“Climbing Everest” has become a shorthand for doing the impossible, working hard and striving for a goal. But as the biographical drama Everest illustrates, summiting the world’s highest peak is not always a glorious adventure.
The 2015 movie is based on a 1996 disaster in which eight climbers died, and it’s a terrifying depiction of what can go wrong when man is left alone in nature.
This adventure thriller’s talented ensemble cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Josh Brolin and Keira Knightley. The Watch With Us team recommends you watch Everest before it leaves Netflix on July 31.
The Visuals Are Terrifyingly Beautiful
Shot partially in the Alps and partially at the real Mt. Everest Base Camp, Everest captures the dangerous beauty of the Himalayas. The snowy and icy peaks scrape the clouds, and you can practically feel the blistering winds. The danger feels real — and in fact, there was an avalanche on Everest during the filming of the movie that killed multiple people, though none of the Everest movie crew or cast members were harmed, according to Deadline.
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Despite the danger, there’s no arguing that the Himalayas are stunning. They’re captured beautifully in this film by cinematographer Salvatore Totino and director Baltasar Kormákur. While the terrors experienced by this movie’s characters may dissuade you from ever going to Mt. Everest yourself, you’ll be glad to have seen it.
The Talented Cast Sells the Intensity
Everest has an exceptional ensemble cast that brings emotional realism to the harrowing true story. Jason Clarke plays New Zealand expedition leader Rob Hall, whose calm leadership and heartbreaking storyline are central to the film. Brolin delivers a raw, intense performance as Beck Weathers, a climber whose survival is nothing short of miraculous. Meanwhile, Gyllenhaal brings infectious energy to the role of Scott Fischer, another team leader.
Keira Knightley and Robin Wright also shine in supporting roles, portraying the wives of climbers with moving restraint and emotional depth. These performances ground the film, adding humanity and heartbreak to a story defined by extreme conditions.
Want more stars? Everest has got them. In addition to Knightley and Wright, Mia Goth, Vanessa Kirby, Elizabeth Debicki, Avatar leading man Sam Worthington and Oscar-nominated actors John Hawkes and Emily Watson round out the unbelievably stacked cast.
It’s an Absorbing Dramatization of a Real Tragedy
More than just a survival thriller, Everest is a dramatic re-creation of the infamous 1996 Mount Everest disaster, in which a deadly storm claimed the lives of eight climbers. The film is based on survivor accounts — including journalist Jon Krakauer’s bestselling book Into Thin Air — and brings a sense of realism that makes every decision and obstacle feel urgent. (Krakauer is played here by Michael Kelly.)
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The movie avoids turning its real-life characters into clichés, instead exploring their motivations, fears and the high cost of chasing impossible goals. For viewers fascinated by true stories, Everest offers a gripping and intense portrayal of one of mountaineering’s most infamous tragedies.
You can watch Everest on Netflix until July 31.
