Kanye West’s Documentary ‘In Whose Name?’ Premieres Nationwide

Lead: Kanye West’s long-awaited vérité documentary In Whose Name? debuted in theaters across the United States today, chronicling six turbulent years of the rapper’s life on more than 1,000 screens nationwide.

Nut Graf: Directed by Nico Ballesteros, who began filming West at age 18, the film offers an unfiltered look at the artist’s creative highs, public controversies and mental-health struggles, making it one of the most anticipated music documentaries of 2025.

Documentary Debuts on Major Chains

• In Whose Name? opened in collaboration with AMC and Cinemark, hitting over 1,000 screens in major U.S. markets today.
• The film compiles more than 3,000 hours of footage from 2018 to 2024, including intimate studio sessions and family moments.

Inside the Film

• West-now known as Ye-speaks candidly about going off his bipolar medication for five months: “I’ve been off my medication for five months now,” he declares on camera.
• Footage captures the unraveling of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, clashes with industry figures and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process.

Early Critical Response

• Viewers and critics have noted the film’s raw portrayal of fame and mental illness, praising Ballesteros’s unobtrusive style and West’s willingness to reveal personal turmoil.
• Some reviewers highlight the absence of narration or editorializing, allowing audiences to draw their own conclusions from the unedited moments.

What’s Next?

• In Whose Name? will play in theaters nationwide over the coming weeks, with streaming and home-video release dates yet to be announced.
• The documentary’s premiere coincides with renewed public interest in West’s legacy, setting the stage for further discussions on artistry, privacy and the pressures of celebrity.