Contains spoilers

When we watch Nepali films, we often see familiar stories about caste discrimination, migration, or struggles in rural life. Romantic films, though filled with humour, haven’t left a lasting mark lately. ‘Jerry on Top’ takes a slightly different route, defined by wealth, ambition, and family pride. Formal dinners, luxury homes, and expensive cars form part of the story of a privileged young man trying to prove himself to his father.

The movie opens with a car race between father Bijay (Bhuwan KC) and son Jerry (Anmol KC). But the real race is of pride and ego. This scene sets the film’s mood, showing how competition and arrogance shape the father-son relationship.

Director Suyog Gurung, known for Sano Mann (2019) and Farki Farki (2024), presents a visually grand film this time, highlighting the urban scene alongside breathtaking views of the mountains. However, the story by Hem Raj BC could have been stronger. While it tries to explore themes of ambition and self-discovery, the storytelling lacks clarity and sometimes doesn’t make sense. Certain moments, such as a millionaire’s son requesting public donations to climb Everest and receiving them, or the film’s casual treatment of cheating and emotional boundaries, undermine the story’s credibility. These weak points reduce the emotional impact.

Anmol KC once again plays the role of a rich, spoiled kid dependent on his father’s wealth and influence. Jerry feels overshadowed by his father and unsure of his abilities. While looking through an old photo album, he learns that his father once aimed to climb Mount Everest but returned after reaching the base camp. This sparks a desire in him to prove himself—to take on the challenge of Everest and show his father that he can achieve something independently.

To test his determination, his father devises a plan to halt the office lift and instructs him to climb the stairs to reach the top of the 20-storey building. Jerry accomplishes this, which persuades his father that he might be capable of climbing Everest. However, this scene feels far from convincing. Climbing a few stairs cannot justify readiness for an expedition as demanding as Everest, which requires immense physical training, mental strength, and the ability to survive in extreme conditions. The moment oversimplifies the challenge.

Meanwhile, Jerry’s fiancée Shreya (Aanchal Sharma) plans to launch an app she has been developing. Due to this, she cannot join Jerry in his Everest expedition. Jerry feels disappointed and questions her priorities, asking whether her career is more important than him. This shows how Jerry is used to getting everything he wants and struggles when things don’t go his way.

The film moves naturally through Lukla, Namche Bazaar, and the base camp, with cinematography that captures the atmosphere of these places, making the journey visually captivating. In Namche Bazaar, Jerry gets into a bar fight and falls ill. His guide, Pema (Jassita Gurung), looks after him, and the film hints at a possible love triangle.

However, the film handles this casually, normalising cheating and blurred emotional boundaries rather than exploring them meaningfully. In a scene, Jerry flirts with Pema while Shreya unexpectedly arrives. Pema tries to maintain distance, realising Jerry is already engaged, but the lack of clarity and communication leaves both women caught in the middle.

Kedar Ghimire, known as Magne Buda, plays Bijay’s brother-in-law. His character feels more like a shadow than a person, simply agreeing with whatever Bijay says, almost like a puppet. While his natural comic timing brings a few rare laughs, the writing limits him to being a supporter rather than a character with purpose. Usha Khadgi, as Jerry’s mother Kavya, has limited screen time but delivers a fine, calming performance that balances the tension between father and son. Gurung as Pema, brings quiet confidence, making her presence felt even in a story centred on Jerry.

At the base camp, the team is managed by Grace (Surakshya Panta), who brings firmness and discipline to her role. She is vocal about Jerry’s lack of seriousness and preparation. She suggests he might be better off photoshopping a picture at the Everest summit and returning home, as the climb is clearly not for him. Ironically, in the next scene, Jerry does precisely that—he fakes a photo at the summit and returns to Kathmandu to celebrate his fake victory.

His family celebrates his “achievement,” completely unaware of the truth. When the truth gets out later, a growing guilt pushes him to take the climb seriously. He records a video asking for public forgiveness and funding. The film, however, does not explain why the public would provide financing to the son of a millionaire.

In a similarly questionable turn, Shreya, who earlier expressed her wish to be independent and career-focused, ends up selling her app—her life’s work—to fund Jerry’s Everest mission. This not only weakens her character’s integrity but also reinforces the idea that her ambitions exist only to serve Jerry’s personal journey. The film attempts to present this as an act of love, but it ultimately undermines realism and emotional consistency.

As Jerry pushes towards the summit, tension builds. At one point, Pema, an experienced climber, considers turning back due to the dangerous conditions and falling avalanches. Jerry persuades her to continue, insisting this climb is vital for him and that he could never forgive himself if he fails. They reach the summit, and Jerry survives the descent despite his lack of experience and low oxygen. Ironically, Pema, the expert climber, struggles with her leaking oxygen tank.

In the end, ‘Jerry on Top’ tries to mix love, ego, and ambition against the grandeur of Everest, but stumbles in its storytelling. The film’s stunning visuals and emotional setup are weighed down by weak logic and inconsistent writing. Despite its promises, it leaves viewers wishing the story had climbed as high as its setting.

Jerry On Top

Director: Suyog Gurung

Cast: Anmol KC, Bhuwan KC, Jassita Gurung, Aanchal Sharma, Kedar Ghimire

Duration: 180 minutes

Year: 2025

Language: Nepali