Brownsville, and Colorado Springs. On the other hand, it over-indexed in the liberal-leaning market of Portland, Oregon.

Further analysis of the data revealed that 70 percent of ticket buyers in Denver, Kansas City, and Phoenix had a connection to the military, either through family or friends. Additionally, the film attracted an older audience in Kansas City, with 55 percent of ticket buyers aged 35 and older.

The main draw for audiences was the film's political dystopian storyline, followed closely by its action elements and the appeal of indie films. This combination allowed "Civil War" to resonate across major markets and attract cinephiles in cities like Los Angeles and New York.

The film's target demographic of 18 to 34-year-olds, which aligns with A24's usual audience, made up 57 percent of ticket buyers. The male audience also dominated, comprising 63 percent, in line with expectations for an action film.

"Civil War" follows the journey of a wartime photojournalist, played by Kirsten Dunst, and her colleagues as they navigate a hostile landscape in a divided United States. The film explores the clashes between the forces of the United States and The Western Front, an alliance between California and Texas fighting against an authoritarian three-term president portrayed by Nick Offerman.

Despite receiving a B- CinemaScore, A24 likely considers the film divisive as intended, fostering meaningful conversations among viewers. Box office results showcased strong performances in top-grossing markets such as Los Angeles, New York, Dallas, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Washington DC, Toronto, Denver, and Phoenix.

"Civil War" has not only shattered records for A24 but also broken the mold by uniting audiences across the political spectrum. With its thought-provoking narrative and balanced approach, the film has ignited debates and captured the attention of viewers, proving that storytelling can transcend political boundaries and resonate with diverse audiences.