Netflix has set pop culture buzzing with the release of the official trailer for Vanished, a gripping new documentary centered on ’80s icon Kim Wilde. Known for her platinum-selling hits like “Kids in America” and her signature icy-cool persona, Wilde captivated a generation—but then, she seemed to quietly retreat from the spotlight. Now, decades later, Netflix is diving into her complex journey with a documentary that promises to answer questions fans have asked for years.
The trailer, which dropped online this morning, hints at a story far deeper than the glossy headlines and neon lights of Wilde’s early fame. It opens with grainy home video footage of Kim on stage, bathed in bright lights and crowd adoration, before fading to silence and the stark title card: Vanished. A haunting voiceover from Wilde herself breaks in: “I had it all… and then I walked away.” From that moment on, viewers are hooked.
Produced by Netflix Originals and directed by Emmy-winner Laura Mendez, Vanished is not just a portrait of stardom—it’s a mystery unraveled in real time. The documentary promises never-before-seen archival footage, diary entries, and candid interviews with Wilde, her family, bandmates, and even a few industry insiders who remained silent—until now.
What truly sets this documentary apart is its cinematic style. The trailer is scored with a slowed-down, atmospheric remix of “Cambodia,” one of Wilde’s most enigmatic tracks. Flashes of vintage tour footage are juxtaposed with recent, solitary scenes of Wilde walking through quiet English gardens, hinting at the duality of her life—public sensation and private recluse.
Fans and critics alike have long speculated about Wilde’s sudden fade from international fame, especially after her early success across Europe and Australia. Vanished doesn’t shy away from the tough questions: Was it burnout? Industry politics? Or something far more personal? The trailer teases just enough to stir suspense without giving away the full story.
Interviews included in the trailer point to a layered narrative. Ricky Wilde, Kim’s brother and longtime collaborator, appears emotionally raw as he reflects on her decision to step back. “She was tired of being someone else’s fantasy,” he says, before the screen cuts to black. Other voices—managers, fellow musicians, even longtime fans—paint a picture of an artist who wrestled quietly with fame, identity, and control over her own narrative.
While Wilde has periodically re-emerged for tours and albums in recent years, Vanished is said to be the first time she fully opens up about the decisions that shaped her life. The trailer ends with Wilde, now in her sixties, staring directly into the camera: “People think they know what happened. They don’t.”
Netflix confirmed that Vanished will be available for streaming worldwide starting next month. The release is expected to reignite interest in Wilde’s music, career, and legacy—especially among younger viewers who may be discovering her for the first time through TikTok trends and retro playlists.
According to the platform’s press statement released on June 10, 2025, the documentary is the result of nearly four years of research and production. Wilde herself was reportedly hesitant at first, but ultimately decided to participate in what she describes as “the most honest project I’ve ever done.”
Social media reaction to the trailer has been immediate and intense. Fans have taken to X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Reddit to express excitement and admiration, many writing that they’ve waited their entire lives for Wilde’s version of the story. One fan wrote, “She’s finally telling her truth. About time the world listened.”
If the trailer is any indication, Vanished is poised to be one of Netflix’s most talked-about music documentaries this year. It merges nostalgia, suspense, and raw humanity into a single narrative arc that resonates well beyond pop music. For longtime fans and new viewers alike, this documentary may finally lift the veil on a woman who walked away from superstardom—and never looked back.
