Tom Hiddleston’s “wondrous” real-life drama with Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe gets first look
Tom Hiddleston’s “wondrous” drama Tenzing has revealed an exciting first look, ahead of its upcoming premiere. The biopic, which also stars Outlander’s Caitríona Balfe, will be screening at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this September.
Based on true events, Tenzing tells the story of Nepalese-Indian Sherpa climber Tenzing Norgay, who was the first to reach the summit of Mount Everest, alongside New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary.
With the help of expedition secretary Jill Henderson, Tenzing convinces Colonel John Hunt that he deserves a spot on the British climbing team – having already served them on past trips. The movie chronicles his part in the historic 1953 British Mount Everest expedition.
Courtesy of TIFF
“Where Western climbers see ‘Everest’ as something to be conquered, Tenzing reveres ‘Chomolungma’ as the sacred mother goddess,” reads the synopsis. “What follows is an ascent defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself.
“But high above the world, empire, rank and aspiration fall away, leaving two outsiders bound by mutual respect and trust — and for Tenzing, the fulfillment of both a lifelong dream and a spiritual calling.”
The movie is directed by award-winning filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, and stars Genden Phuntsok in the titular role, opposite Hiddleston as Edmund Hillary. A first-look image sees the pair looking exhausted but valiant as they make the dangerous journey across the snowy landscape.
“Tenzing is a story of greatness that refuses to be diminished — and the love that makes it possible,” the synopsis adds.
Neil Mockford – Getty Images
The movie also stars Thinley Lhamo as Tenzing’s wife Dawa, Balfe as Jill Henderson, and Willem Dafoe as John Hunt. It will arrive on Apple TV on 16 October, following a limited cinematic release.
Described by TIFF as “wondrous”, the biopic will make its Canadian premiere at the festival between 10-20 September, with the full screening schedule yet to be announced. Though its world premiere hasn’t been confirmed, it seems likely that Tenzing will also screen at the Telluride Film Festival, which takes places in Colorado from 4-7 September 2026.
