Vice (2018)
Adam McKay's audacious political biopic charts Dick Cheney's transformation into the most powerful Vice President in American history.
Vice - Movie Information
- Original Title: Vice
- Release Year: 2018
- Directed by: Adam McKay
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 2h 12m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 25, 2018 (Canada - 18A), December 25, 2018 (United States - R), January 25, 2019 (United Kingdom - 15), February 21, 2019 (Germany - 12), February 13, 2019 (France - TP), December 26, 2018 (New Zealand), December 26, 2018 (Australia - M), January 31, 2019 (Brazil - 14), February 1, 2019 (Mexico), January 3, 2019 (Italy), January 11, 2019 (Spain - 12), April 11, 2019 (South Korea - 15)
- Alternative Titles: Valdžia (LT), Vice - Der zweite Mann (DE), Вице-президент (RU), O Vice (BR), Vice: Gölge Adam (TR), Cheney (US)
- Production Companies: Annapurna Pictures, Gary Sanchez Productions, Plan B Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Vice - Plot
George W. Bush picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and Defense Secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.
Vice - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Cheney's extraordinary rise to power unfold:
The untold true story that changed the course of history.
Where to Watch Vice
Looking for where to watch Vice?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Vice - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Adam McKay
Main Cast
- Christian Bale
- Amy Adams
- Steve Carell
- Sam Rockwell
- Alison Pill
- Eddie Marsan
- Justin Kirk
- LisaGay Hamilton
- Jesse Plemons
- Bill Camp
Writers
- Adam McKay
Producers
- Brad Pitt
- Jeremy Kleiner
- Adam McKay
- Dede Gardner
- Will Ferrell
Vice - FAQs
What is Vice (2018) about?
Vice traces Dick Cheney's unlikely journey from a small-town Wyoming troublemaker to the most influential Vice President America has ever seen. The film charts how Cheney quietly accumulated unprecedented executive power under George W. Bush, reshaping U.S. foreign policy and steering the country into the Iraq War.
How did Christian Bale transform into Dick Cheney?
Bale gained around 45 pounds and underwent extensive prosthetic makeup to physically embody Cheney. He also studied the Vice President's distinctive speech patterns, posture, and mannerisms obsessively. The transformation earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and is widely considered one of the most remarkable physical performances in recent memory.
Where can you stream Vice (2018)?
You can rent or buy Vice on Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. It's also available through MovieSphere+ Amazon Channel as a flatrate subscription. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date streaming availability in your region.
Is Vice based on a true story?
Yes, Vice is rooted in real events. It dramatizes the actual political career of Dick Cheney, from his early days in Washington under Gerald Ford through his tenure as Vice President from 2001 to 2009. While the film takes some creative liberties for dramatic effect, the core political events depicted are historically grounded.
Who are the main actors in Vice?
The cast is stacked with award-winning talent. Christian Bale leads as Dick Cheney, with Amy Adams as Lynne Cheney, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, and Sam Rockwell as George W. Bush. Jesse Plemons, Alison Pill, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell, and Bill Camp as Gerald Ford round out the impressive ensemble.
Did Vice win any major awards?
Vice earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Christian Bale. It took home the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The film also won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Bale's extraordinary physical and dramatic performance.
What is the unique narrative style of Vice?
Director Adam McKay uses the same inventive, fourth-wall-breaking style he pioneered in The Big Short. Vice features a sardonic narrator, fake-out endings, Shakespearean asides, and darkly comic interludes. This unconventional approach keeps the political biography from feeling like a dry history lesson, turning it into a sharp, provocative satire.
Is Vice worth watching for political drama fans?
Absolutely. Vice is a bold, stylistically daring film anchored by career-best performances. Critics praised its ambition and Bale's astonishing transformation, though some found its satirical tone divisive. If you enjoy politically charged biopics like The Big Short or W., Vice delivers a fascinating and unsettling portrait of modern American power.
More About Vice
Explore further details about Vice on these authoritative resources: