Free Solo

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2:27

Free Solo

PG-13

2018

1h 40m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

93%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

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Critics Consensus

Free Solo depicts athletic feats that many viewers will find beyond reason - and grounds the attempts in passions that are all but universal.

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Andrea Gronvall

Chicago Reader

03/03/2020

This awe-inspiring National Geographic documentary is as much a celebration of U.S. parks and wilderness as it is a record of one of the most audacious feats in the history of mountaineering.

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Melanie McFarland

Salon.com

03/05/2019

The visuals are stunning, offering head-spinning views with the comfort of total safety.

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John Doyle

Globe and Mail

03/04/2019

Free Solo...is a jaw-dropper, both in what is documented and its visual impact.

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Bianca Garner

Filmotomy

10/11/2024

The last act of this film is so tense, that it is almost hard to describe. The theatre was silent, as all of the audience held their breath, watching in awe as Honnold began his climb.

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Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

08/20/2022

3.5/5

Alex Honnald is as fascinating as he is enigmatic and soaking up his story proves to be a satisfying experience. Yet despite the amount of time we spend with him it’s hard to get into his headspace.

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

08/17/2022

5/5

An exhilarating, immersive achievement. Free Solo is simply the best sports documentary ever made if you had to categorize it.

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Peter F

@Pfit1990 Feb 4

Both awe-inspiring and a technical illustration. Insane watching him basically just walk up a 3,000 ft wall. Very heartwarming and funny doc as well with the underlying nervous tension of the threat of death. Alex is a unique and blunt character, I really hope he doesn't die.

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Gareth D

@HiGarethDavies Feb 1

A documentary about having a relationship with an autistic partner. Fantastic.

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Jack L

@RT22102532 Jan 31

Free Solo is one of the greatest documentaries I’ve ever seen and fully justifies both the hype and the Oscar it received. Alex Honnold is a fascinating subject, and the film does a brilliant job unpacking what drives someone capable of such extreme focus and risk. While the preparation is incredibly cool, the actual climb is surreal—you’re still nervous the entire time even though you know he survives, and the sheer magnitude of the achievement never diminishes. Combined with absolutely stunning camera work on the wall, this is an easy, emphatic recommendation.

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Ian T.

@IanTrombley Jan 7

pure inspiration never been more on the edge of my seat

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TheMovieSearch R

@TheMovieSearch Dec 18

Free Solo is an enthralling documentary that follows Alex Honnold, a rock climber who tackles some of the world’s most dangerous climbs without ropes. The film captures not only his daring feats but also the immense mental and physical preparation behind them. Honnold’s discipline, training, and lifestyle are presented in a way that draws the audience into his world, making his achievements both thrilling and understandable. The cinematography is breathtaking, with sweeping cliff shots and vertigo-inducing perspectives that immerse viewers in the danger and beauty of his climbs. The director keeps the storytelling tight and engaging, balancing interviews, personal insights, and climbing sequences effectively. While the documentary is gripping and educational, it functions best as a one-time watch, offering an intense glimpse into human courage and dedication. Overall, Free Solo is a visually stunning, suspenseful, and inspiring exploration of extreme ambition and determination.

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Ry N

@RyGuy Dec 7

It’s a nail-biting documentary where you know the guy makes it out alive but it’s still intimidating watching him climb El Capitan with no rope.

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Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Director

Jimmy Chin

Director

Alex Honnold

Self

Tommy Caldwell

Self

Sanni McCandless

Self

Jimmy Chin

Self

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Free Solo: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

Alex Honnold completes the first free solo climb of famed El Capitan's 3,000-foot vertical rock face at Yosemite National Park.

Director: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin
Producer: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, Evan Hayes, Shannon Dill
Distributor: National Geographic Documentary Films
Production Co: Little Monster Films, Itinerant Media
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 28, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 12, 2019
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5M
Runtime: 1h 40m

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