The Devil’s Climb: Release date, Trailer, plot, cast, & Everything we know About the Documentary Special

National Geographic has just unveiled the official trailer and key art for The Devil’s Climb, an exhilarating documentary that promises to be one of its most captivating offerings yet. 

This special follows renowned climbers Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell as they take on the legendary and dangerous 9,000-foot peak of Devil’s Thumb, located in the breathtaking yet treacherous Alaskan wilderness. 

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker and fellow climber Renan Ozturk, the documentary showcases the duo’s incredible journey and the challenges they face in their quest to conquer one of North America’s most dangerous mountains.

Intrigued by the adrenaline-pumping adventure that awaits? Prepare to dive deeper into the gripping details about the climbers, their remarkable journey, and the breathtaking landscapes that The Devil’s Climb has in store. With new insights and updates coming your way, you won’t want to miss a moment of this thrilling expedition!

Release date & Where to Watch

The Devil’s Climb is set to premiere on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at 9 pm ET on National Geographic, with streaming available the following day on Disney+ and Hulu.

Plot

The Devil’s Climb follows legendary rock climbers Alex Honnold and Tommy Caldwell on an epic quest to summit the notorious Devil’s Thumb, a perilous 9,000-foot peak nestled in the Alaskan wilderness. This daunting mountain is renowned for its treacherous conditions, making it one of North America's most dangerous climbs.

The documentary captures the emotional and physical challenges the duo faces as they embark on a 2,600-mile journey by bicycle, sailboat, and foot through the American West, Canada, and Alaska. For Caldwell, this expedition represents a chance at redemption following a career-threatening Achilles injury. At the same time, for Honnold, it is a testament to his unwavering determination and support for his friend's return to climbing.

Directed by climber Renan Ozturk, the film documents their attempt to achieve the first-ever single-day traverse of all five peaks of the Devil’s Thumb massif, testing not only their physical limits but also their deep bond as friends and climbers. This extraordinary adventure highlights their rich history of speed climbing and record-setting achievements in the sport.

Cast

• Alex Honnold
• Tommy Caldwell

Official Trailer

Behind the Scenes

Plimsoll Productions is behind The Devil’s Climb, with James Smith, Martha Holmes, Alan Eyres, and Grant Mansfield serving as executive producers. Other executive producers include Peter Mortimer, Jonathan Retseck, Alex Honnold, and Tommy Caldwell. Renan Ozturk directed the film, with Matt Pycroft as co-director and Drew Pulley as the editing director.

For National Geographic, Chris Kugelman is the executive producer, Bengt Anderson is the senior VP of Unscripted Production, and Tom McDonald oversees Global Factual and Unscripted Content.

Reflecting on the project, Caldwell shared with GLHF, "This trip to the Devils Thumb was our biggest yet in terms of calorie output and sustained suffering. Nat Geo assembled an unparalleled group of adventure filmmakers to capture the beauty and grandeur of one of the world’s most remote mountains. I’m thrilled for everyone to witness this story of adventure and friendship."