Behind the Summit: ‘Everest: The Other Side’ A Journey Through Grief and Glory by Vasarhelyi and Chin

Editor’s Note: This review was originally published during the 2026 Venice Film Festival. NatGeo opens the film in theaters starting October 30.

The highly anticipated documentary Everest: The Other Side, directed by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, delves into the harrowing expedition of Jim Morrison as he attempts to scale Everest’s North Face. While the film chronicles Morrison’s perilous climb, it also reflects the personal and professional challenges faced by the filmmakers, whose marriage was strained during production. The cinematography captures the raw determination and visceral risks of high-altitude mountaineering, immersing viewers in the unforgiving landscape of the Himalayas.

Morrison’s expedition marks a historic attempt—the first successful ski descent of Everest’s North Face, achieved by only five climbers in total. Despite the film’s known outcome, the audience remains on edge as Morrison navigates treacherous avalanches, a vertical ice corridor, and the emotional weight of loss. These challenges are compounded by the tragic death of his late climbing partner, Hilaree Nelson, during a 2022 avalanche, and the earlier loss of his family in a 2011 plane crash. These personal tragedies underscore the psychological toll of pursuit, raising questions about the motivations of climbers who repeatedly risk everything.

The documentary also offers a nuanced exploration of the filmmakers’ own relationship strife, which unfolded during production. While their split remains private, it subtly influences the narrative, echoing themes from their earlier work, Meru. Through Morrison’s journey, the film confronts the paradox of climbing—why seek death when life on Earth is so fragile? As Morrison reflects, “The things we do for fun,” captured through intimate GoPro footage, reveal a profound need to transcend personal grief and find meaning in the face of oblivion.

Through masterful cinematography by Clair Popkin, Christopher Murphy, and Jimmy Chin, Everest: The Other Side balances visceral spectacle with emotional depth. The film avoids glorifying danger, instead presenting a raw portrait of resilience and the human spirit’s capacity to endure. Supporting characters, like the Sherpa Yukta, add cultural and emotional layers, ensuring the narrative transcends mere adventure. The result is a compelling blend of personal reflection and cinematic intensity, culminating in Morrison’s harrowing yet triumphant descent—a testament to the indomitable will to rise, even when the summit is already known. A+ for its unflinching honesty and visual mastery.

Source link