Hanging By a Wire
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Synopsis
When a cable car malfunctions in the mountains, eight people including six students are trapped high above a valley. As time runs out before the final cable fails, rescue teams work against the clock to save the stranded passengers.
Moviegoers are saying
This documentary about the harrowing 2023 Pakistani cable car rescue divides audiences between those gripped by its thriller-like intensity and those frustrated by missed opportunities to explore deeper social issues. While reviewers praise the incredible real footage and edge-of-your-seat tension, many feel the film stretches a compelling 5-minute story too thin and sidesteps important conversations about classism and the beloved 'Sky Pirates' who locals wanted to handle the rescue.
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Summary generated from the text of Atom User reviews
Letterboxd User Reviews
3.4
962
746
234
- Jan 22, 2026
On the morning of August 22, 2023, something went horribly wrong in the remote mountains of Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province: A makeshift gondola that was carrying eight people — most of them teenagers on their way to school — from one peak to another was left…
davidehrlichJan 29, 2026If this play on “The Rescue” had bigger stones it would more clearly call out the classism involved in the sidelining of the sky pirates and the propaganda campaign sold by these crass officials and the zip line rescuers. The latter decided to wear t-shirts from their…
Robert DanielsJan 22, 2026Y'all shoulda just let the sky pirates handle it. Could've had this wrapped by sundown.
Derrick Murray - Jan 30, 2026
A riveting story of bravery and heroism featuring incredible, mind-blowing footage.
David ChenOct 15, 2026في باكستان 2023 حصلت حادثة شهيرة قلبت البلد هناك وقتها ... تلفريك بيستخدمه أهل البلدة عشان يتنقلوا زيه زي المعديّة عندنا في مصر مثلا ... التلفريك ده أسلاكه اتقطعت وفضل متعلّق في الهوا على سلك أو اتنين وهو جواه 8 أرواح منهم 6 مراهقين منهم واحد عنده مشكلة في القلب وأغمى عليه…
Mohammed DeifallahJan 29, 2026They absolutely should have let the Sky Pirate do his thing. The best part of this documentary is how it explores the classism inherent in the situation, I just wish that element were a sharper focus. Sundance #31
Marya E. Gates - Oct 14, 2026
The biggest tragedy here is how this could've been solved so much sooner with a few working brain cells. Why did the police need to hold a meeting in the office? Just come up with a plan right on the spot! You guys are lucky the villagers didn't have the access or power to…
JoeJoeJoeJan 24, 2026Palms sweating the entire time. Theme with all the Sundance docs I’ve seen so far is that the people just need to take matters into their own hands.
Jenni KayeOct 13, 2026This felt more like a advertisement for Ali's zipline business, Army and Police and they did Sahib bad. You know, I’m something of a Documentarian myself
Rahul
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Feb 2, 2026
Hanging by a Wire emphasizes the self-reliance of the people of Battagram, who are accustomed to solving problems on their own. Naqvi brings us along to witness their strength and determination on display.
Bradley Gibson
Film Threat
Jan 31, 2026
Perhaps if the film was more polished, and had some added depth, it might feel more substantial. As is, Hanging by a Wire is a gripping story not told thoroughly enough.
Richard Lawson
The Hollywood Reporter
Jan 31, 2026
The movie’s narrow focus on the pre-existing conditions that fed into the cable car crisis does more to flatten the people involved than it does to bring new dimension to their ordeal.
David Ehrlich
IndieWire
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Hanging By a Wire (2026)?
The movie is 1hr 38min long.
What's Hanging By a Wire (2026) about?
When a cable car malfunctions in the mountains, eight people including six students are trapped high above a valley. As time runs out before the final cable fails, rescue teams work against the clock to save the stranded passengers.
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