The Alpinist – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Alpinist

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Breathtaking doc about a humble climber who chose mountains over fame—then died doing what he loved. Heavy but profound.

7.9/10

93%

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The Alpinist

movie

PG-13, 2021

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Breathtaking doc about a humble climber who chose mountains over fame—then died doing what he loved. Heavy but profound.

7.9

93%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a gorgeous, heartbreaking film that will stay with you. Marc-André Leclerc was the real deal—a 23-year-old who climbed for pure love of it, not Instagram likes, and the filmmakers capture both his brilliance and the tragedy of his death with respect and honesty.

It's not easy viewing. You're watching someone pursue their passion knowing they die before the credits roll. The climbing sequences are vertigo-inducing, and the film doesn't shy away from the grief his death caused. But it's also deeply enriching—a meditation on what it means to live authentically and fully, even when that life is short.

For families with mature teens, this can spark incredible conversations about risk, purpose, and how we choose to spend our limited time. Just know what you're signing up for: this isn't Free Solo's triumph narrative. It's more complex, more melancholy, and ultimately more human.

Age Fit

Best for ages 14+ who can handle real death and complex emotions about risk and mortality. Younger teens might watch with parental guidance, but this isn't escapist entertainment—it's a meditation on living and dying that requires maturity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Documents a humble, passionate young climber who eschews fame and social media for pure love of his craft. Marc-André's quiet dedication, authenticity, and genuine relationships model positive values. However, the film's subject matter involves extreme risk-taking that ends tragically (he dies in an avalanche during filming), which complicates the 'healthy choices' messaging.

Imaginative

Stunning cinematography of remote alpine environments sparks wonder and curiosity about the natural world. Marc-André's approach to climbing—finding new routes, problem-solving in extreme conditions, visualizing impossible ascents—showcases creative thinking and human potential. The film invites viewers to consider what drives people to explore boundaries and redefine what's possible.

Safe

This is where it gets tricky. The film documents real death—Marc-André and his climbing partner die in an avalanche, and the filmmakers grapple with this loss on camera. There are tense sequences of potential falls from thousands of feet, ice climbing in avalanche conditions, and the existential dread of solo climbing without ropes. Common Sense Media rates it 13+, which feels right. No gore, nudity, or profanity, but the emotional weight of watching someone pursue—and ultimately lose their life to—their passion is heavy. Not a 'surprise' given it's a climbing documentary, but definitely intense.

Enriching

Exceptional character study that prompts deep questions about purpose, risk, passion, and mortality. Teens and adults will find themselves contemplating what it means to live authentically, the price of pursuing excellence, and how we measure a life well-lived. The film respectfully handles Marc-André's death while honoring his philosophy. Strong critical reception (93% RT critics, 97% audience, 7.9 IMDb) reflects its emotional and intellectual impact.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning cinematography that makes you feel the vertigo and beauty of alpine climbing
Marc-André's authenticity is refreshing—a young person who rejected social media fame for genuine passion
Raises profound questions about risk, purpose, and what makes a life meaningful
Shows the filmmaking process itself, including the ethical dilemmas of documenting dangerous pursuits
Celebrates living fully and pursuing mastery, even when the stakes are ultimate

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What to Watch For

The subject dies during filming—this isn't a spoiler, it's the emotional core of the film's second half
Intense climbing sequences where one slip means death; anxiety-inducing for some viewers
Heavy themes about mortality that require emotional maturity to process
May spark difficult conversations about acceptable risk and whether some dreams are 'worth dying for'

Conversation Starters

"Marc-André said he climbed because it made him feel alive. What makes you feel that way?"
"Do you think the filmmakers should have tried harder to stop him, or was it right to let him make his own choices?"
"He chose not to film most of his climbs or seek fame. How does that compare to how people share achievements today?"
"What's the difference between following your passion and taking reckless risks?"
"How would you want to be remembered if you died young doing what you loved?"

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