The enigmatic figure of Kanye West has once again seized global attention, this time through the lens of a new documentary that promises to peel back the layers of his tumultuous life and career. Titled “In Whose Name,” and directed by Nico Balisteros, the film offers an unflinching look at the artist’s journey, exposing moments of intense vulnerability, confrontation, and a relentless struggle to control his own narrative. What emerges is a portrait far more complex and troubling than many anticipated, leaving audiences and critics alike in a state of profound re-evaluation.

The documentary opens by tracing West’s illustrious career, juxtaposing his early successes with the first visible cracks in his public image. A pivotal moment revisited is the infamous 2009 VMA incident, where West interrupted Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. This episode, which led to years of unresolved public beef between the two artists, is presented as an early harbinger of a pattern: controversy repeatedly derailing his opportunities. It was a moment that etched itself into pop culture history, signaling a propensity for disruptive behavior that would come to define much of his later career.

The narrative then fast-forwards to a period where West candidly discusses being off his medication for several months, conveying to Kim Kardashian his belief that this was a “calling by the universe.” This forms a critical thread throughout the documentary, frequently referencing his 2016 hospitalization following the abrupt cancellation of his Saint Pablo tour. While the hospitalization itself is not shown, its psychological impact is highlighted as a significant “breaking point” for West. His experiences during this time, and the subsequent media portrayal, appear to have deeply strained his relationships with family and fostered a profound distrust of media and industry figures. This period marks a clear shift, an escalation in his public behavior that would challenge the loyalties of even his most ardent supporters.

The documentary delves into West’s “political awakening,” starting with his embrace of the red “Make America Great Again” hat in 2018. The film recalls his controversial pro-Trump speech on Saturday Night Live, where he claimed he was “bullied” and told not to wear the hat or express his views. He also made contentious remarks about Black subject matter needing Black comedians, which cast member Michael Che confronted him about directly. Che expressed how Kanye’s colleagues at SNL felt loved him and did not deserve to be called out on national television. A tense exchange ensued, requiring a third party to intervene and cameras to stop rolling. West, visibly frustrated, insisted his issue was with SNL as an institution, not with Che personally. In the film, he asserts that wearing the hat was an act of “resisting control,” yet he also admits to feeling scared by politics, fearing for his life while wearing it and even needing security at the White House. This stark contradiction paints a picture of a man caught between a desire for rebellion and genuine paranoia.

Perhaps one of the most emotionally charged segments of the documentary involves West’s attempts to attribute his mental health struggles to the Kardashians. In a deeply unsettling scene, Kris Jenner is shown breaking down in tears, pleading with West to take his medication and “be okay.” West, however, defiantly responds that he would “rather be dead” than be on medication, demanding that Chris acknowledge the Kardashian-Jenner family’s role in his mental health issues. He claims a lack of accountability from his family regarding their impact on his well-being. Chris, through her tears, concedes that they did have an effect but emphasizes that external opinions shouldn’t matter as much as the love and support from those close to him. She expresses her love for him and her wish for Kim to be able to love him as he desires.

The film then takes viewers to a trip to Uganda, where Kim Kardashian, visibly emotional, is seen alongside others close to West. They collectively implore him to listen, reminding him he “wasn’t like this a couple years ago.” Kim poignantly speaks about the necessity of accepting being told “no,” noting that she faces rejections constantly without lashing out. It was after this trip, seemingly due to his extreme paranoia about his own safety, that West reportedly stepped back from overtly political statements. This period saw a brief reconciliation with Kim, including a renewal of vows, and the emergence of his “Sunday Service” era, where he presented himself as “reborn” and more grounded in his faith. This fleeting moment of calm suggested a potential return to stability, yet it was not to last.

In 2020, West once again dove headfirst into politics, launching a presidential campaign. Concurrently, he became consumed with building a “new world” in Wyoming, engaging in sustainable Yeezy projects and architectural experiments. Despite this, his public statements grew increasingly erratic, leading to widespread online chaos and fans questioning their continued support. During this period, he infamously mentioned that he and Kim had considered not having their daughter, North. Soon after, the couple filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. This marked the public dissolution of one of the most high-profile marriages in recent memory, a relationship that had weathered countless storms but ultimately succumbed to the pressures of West’s escalating behavior.

The documentary also scrutinizes West’s apparent belief in his own “untouchability.” He seemingly operated under the assumption that he could say anything without repercussions, often asserting that Adidas could never afford to lose him, given the billions he claimed to have generated for the company. This conviction, that his value rendered him immune to consequences, appeared to fuel his willingness to make inflammatory statements. However, as the world witnessed, Adidas eventually cut ties with him following his antisemitic comments. Far from slowing down, West doubled down on his rhetoric, most infamously with his “White Lives Matter” shirts, seemingly unwilling to acknowledge the real-world harm his words inflicted.

The aftermath has been stark: reports indicate that major booking agencies like Live Nation and AEG have refused to book him for tours, and even the prestigious Sphere in Las Vegas reportedly turned him down. Throughout the film, West struggles to define his own narrative. He repeatedly complains about media attempts to label him as bipolar, instead reframing his outbursts as him being “misunderstood,” “off his meds” (a claim he previously dismissed), or “targeted by outside forces.” He resists the mental illness narrative, desperate not to be defined by it, preferring to categorize his behavior as intentional, political, spiritual, or even visionary.

West appears trapped by his own actions, seemingly unable to accept criticism or advice from loved ones. This inability, the documentary suggests, was a significant factor in the breakdown of his marriage to Kim. While the Kardashians themselves are no strangers to controversy, many online observers have expressed a newfound empathy for Kim, acknowledging her steadfast support of West. Commentators have noted that despite his volatile nature, Kim stood by him, with some even suggesting she could have exposed his true character much earlier but chose to remain silent. Her ability to remain calm and collected in chaotic, overwhelming situations is highlighted as a “superpower,” possibly developed as a trauma response to the turmoil surrounding West. The documentary ironically achieves the opposite of what West may have intended, generating widespread sympathy for Kim Kardashian.

Ultimately, “In Whose Name” portrays a Kanye West who insists he is more “himself” when not on medication and desires only those around him who understand his “purpose on Earth.” Longtime fans express sadness at the drastic turn of events, echoing Michael Che’s sentiment of once being a fan but now struggling to reconcile with what West has become. The film concludes with West appearing willing to risk everything to pursue his own desires, seemingly at peace with the profound losses he has incurred, including his marriage and professional alliances. His journey, as depicted, is a tragic downfall, a testament to the complex interplay of genius, mental health, and unchecked ambition.