You’ve probably seen the headlines or a stray clip on social media—a shaky, vertical iPhone video of Kanye West (now Ye) ranting about Adidas, or a quiet, eerie shot of him walking through his childhood home in Chicago. It feels like someone just happened to be there with a camera. Well, that’s because they were. For six years, Nico Ballesteros, an aspiring filmmaker who was only 18 when he started, basically lived in Ye’s pocket. The result is the documentary In Whose Name?, and it is one of the most polarizing "in whose name movies" you’ll ever sit through.
Honestly, calling it a "movie" feels a bit formal. It’s more of an endurance test.
Released in theaters on September 19, 2025, the film is a raw, unedited, and frequently uncomfortable look at the collapse of a billion-dollar empire. It doesn’t have a narrator. It doesn't have talking heads explaining the context. It just… happens. If you aren't familiar with the specific timeline of Ye’s public fall—the antisemitic remarks, the 2020 presidential run, the divorce from Kim Kardashian—you’re going to be incredibly confused. But for those who have followed the saga, it’s a haunting document of a man who seems to be burning his own house down while insisting he’s just "remodeling."
What Exactly Is the Movie "In Whose Name?"
The film is built from a staggering 3,000 hours of footage. Think about that. That is 125 full days of video compressed into a two-hour theatrical experience. Nico Ballesteros wasn’t just a hired gun; he became a confidant and a fly-on-the-wall witness to the most turbulent years of Ye’s life, from 2018 to 2024.
✨ Don't miss: Priyanka Chopra Latest Movies: Why Her 2026 Slate Is Riskier Than You Think
The title itself is a bit of a riddle. According to the filmmakers and distribution partners like Utopia and Goodfellas, In Whose Name? refers to the shifting nature of idolatry. Is Ye doing this in the name of God? In the name of freedom? Or just in the name of himself? The movie doesn't give you the answer. It just shows you the cost.
Key Moments Captured on Camera
- The Breakdown of a Marriage: There is a tense, painful scene where Kim Kardashian tells Ye his personality "was not like this a few years ago." It's domestic drama at its most voyeuristic.
- The Medication Struggle: Ye is filmed explicitly stating he has been off his meds for five months, claiming, "I would rather be dead than be on medication." It’s a gut-wrenching look at how mental health struggles intersect with creative identity.
- The Celebrity Cameos: Because the camera followed him everywhere, you see an absurd list of people popping in and out. Drake, Elon Musk, Pharrell Williams, and even controversial figures like Charlie Kirk and Candace Owens appear. It’s a "who’s who" of the people who were either trying to help him or, as critics argue, enabling the spiral.
Why This Movie Is Different from Other Documentaries
Most music documentaries follow a predictable path. There’s the rise, the fall, and the inevitable comeback. They are usually polished, authorized, and designed to make the star look like a misunderstood genius. In Whose Name? is none of those things.
It’s messy. It’s grainy. It’s long-winded.
🔗 Read more: Why This Is How We Roll FGL Is Still The Song That Defines Modern Country
Because Ballesteros used an iPhone for much of the filming, there’s an intimacy that traditional camera crews can’t replicate. You are in the back of the car. You are in the private meeting. You are in the bedroom. This lack of production value is actually its greatest strength—it feels like a leak rather than a release. However, this has also led to some scathing reviews. Variety called the film "tedious and frustrating," noting that while the access is incredible, the film itself is as "unmoored" as its subject.
The Logistics: Ownership and Production
If you’re wondering who actually owns this or "in whose name" the production is registered, it’s a bit of a tangle. The film was produced by Ballesteros alongside Jack M. Russell and Shy Ranje. AMSI Entertainment handled the theatrical release.
Interestingly, the film captures the period where Ye became the richest Black man in American history, only to lose the "billionaire" status almost overnight following his fallout with Adidas and Gap. The documentary acts as a financial autopsy as much as a psychological one. You see the boardrooms where these billion-dollar deals were discussed, and then you see the moment they vanished.
💡 You might also like: The Real Story Behind I Can Do Bad All by Myself: From Stage to Screen
Is It Worth Watching?
That depends on how much "Ye exhaustion" you’re feeling.
If you want a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end, you’ll hate this. It’s a "vibe" movie, but the vibe is "anxiety." It’s meant to force the audience to confront the contradictions of celebrity. You see Ye as a brilliant artist and a devoted father, but you also see him as a man making deeply harmful statements and pushing away everyone who loves him.
The film ends before the most recent chapters of his life—like his marriage to Bianca Censori or the "Vultures" era—so it already feels like a time capsule of a specific, dark transition period.
Moving Beyond the Hype: Actionable Insights
If you’re planning to track down a screening or watch it on digital platforms like Vudu or Fandango at Home, here are a few things to keep in mind to get the most out of the experience:
- Brush up on the timeline: Before watching, quickly scan the news highlights from 2018 to 2022. The film won't explain why he's wearing a MAGA hat or why he’s in a specific warehouse in Wyoming; it assumes you already know.
- Look for the subtext: Pay attention to the people in the background. The "yes-men" vs. the people actually trying to intervene. The movie is a masterclass in observing the dynamics of a superstar's inner circle.
- Watch for the cinematography: Even though it’s shot on an iPhone, Ballesteros has a specific eye for framing. Some of the quietest shots—Ye standing in an empty field or a silent room—tell more than the 20-minute rants.
- Check the rating: It’s Rated R for a reason. There’s heavy language and some brief nudity. It is not a family-friendly music doc.
Basically, In Whose Name? isn't here to make you a fan. It isn't even here to make you understand Ye. It's a raw piece of primary source evidence from a time when the world's biggest star decided to see if he could survive without a filter. Whether he did or not is up to you to decide.