In their 2018 Oscar-winning film “Free Solo,” directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin captured the exhilarating spectacle of rock climber Alex Honnold. Their latest project, “Everest: The Other Side,” attempts to replicate that visceral thrill with Jim Morrison’s ambitious attempt to ski-mountaineer the world’s highest peak. However, the documentary is fundamentally compromised by the tragedy that defines its narrative: Morrison’s late partner, Hilaree Nelson, died during an earlier attempt at the feat.
The film opens with the classic mountaineering rationale attributed to George Mallory, “Because it’s there.” Yet, as the story unfolds, the more pressing questions revolve around why individuals subject themselves to such perilous endeavors and whether they should. While the cinematography offers breathtaking views of Everest and Morrison’s eventual successful descent, the emotional impact is dampened by the knowledge that Nelson perished while trying to accomplish the same goal, leaving behind two young children.
Nelson’s internal conflict regarding the balance between motherhood and her passion for extreme sports is highlighted in interview footage. She expresses frustration with the question of how she manages both, stating, “What I can do is love my kids today when I see them. What else can I do?” These words resonate heavily after the film reveals that on September 26, 2022, Nelson was caught in an avalanche in Nepal and fell nearly 6,000 feet to her death.
The documentary introduces this fatal event midway through, presenting it somewhat jarringly as a plot twist rather than foreshadowing it. Despite the filmmakers’ close friendship with the couple, the narrative largely sidesteps introspection about the ethics of celebrating such high-risk activities. Instead, it focuses on Morrison’s determination to complete the first-ever ski down the north face of Everest, viewing it as both personal vindication and a tribute to those he has lost.
Chin, a father himself, joins the expedition with minimal exploration of the hubris involved. Vasarhelyi, reportedly less involved in this specific project, raises concerns about the dangers, noting the number of their mutual friends who have died in similar pursuits. Meanwhile, the voices of the Sherpa team, including guide Pur Bahadur “Yukta” Gurung, are marginalized, despite Gurung sustaining a near-fatal injury during the climb and later dying in an avalanche before the film’s Venice premiere.
Visually, the film is stunning, with sweeping vistas and a powerful orchestral score by Caroline Ho that immerses viewers in the romantic folly of the expedition. However, the juxtaposition of Nelson’s death, her children’s grief, and Gurung’s tragedy makes it difficult to fully embrace the triumph. The documentary leaves audiences questioning where Morrison’s relentless drive will lead next and whether this will ultimately be his final summit.
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