Chris Hemsworth has offered an intimate look at his father Craig Hemsworth’s battle with Alzheimer’s in his latest National Geographic documentary, giving viewers a moving account of family, memory, and resilience. Chris Hemsworth’s Alzheimer’s journey, captured in “A Road Trip to Remember,” premiered on Disney+ and Hulu on November 24, 2025, following the actor and his dad across Australia as they confronted this life-changing diagnosis together.
A Family Confronts Alzheimer’s: Chris Hemsworth’s Story Begins
The new documentary opens with Chris Hemsworth introducing his father Craig’s diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s, which began showing signs in the past two years. Viewers quickly learn about the personal side of the diagnosis and its effect not just on Craig, but on the whole Hemsworth family. Chris, who is widely recognized for his role as Thor, candidly talks about feelings of regret over time missed with his dad and the unexpected reality of his father’s illness.
“It’s so easy to take our parents for granted. I feel I’ve been so busy I haven’t spent as much time with my dad as I would want to … and there was the diagnosis,”
Chris said, reflecting on how life’s pace makes such pivotal moments even more impactful.
“He has early-stage Alzheimer’s and there’s definitely good days and bad days.”
— Chris Hemsworth, Actor
The precise timing of Craig’s diagnosis is unclear, but Chris has previously shared that he himself has a heightened genetic risk for Alzheimer’s, having inherited two copies of the APOE4 gene associated with the disease.
Exploring Australia for Healing and Reminiscence
Chris Hemsworth decided that taking his father on a road trip around meaningful parts of Australia would be both a bonding experience and a practical way to support Craig through reminiscence therapy—a method proven to help dementia patients connect with their past and bolster their memory. The film follows their father-son journey as they revisit old homes and childhood haunts, hoping the familiar scenes will help spark memories and emotional connections.
“I wanna do everything I can to help him so my dad and I are going on a road trip. It’s something we’ve been talking about for years,”
Chris recounted with determination.
“Turns out the experience could help fight the disease. If it helps, fantastic. But I’m just looking forward to spending time with my dad.”
— Chris Hemsworth, Actor
Facing the Realities of Alzheimer’s: Challenges and Doubts
As the documentary progresses, Chris admits to the emotional struggle of adjusting to his father’s changing condition. The unpredictable nature of Alzheimer’s, and the gradual impact it has on personality and daily life, leaves many questions for Chris and his family.
“It’s confronting and [a] really tough thing to navigate because it’s something about his personality that is … It’s not a stubbornness but there’s a route of how he does things,”
Chris explained.
“I’m not sure if he’s forgetting this or is he insisting on doing it this way. Or is this a symptom? I don’t know.”
— Chris Hemsworth, Actor
Despite uncertainties, the Hemsworths remain committed to supporting Craig, learning from specialists including neurologists and clinicians, and consulting clinical psychologist Dr. Suraj Samtani. Dr. Samtani shared with Chris that social interactions and reconnecting with significant places from the past could have therapeutic effects for Alzheimer’s patients, encouraging the road trip as a form of reminiscence therapy.
“So my road trip with my dad is also going to be a trip back into our past to exercise his memory in order to strengthen it,”
Chris narrated as they embarked on their journey by motorbike. — Chris Hemsworth, Actor
Returning to Melbourne: Recreating the Hemsworths’ Family Home
The first leg of their adventure took Chris and Craig to their former home in Melbourne. More than just a visit, the current owners allowed the Hemsworths to restore the house to its appearance from when the family lived there, even including old furniture and family photos from that era.
“Revisiting the house was certainly strange,”
Craig reflected.
“The detail was extraordinary … It’s very satisfying recognizing stuff I hadn’t thought about for a long while.”
— Craig Hemsworth, Father
Chris’s childhood bedroom was even recreated, complete with memorabilia and photos—so authentic that Chris joked about hiding old pictures of ex-girlfriends from his wife. This homecoming was anticipated as a powerful moment for the family, and Chris arranged for his mother, Leonie Hemsworth, to join the gathering. While waiting for her, Craig repeatedly asked about her whereabouts, a reminder of his condition’s impact on memory and orientation. Leonie described the visit as emotionally intense due to the overwhelming memories unleashed by being back in their former home.
Leonie Hemsworth Reflects on the Emotional Toll
As the documentary continues, Leonie Hemsworth shares her candid feelings about supporting Craig through his illness, expressing the difficulty of watching her partner change.
“As a partner, it’s difficult because I want him to be the person that he was. I want the relationship,”
Leonie confessed through tears.
“I want that relationship. Sometimes I wake up in the middle [of the] night and it’s quite terrifying where it’s all going.”
— Leonie Hemsworth, Partner
Discovering Home Movies and Nostalgia
Among the keepsakes at their Melbourne home, Chris stumbled upon a VHS tape featuring the very first movie he made with his brothers, an at-home adventure titled “Croc Hunter.” This playful creation echoed the persona of Steve Irwin, whom Chris admired as a child.
“Crikey! How you going, folks? We got a real bloody ripper in store for you today,”
a young Chris exclaims on the tape, with Craig later declaring the footage “gold.” — Chris Hemsworth, Actor; Craig Hemsworth, Father
The rediscovered tape stirred laughter and nostalgia in the family, underscoring the power of cherished memories in uniting loved ones through difficult times. Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, even shared the joyful clip online, noting how much his dad would have enjoyed it.
Revisiting the Past: Cattle Herding Days in the Northern Territory
Leaving Melbourne, Chris and Craig journeyed into the Australian Outback where they once lived. This stage of the trip included a stop in Bulman, an Aboriginal community where Craig worked as a cattle herder and bull wrangler before the family moved to the city. There, Craig reunited with longtime friend Spencer Martin, rekindling their connection in an emotional scene.
“It’s amazing watching them together and seeing the connection they have and the friendship they shared,”
Chris observed during their visit.
“And how immediate and present it is the moment they start talking. You can see it in my dad’s eyes and Spencer’s eyes how much they appreciate their time spent together.”
— Chris Hemsworth, Actor
These reunions brought happiness and clarity at times, but also revealed the challenges of Alzheimer’s, as Chris noticed his father sometimes seemed puzzled about where he was or who he was talking to. Nonetheless, Craig described the trip to Bulman as “wonderful,” grateful for the chance to reconnect with his roots and old friends.
An Honest Conversation by the Campfire
On the final night, Chris and Craig camped out in the forest, sharing an emotional, honest conversation about living with Alzheimer’s. Craig opened up about his fears, including feeling like a burden and being disconnected from his loved ones. Chris assured his father of his unconditional support and love, reaffirming the family’s commitment to caring for him, and the pair exchanged moving confessions of their affection for one another during this pivotal, intimate moment.
The Therapeutic Power of Reminiscence
Reflecting on the journey, Chris admitted he was unsure if the trip would bring lasting improvement to Craig’s condition but was heartened by short-term changes in his father’s engagement and spirit. Their experience illustrated both the rewards and the ongoing uncertainty faced by families dealing with dementia.
“I don’t know if this grand piece of reminiscence therapy will have a long-term effect. I noticed in the short term, he became more engaging and outspoken and comfortable,”
Chris acknowledged after their travels.
“So hopefully this continues on, but right now, I’m so thankful for how I saw things awaken in him. I have him right here with me, and hopefully I have many more years, but ultimately I don’t know and I don’t have any control over that. I just find myself wanting to spend more time with him and appreciating every moment.”
— Chris Hemsworth, Actor
A Journey’s Impact: Raising Awareness and Cherishing Time
Chris Hemsworth’s Alzheimer’s journey with his father Craig is a deeply personal story with a universal message about the importance of family, connection, and cherishing time with loved ones in the face of adversity. By sharing their experiences publicly, the Hemsworths offer hope and insight to the many families dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, shining a spotlight on the positive effects that reminiscence, togetherness, and empathy can have for patients and their support networks.
The documentary not only highlights the value of reminiscence therapy for dementia patients but also underscores how love and support from family can help navigate even the toughest challenges. As Chris looks forward to making more memories with his dad, his story invites viewers everywhere to reflect on their own relationships and the need to value each moment spent with those dearest to them.
