Free Solo

Name: Free Solo
Genre: Documentary
Released: September 28, 2018
Duration: 100 min
Rating: 83
Cast: Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin, Sanni McCandless, Tommy Caldwell

2018

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Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 105 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 105 Ratings

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Free Solo

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Movie Details & Credits

National Geographic Documentary Films | Release Date: September 28, 2018 | PG-13

Starring: Alex Honnold, Jimmy Chin, Sanni McCandless, Tommy Caldwell

Movie Facts:

Winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary of 2018.

Summary: Free Solo is a stunning, intimate and unflinching portrait of the free soloist climber Alex Honnold, as he prepares to achieve his lifelong dream: climbing the face of the world’s most famous rock...the 3,000ft El Capitan in Yosemite National Park…without a rope.

Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin

Genre(s): Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 100 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Evan Bush

Oct 10, 2018

Despite the gravity-defying cinematography and alpine setting, Free Solo transcends the climbing world and intimately examines something universal. How can Honnold risk pain to the people who love him in pursuit of a lofty personal goal? Read full review

Chris Nashawaty

Sep 27, 2018

In the end, the answer may be only slightly deeper than “because it’s there”, but for 100 nerve-racking minutes, Free Solo brings us one man’s suicidal quest with sympathy, grace, and a ton of adrenalin. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Nov 1, 2018

The compelling reason to see it in a multiplex, however, isn’t so much the advantage of a larger screen as it is the absence of commercial breaks. The full impact of the movie relies on the gradual building of momentum and any kind of interruption could break the spell. Read full review

IndieWire David Ehrlich

Sep 3, 2018

There’s no denying that the domestic scenes of Free Solo are more powerful because you appreciate the madness of what Honnold is trying to do, and the climbing scenes are more powerful because you appreciate the full extent of what he’s risking to do it. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Sep 3, 2018

This is in many ways a white-knuckle brand extension for Honnold above all else. Still, the film frequently treads into knotty territory. Read full review

Tom Russo

Oct 4, 2018

Go figure that the year’s most outrageously harrowing action movie turns out to be an arthouse doc from National Geographic. Read full review

Christopher Machell

Sep 15, 2018

Free Solo goes some way to explaining just why someone would want to do such a thing, but is ultimately more captivated by the vicarious thrill of watching Honnold do his thing. Read full review

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User Reviews

d3ck3r

Oct 12, 2018

One of the best movies I've ever seen in my life. A well-structured, emotional, intensely intimate tale of human achievement.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Proteus

Oct 27, 2018

Early in the movie a highly respected climber says "imagine needing an Olympic Gold level of excellence and if you fail you die". Those are the stakes here. "Man on Wire" was my previous favorite documentary. If you want to see an example of extremely high mental health watch that movie.Early in the movie a highly respected climber says "imagine needing an Olympic Gold level of excellence and if you fail you die". Those are the stakes here. "Man on Wire" was my previous favorite documentary. If you want to see an example of extremely high mental health watch that movie.

This movie matches Man on Wire. The insight into human nature here is riveting. Why do we do what we do?… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

olivermeta

Mar 11, 2019

Cool movie. CAPS for el Cap. This review needs to be 75 characters long.....

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

TVJerry

Oct 18, 2018

If you can look at pictures of free solo climbing and not flinch, this movie may not be for you. Alex Honnold is one of the world's most famous and daring solo climbers (using hands and feet only, no ropes). This documentary details his efforts to scale the face of a 3000 feet high ElIf you can look at pictures of free solo climbing and not flinch, this movie may not be for you. Alex Honnold is one of the world's most famous and daring solo climbers (using hands and feet only, no ropes). This documentary details his efforts to scale the face of a 3000 feet high El Capitan in Yosmite. It also offers insight into his unique personality. There's lots of prep and even some mishaps, but his almost irrational determination drives him to the final climb, a harrowing, seemingly impossible feat. Luckily, this is only playing at Criterion Cinemas…not sure I could take it on a giant IMAX screen.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

m15964

Apr 9, 2019

This documentary is full of energy and of course, full of exiting moments that you would dying cause of Adrenaline. Absolutely MUST WATCH!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Tyranian

May 20, 2019

Fairly incredible doco and the final climb is mesmerising, bit too much filler beforehand though.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Mauro_Lanari

Jul 30, 2019

(Mauro Lanari)
An aspie who does aspy stuff. That's it. The real "peak experiences" are not those taken literally.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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