“In Whose Name” Documentary Review

Nick Ewing

Business & Finance Manager

The new documentary “In Whose Name?”, directed by Nico Ballesteros, is an intense and often messy look at Kanye West. Shot over six years and built from over three thousand hours of footage, it doesn’t lean on narration or explanations. Instead, it drops viewers straight into West’s life and lets the moments speak for themselves.

The access is striking. We see private clashes with Kris Jenner, the unraveling of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, and his rise and fall in the political spotlight. Some scenes are uncomfortable to watch, but that honesty is what gives the film its weight.

Mental health is at the heart of the story. West’s struggles with bipolar disorder are shown in raw detail, including his refusal to take medication because he believes it dulls his creativity. The film does not tell viewers how to feel about this, which makes it all the more powerful. His genius and his self-destruction are shown as two sides of the same coin.

At times, the film can be hard to follow. Without context, long rants blur together and the pacing slows. If you do not know much about West’s past, parts of the documentary may feel confusing. The intensity also takes a toll. Some stretches are so heavy that they feel draining.

Even with its flaws, “In Whose Name?” leaves a strong impression. It does not try to redeem or condemn West, instead, it shows his true character as brilliant, chaotic, and deeply conflicted.

By the end, the question posed by the title still hangs in the air. In whose name does Kanye West rise, fall, and keep creating? The film never answers, but it makes you think about it long after you leave the theater.