Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Climbers face peril in moving biopic with positive messages.
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Tenzing
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
As a child growing up on the Tibetan plateau, TENZING Norgay (played as a boy by Samdrup Dorje Lama) feels a unique connection with the sacred Chomolungma, known in English as Mount Everest. When his family is evicted from their home and forced to flee on foot to another country, Tenzing gets left behind in a small village due to illness. There, he grows up (Tenzin Delah plays him as a young man) in another culture and eventually falls in love with his childhood friend Dawa (Choeden Sherpa as a girl, Ang Pemba Sherpa as an adult). Together, against Dawa's father's wishes, the two travel to India to marry and follow Tenzing's dream of accompanying Western climbers to the top of the mountain. He'll need to learn English and gather endorsements to join climbs as a sherpa. After several successful climbs that almost reach Everest's peak, Tenzing (Genden Phuntsok) is selected to lead the sherpas on a new climb organized by British Colonel John Hunt (Willem Dafoe). There, he will befriend "Kiwi" climber Edmund Hillary (Tom Hiddleston) and be responsible for helping steer the entire crew up the sacred mountain.
Is It Any Good?
A biopic reminiscent of 1980s and '90s-era epics like Gandhi and The Last Emperor, this is an emotional and uplifting film that centers on a lesser-known historical figure. Tenzing also provides a great companion piece to the slew of recent mountain climbing documentaries available to stream. Making an impressive scripted feature debut, director Jennifer Peedom tells Tenzing's story reverently, seeking authenticity as well as a dash of mysticism in the legendary climber's origin story. She achieves both, propped up by sensitive performances (Phuntsok radiates thoughtfulness and Dalha charisma; Hiddleston is a strong secondary character), magnificent locations, local-language dialogues, and a parallel story structure that unfolds the historical climb alongside Tenzing's life story. It all makes for an emotional two-hour experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the qualities Tenzing embodies—such as courage, perseverance, and humility—that make him both successful at achieving his dreams and historic in his accomplishments. Can you think of specific scenes where he demonstrates each of these character strengths?
Why do you think humans are so driven to climb tall mountains? Has that drive changed from the mid-century era depicted in this film and today? How so?
Edmund Hillary is better known worldwide for the climb depicted in this film than Tenzing. Why do you think that is, and has that dynamic changed since the 1950s? How do the different men conceive of and treat the mountain?
Tenzing is considered an outsider by both the Sherpas and the British. How did his childhood prepare him for this? How does he manage to communicate and operate within each group? What are some examples?
Which locations in this film were most memorable to you—the mountains, the villages, or the towns—and why? Where could you find more information about where this film was shot?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 9, 2026
- On DVD or streaming : October 16, 2026
- Cast : Genden Phuntsok , Tom Hiddleston , Willem Dafoe
- Director : Jennifer Peedom
- Studio : Apple TV / Apple Original Films
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Adventures , Competition , Family Stories ( Dads , Moms , Single Parents ) , Friendship , History ( Biopic ) , Travel
- Character Strengths : Courage , Humility , Perseverance
- Run time : 126 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements, language, smoking and some peril
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : October 13, 2026
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