Netflix’s “Skyscraper Live” is a nerve-wracking watch. This 120-minute special features mountain climber Alex Honnold ascending Taiwan’s skyscraper, Taipei 101, without any assistance. There is, of course, an exciting element to this extraordinary feat, but much of it is overshadowed by the feeling of anxiety in the pit of your stomach. Although some standard safety protocols were in place, Honnold used no ropes or harnesses on this daring climb. Fortunately, he reached the spire of Taipei 101 after an hour and 31 minutes and was able to rappel down to a high floor to exit smoothly.
If you’re interested in more Honnold-centric exploits (preferably ones that are a little more controlled in terms of risk), 2018’s “Free Solo” is the perfect documentary to check out. Directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“The Rescue”)the film chronicles Honnold’s attempt to solo climb the 3,000-foot rock face of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. It was something no one had attempted at the time, adding to the pressure of doing the impossible under the scrutiny of a dozen cameras documenting Honnold’s every move. But Honnold exudes a friendly calm throughout “Free Solo,” the same way he seems relaxed during “Skyscraper Live” despite physical exhaustion halfway through the climb.
“Free Solo” is not just the portrait of an inspiring climber. It’s also a brilliantly shot exploration of human determination in the face of great obstacles. In Honnold’s case, the odds are certainly self-inflicted, as those close to him believe. Why he is so eager to relentlessly court danger. “Free Solo” seeks to answer that question, enough to win the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.
Free Solo is an ambitious snapshot of Alex Honnold’s daring exploits
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin were aware of the risks of documenting Alex Honnold’s journey in “Free Solo.” For starters, several professionals had to climb the climb alongside Honnold, and even a safe, assisted attempt could lead to tragedy. There is also the risk of distracting Honnold, who has no safety measures to rely on, drastically reducing the margin for error to zero. When Honnold finally succeeds, the tense adrenaline fueling everyone turns to fear and elation. This feeling alone makes “Free Solo” a nail-biting watch, as the documentary presents every aspect of El Capitan’s rise in visceral and astonishing detail.
But what motivates Honnold, helping him to remain calm in the face of such dangers? Although the climber didn’t offer a clear answer, Chin – also an accomplished climber – deduced that Honnold’s determination stemmed from his need to do what he loves, no matter the risks it might pose. As he once said The guardian:
“If you had a superpower and you could fly, you probably would, right? The drive and ambition to do something that drives you, that you love – it’s hard to put that aside and not use it. […] But the floor routine lasts four hours. And every move, every second, you have to be perfect, knowing that if you make one mistake, you die.”
While “Skyscraper Live” is a public spectacle, “Free Solo” offers a more personal perspective on Honnold’s talents, touching on his relationships and the evolution of his worldview. Similar documentaries, like 2024’s “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” have attempted to replicate Vasarhelyi and Chin’s work, but “Free Solo” remains special for good reason.
“Free Solo” is streaming on Disney+.
