With vertiginous camerawork and white-knuckle adventure, Meru takes a headlong plunge into unpacking the overly simple answer “Because it’s there.” In 2008, three climbers set out to summit the shark fin route on Meru Peak – what is, arguably, the hardest mountain climb in the world. The team, straight out of central casting, was comprised of Conrad Anker, one of the most seasoned and respected alpinists in the world, Jimmy Chin, an elite mountain photographer/videographer, and Renan Ozturk, a young climber looking to prove himself. Their journey, expertly organized by Chai Vasarhelyi with a strong sensitivity for character and narrative, would span years and include injury and tragedy. It all makes for a gripping yarn, but also reveals much about what drives humanity to explore the most dangerous corners of the world.