Tenzing
October 9th, 2026
MOVIE: TENZING
STARRING: GENDEN PHUNTSOK, WILLEM DAFOE, TOM HIDDLESTON
DIRECTED BY: JENNIFER PEEDOM
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 4 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 128 MINUTES
The question often asked when discussing Mount Everest is, “Why do we climb massive mountains that can lead to our deaths?” Part of the answer is simple: because we can. But deeper reflection leads me to believe we climb these enormous formations of rock, ice, snow, and minerals because they challenge us to conquer the seemingly impossible. In Jennifer Peedom’s Tenzing, that challenge looms large as Mount Everest towers in the background while Tenzing Norgay (played spectacularly by newcomer Genden Phuntsok) gazes up at its seemingly insurmountable heights and dares to conquer the mountain once and for all. Through the spectacular telling of his story, Tenzing emerges as the most inspiring film of the year, a fitting tribute to a man who refused to give up until he reached the summit and finally received the recognition he so richly deserved.
The story begins in the Tibetan valley where Tenzing was born, with Everest looming above as his parents struggle to survive as yak herders. Orphaned at a young age, Tenzing is taken in by monks and forced into a life of poverty and servitude. There, he befriends Kinzom (Lhakpa Tsamchoe), who will become the love of his life and eventual wife. Yet Tenzing yearns for something more: the opportunity to join expeditions to climb Everest. Getting there, however, is no simple feat. After facing rejection from the British government, Tenzing remains determined to become a Sherpa and refuses to take no for an answer. Through persistence and hard work, he eventually leads numerous treks. With Kinzom’s blessing, an understanding with expedition leader John Hunt (Willem Dafoe), and a growing kinship with Sir Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston), Tenzing works his way toward becoming the lead Sherpa on an expedition to summit Mount Everest.
Structurally, Tenzing tells the full-circle story of Norgay, tracing his journey from childhood through his early climbing expeditions to his harrowing triumph atop the world’s tallest mountain. Written by Peedom and Luke Davies and inspired by the book Tenzing: Hero of Everest, the film succeeds on multiple levels by bringing Norgay’s remarkable journey to life. It feels exactly as long as it needs to be, beginning with Tenzing’s humble origins before chronicling his relentless pursuit of becoming one of the world’s greatest climbers. In the second half, the narrative shifts into a gripping fight for survival against Everest’s unforgiving elements, and it is here that Tenzing becomes truly enthralling. The visual effects are flawless, often leaving me wondering, “Did they actually climb Mount Everest?” The mountainsides, filmed in New Zealand, are breathtakingly rendered in brilliant shades of white, while the mounting tension comes from the constant threats of dwindling oxygen, violent storms, and the ever-present possibility of death. With every step toward the summit, the danger grows. Yet amid these perilous conditions, the relationship between Tenzing and Hillary gradually develops into an unspoken bond built on trust, respect, and a shared determination to reach the top.
The true mark of a great film is its ability to thrill us even when we already know the outcome. It is no secret that Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary were the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest, yet Tenzing remains an enthralling and deeply emotional journey. I sat in the theater alongside my fellow moviegoers, surrounded by silence, our eyes glued to the massive screen until the very last credit rolled. Tenzing is a film to be experienced, a work of art that honors a man who started at the bottom and climbed his way to the very top. His extraordinary accomplishments deserve a film this spectacular. Now go climb your own mountain, and do it for Tenzing.
4 STARS
TENZING IS PLAYING IN SELECT THEATERS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9TH, 2026 AND STREAMING ON APPLE TV ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2026.
Written by: Leo Brady
