What is the Kanye West 2025 documentary “In Whose Name?” about? 

“In Whose Name?” is a new 2025 documentary by director Nico Ballesteros that lifts the veil on Kanye West’s life from about 2018 to 2024. Filmed over six years and culled from 3,000 hours of footage, it gives a rare, up-close look at the man behind the headlines, his controversial public behavior, his mental health struggles, his political entanglements, and the collapse of his personal relationships. Released September 19, 2025, in theaters via AMSI Entertainment, it aims not to judge but to show.

Six Years of Chaos: What the Documentary Covers

The film spans a tumultuous six-year period in Kanye’s life. Highlights include:

• His struggles with bipolar disorder, especially periods when he stopped taking medication.
• The collapse of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, and very personal, raw, emotional moments between them.
• Controversial public outbursts, including antisemitic remarks, political support of MAGA & his Trump visits, and heated confrontations with peers.
• Appearances by many public figures, friends, critics, collaborators, such as Kris Jenner, Michael Che, Elon Musk, Drake and others, adding perspective to Kanye’s shifting public image.

Raw Access & Mental Health: No Commentary, Just Footage

What sets In Whose Name? apart is the style: no narrator walking you through what to think. The filmmaker, Ballesteros, says the audience is free to draw their own conclusions. The documentary shows Ye’s behavior, moods, breakdowns and triumphs largely without interpretive voice-overs.

Further, there are intense moments involving his mental health, including a heated argument with Kris Jenner about medication and how people treated his hospitalizations. Ye says things like “I’d rather be dead than be on medication”, sharp statements that reveal both pain and defiance.

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Public Fallout: Politics, Image, and Identity

The documentary also dives into Kanye’s political views and how they’ve shaped his public persona:

• He frames his support for MAGA not purely as political alignment, but as rebelling against what he perceives as societal control or “mind control,” referencing 1984-style surveillance and oppression.
• His antisemitic remarks from prior years, the consequences with lost endorsement deals, and how public backlash has affected his finances and influence.
• His attempts at a 2020 presidential campaign, and the varying relationships with peers and former collaborators, some supportive, others deeply critical.

Why In Whose Name? Matters: Reversal, Redemption, or Reckoning?

This film doesn’t just chronicle decline. It forces viewers to confront questions about artistry, mental health, consequences, and freedom of expression. Is Kanye West the victim of his own public image becoming unmanageable? Or is he exploiting the controversies for a continued spotlight?

It also raises tough questions about how society treats celebrity breakdowns, how mental illness, political provocations, and public outrage intersect. And whether recovery, redemption, or reinvention are even possible when your life is consistently under intense glare.

FAQ

Q1: What is In Whose Name?

A1: In Whose Name? is a 2025 American documentary directed by Nico Ballesteros, covering approximately six years (2018-2024) of Kanye West’s life. It explores his public controversies, mental health struggles, his marriage collapse, and political actions.

Q2: When was In Whose Name? released?

A2: The film was released in U.S. theaters on September 19, 2025, distributed through AMSI Entertainment.

Q3: Who directed In Whose Name?

A3: It was directed by Nico Ballesteros. Co-producers include Simran A. Singh, Shy Ranje, Jack Mason Russell. It features editing by Ballesteros, Jack Mason Russell, and Justin Staple, with original music by Leon Lacey.

Q4: What topics does the documentary cover?

A4: The film covers Kanye’s bipolar disorder and mental health episodes; the collapse of his marriage to Kim Kardashian; his controversial public statements, including antisemitism; his support of MAGA and political views; his career highs and lows; and intimate, behind-the-scenes moments.

Q5: How was the documentary filmed?

A5: Over 3,000 hours of footage were captured over six years. The director aimed for raw, unfiltered access, many days were long (up to 15-hour shoot days). The final version is about 104 minutes.

Q6: Does In Whose Name? offer commentary or conclusions?

A6: No. Producers have stated the film does not include commentary or a definitive conclusion. It presents events, letting the audience interpret Kanye West’s words and actions.

Q7: What is controversial about Kanye’s behavior shown in the documentary?

A7: Viewers see Kanye refusing medication, making antisemitic statements, emotional breakdowns, clashes with family members (including Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian), public support of MAGA, comparisons of modern life to themes of control and “slavery,” and loss of endorsements.

Q8: Who else appears in the film?

A8: Several public figures appear, including collaborators, critics, and family: Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Michael Che, Elon Musk, Drake, Pharrell Williams, Swizz Beatz, Charlie Kirk, Consequence, and others.

Q9: Why is the documentary called In Whose Name?

A9: The title suggests reflection and questioning, asking in whose name Kanye West is acting, speaking, or being judged. It pushes the viewer to consider who owns his public persona, who he is addressing, and how responsible he is for his own narrative.

Q10: Where can I see In Whose Name?

A10: It is in theaters starting September 19, 2025. Distribution is done via AMSI Entertainment, in partnership with major theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark.

Q11: How have critics responded?

A11: Critical response notes that while the documentary provides deep insight and raw moments, many feel it raises as many questions as it answers. Some praise its unfiltered style; others find it frustrating due to its lack of a guiding narrative lens.