Inside the Collapse: What Happened to VICE?
Eddie Huang, known for his sharp social commentary and culturally rich storytelling, turns his lens toward the collapse of a media empire in Vice Is Broke, a new documentary debuting on MUBI. The film, which had its premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, offers an unfiltered look into the financial unraveling and cultural contradictions that led to VICE Media’s bankruptcy.
With insider interviews and archival footage, Huang paints a vivid portrait of a company that rose to disrupt traditional journalism, only to find itself mired in the very corporate and ethical pitfalls it once claimed to expose. As Huang himself explains in the trailer, “We all thought Vice was gonna be different.” This disillusionment sets the tone for a film that is equal parts investigative and personal.
How Did a Media Giant Lose Its Edge?
Vice Is Broke chronicles the journey of VICE from edgy Montreal zine to billion-dollar global media brand. With appearances from key figures in the company’s rise, including former staff and cultural commentators, the film interrogates how a brand that sold rebellion became ensnared in boardroom politics and financial mismanagement.
The doc tracks pivotal moments—from massive investments by Disney and Fox to scandals involving toxic workplace culture and failed verticals like VICE News Tonight. Huang doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, including VICE’s struggles with identity, audience disconnection, and the harsh economics of digital journalism.
Stylistically, the film embraces Huang’s signature mix of wit, food metaphors, and hip-hop aesthetics, creating an engaging viewing experience that mirrors the chaotic energy of its subject.
Why Is This Documentary Resonating Now?
As legacy and digital media brands alike grapple with layoffs and restructured business models, Vice Is Broke arrives at a particularly timely moment. The documentary serves as both a cautionary tale and a cultural critique, resonating with media professionals, creatives, and audiences who grew up with or inside the VICE era.
Streaming on MUBI, a platform known for curating bold, independent cinema, the documentary aligns perfectly with the service’s ethos. It invites viewers to reflect not just on the fall of a media company, but on the broader implications for journalism, authenticity, and the price of ambition.
Is this the post-mortem the media industry needs right now? Huang’s film doesn’t offer neat conclusions but opens the floor for deeper questions. Who gets to tell stories in the digital age? What happens when brand identity overtakes editorial mission? And can authenticity survive success?
