Vice

In the 2000 election a veteran political operator, Dick Cheney, is chosen by George W. Bush as his running mate. Cheney, already drawn from years of service in the White House and at the Pentagon, brings a history of steady strategic thinking to the ticket. After Bush wins by a slim margin, Cheney stays in the shadows, quietly shaping policy and guiding decisions that steer the administration and the country toward a more muscular foreign policy and a transformed national security state. The film follows a brisk, often sly tone as it tracks how one man leverages opportunity to tighten the grip of a new era of power. It also nods to media and quiet memo culture.

Directed by Adam McKay, Vice presents a sharp satirical portrait based on real events. It uses an original screenplay to trace Dick Cheney's ascent from executive to power broker and his role in shaping the Bush era, with brisk energy.

Vice earned multiple Academy Award nominations, signaling its impact beyond box office and audience reaction. Christian Bale's transformative portrayal of Dick Cheney drew widespread praise and several nominations, while the film sparked ongoing discussion about the nature of power, accountability and the mechanics of political manipulation in modern government.

With a brisk irreverent style the film became a touchstone for conversations about modern governance. Bale's accent and the film's satirical energy left a strong visual imprint, while the portrait influenced how audiences talk about the Bush era and the machinery of government in popular culture. Its look adds snap.

Critics praised the film for its daring approach to a complex figure and the balance of humor with warning. It asks how a few people can alter policy and rewrite norms, while inviting debate about accountability and the costs of power. Some critics argue it oversimplifies nuance.