Chris Hemsworth’s immense charm and willingness to poke fun at himself are put to good use in Disney+ and National Geographic’s Limitless with Chris Hemsworth. The six-part documentary series finds Chris Hemsworth attempting to battle time and take on the aging process through a series of intense physical challenges.
Each obstacle tossed his way helps Hemsworth in his journey to understand how human bodies can combat illnesses and perform better, even as we age. Nearly all the incredible acts of strength and endurance showcased in Limitless with Chris Hemsworth are beyond what most humans are capable of. (There’s a legitimate reason why Hemsworth perfectly inhabits the role of Thor, Marvel’s ripped God of Thunder.) But even though we normal mortals might not be able to climb a 100-foot rope or walk across a crane 900 feet above the ground, the goal of each episode is to be able to take the lessons Hemsworth learns and incorporate them into our everyday lives. The extreme challenges are merely a way of entertaining while educating.
The six one-hour-ish episodes each focus on a specific human condition that can be addressed to combat aging. Filmed over the course of a year, Hemsworth’s a good sport about each of the challenges, but it’s also obvious he’s very serious about doing what it takes to live a longer, healthier life. Hemsworth makes clear he’s doing this for his family, and in fact, his brothers and spouse, actor Elsa Pataky, even join Chris in a few of the episodes.
The “Stress-Proof” episode is not for the faint of heart and will have the exact opposite effort of battling stress for those who are acrophobic. My fear of heights is so intense that I avoid sitting in upper decks in stadiums and avoid looking out hotel windows above the sixth floor. I had a visceral reaction to watching Hemsworth, who also admits to a dislike of heights, prepare for and then actually attempt to walk across a suspended beam outside of a skyscraper. That said, the lesson of combating the vicious circle of stress leading to more stress sunk in. Learning to face stressors head-on helps your body resist its fight-or-flight impulses.
“Shock” features Chris Hemsworth, who hates the cold, putting his body through the rigors of a freezing open water swim in the Arctic. The episode’s meant to explore how embracing extreme heat and extreme cold might add years to your life. And, again, it shows Hemsworth’s not above admitting to his weaknesses.
“Fasting” provides a lesson in how our bodies react to going without food, and how a four-day fast can basically reboot our bodies and stimulate the repair of damaged cells. And the “Strength” episode challenges the incredibly fit actor to climb a 100’ rope dangling over a canyon – and confirms Hemsworth can fail, just like the rest of us.
It’s not necessary to watch Limitless with Chris Hemsworth in any order, except for “Acceptance.” Keep that one aside until you’ve watched the others. “Acceptance” differs in that it’s much more of a mental and emotional challenge than necessarily physical. Stuffed inside an age simulator suit that weighs him down and restricts his movements, Hemsworth actually experiences how old age feels over three days at a retirement village.
Surprisingly, “Acceptance” is the episode that shows Chris Hemsworth at his most vulnerable. It’s also the episode that will likely have the greatest impact on how viewers think about the elderly and growing old. Don’t be shocked if you get a little teary-eyed doing so.
The goal of Limitless with Chris Hemsworth is to offer suggestions for lifestyle changes that can be put into place now to prepare for the future. Each episode features an expert on a specific topic who assists Hemsworth and suggests relatively simple tweaks in our day-to-day lives that can make huge differences as we age.
Hemsworth also makes a point at the conclusion of each episode to explain how he’ll incorporate what he’s learned into his life, and his suggestions are items that most people are capable of accomplishing.
Limitless with Chris Hemsworth takes a thoughtful, professional approach to the subject of aging. Although the challenges are extreme, the science behind them is explained in detail, allowing viewers the opportunity to understand how to better their lives. And best of all, Chris Hemsworth proves to be the perfect narrator on this entertaining and educational journey.
GRADE: B+
The series was created by Darren Aronofsky and produced by Protozoa and Jane Root’s Nutopia. Limitless with Chris Hemsworth premieres on Disney+ on November 16, 2022.
