If your kids have spent any time on YouTube watching "stunt" creators or influencers doing "extreme" things for clicks, Meru is the perfect antidote. This isn't a 15-second TikTok of someone jumping off a roof into a pool. This is a multi-year saga of three men—Conrad Anker, Jimmy Chin, and Renan Ozturk—trying to conquer the 21,000-foot Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru in Northern India.

The Shark's Fin is a technical nightmare. It’s not just a "hike" to the top; it’s a vertical wall of granite that requires "big wall" climbing skills at oxygen-deprived altitudes. The film captures their first attempt in 2008 (where they failed miserably and nearly died just 100 meters from the summit) and their return in 2011.

It’s directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (the same duo behind Free Solo), and it feels less like a sports movie and more like a psychological study of what happens when human will meets an immovable object.

We talk a lot about "grit" in modern parenting. We want our kids to be resilient. We want them to handle a bad grade or a lost soccer game with poise. But Meru shows a level of resilience that is almost uncomfortable to watch.

In their first attempt, the team spends 19 days on the wall, running out of food and enduring a massive storm, only to turn back a few hundred feet from the top. For most people, that’s a "never again" moment. In Meru, it’s a setup for a comeback. It teaches kids that failure isn't the end of the story—it’s the data you need for the next attempt.

One of the climbers, Renan Ozturk, suffers a catastrophic injury between the two attempts—a fractured skull and a stroke during a separate filming trip. Watching his journey from "learning to walk again" to "climbing the hardest peak in the world" in five months is insane. It’s a great talking point about the difference between being "cleared by a doctor" and being "mentally ready" to face a challenge.

Usually, movies about "extreme" men are about one guy trying to be the best. Meru is about a team. There’s a beautiful, non-toxic portrayal of male friendship here. They look out for each other, they argue about safety, and they make decisions based on the collective good rather than individual glory. In a world of Roblox "every man for himself" gaming or competitive social media posturing, this is a breath of fresh air.

Ask our chatbot about other documentaries that teach resilience

Let’s be real: Meru is rated R. Why? Because when you’re hanging off a cliff in a blizzard and you realize you’re about to die, you don't say "gosh darn it."

The biggest hurdle for parents watching this is the "Why would you do this?" factor. Conrad Anker’s wife and children are featured in the film, and their perspective is heartbreakingly honest. They know he might not come home.

This is the perfect opening to talk to your kids about Calculated Risk vs. Reckless Abandon.

If your kid is obsessed with MrBeast or other high-adrenaline creators, Meru provides a much-needed reality check on what "extreme" actually looks like when there are no cameras or safety nets.

Learn more about how to talk to your kids about digital "stunt" culture

If the "climbing bug" hits after the credits roll, here are some other ways to keep the conversation going without actually having to buy a harness and a van:

The "blockbuster" of climbing docs. Alex Honnold climbs El Capitan with no ropes. It’s terrifying, visually stunning, and explores the brain of someone who literally doesn't feel fear the way we do.

Focuses on Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson. It’s much more focused on the technical "puzzle" of climbing and the incredible patience required to stay on a wall for weeks at a time.

A look at Nimsdai Purja, a Nepali climber who attempted to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks in seven months. It’s a great look at the Sherpa and Nepali perspective on high-altitude climbing, which is often ignored in Western docs.

Fair warning: this one is harrowing. It’s a docudrama about a disaster in the Andes. It’s the ultimate "what would you do to survive?" story. Best for older teens (15+).

The classic book about the 1996 Everest disaster. If your teen is a reader, this is the gold standard for understanding the "summit fever" that drives people to make terrible decisions.

After the movie ends, don't just ask "Did you like it?" Try these:

Meru is a rare 10/10 documentary. It’s not "brain rot" content; it’s high-protein media for the soul. It respects its audience enough to show the ugly parts of ambition—the frostbite, the ego, the fear—while still celebrating the incredible things humans can do.

If you have a teen who feels stuck or discouraged, or if you just want to watch something that will make your own daily stresses feel a lot more manageable, put this on. Just maybe keep a pillow nearby to squeeze during the vertical segments.

Check out our guide on finding age-appropriate documentaries for your family