Thor star Chris Hemsworth's heartfelt road trip with dad shows the healing power of memory

When a parent faces an Alzheimer's diagnosis, many families feel overwhelmed and uncertain about the road ahead. But Chris Hemsworth has turned that uncertainty into something beautiful—a cross-country motorcycle journey that's become both a deeply personal mission and a powerful documentary about fighting back against the disease.

The 42-year-old Thor actor recently shared the trailer for his upcoming National Geographic documentary, A Road Trip to Remember, which follows him and his 70-year-old father Craig on an emotional journey across the country.

Craig was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, prompting the father-son duo to finally take that long-discussed trip back to their roots in the Northern Territory.

'My dad and I are going on a road trip, back into our past,' Chris explains in the heartfelt trailer. 'I wanna do everything I can to help him. Turns out, this experience could help fight the disease.'

A journey back to where it all began

The special follows Hemsworth and his father on their motorcycle 'road trip back in time' from Melbourne into the Northern Territory, revisiting the places that shaped their family story.

Chris, the middle of three now-famous brothers (including actors Luke and Liam), was born in Melbourne in 1983 before moving with his family to the isolated town of Bulman in the Northern Territory, where his earliest memories were formed on cattle stations in the Outback.

'Different places instantly bring those memories to life,' Chris told Deadline.

'My dad and I had always spoken about taking a trip back to the Northern Territory, where our family had lived years ago, but we had never been able to set aside the time to actually do it. More recently, the idea of taking that road trip reemerged with more pressing importance. The result was a more profound, more moving, and more surprising journey than I ever anticipated,' Chris shared.

The science behind the sentiment

What makes this road trip particularly fascinating is the scientific backing behind their approach. The journey is guided by Dr Suraj Samtani, a dementia specialist and clinical psychologist at the University of New South Wales Centre for Healthy Brain Aging, who worked with the Hemsworth family over the course of a year.

The documentary explores something many families don't realise: Dr Samtani's research, along with a recent global study of over 40,000 people across 14 countries, found that those who maintained regular social interactions cut their risk of developing dementia in half, with evidence showing that strong social connections can even slow cognitive decline after diagnosis.

The power of connection in dementia care

Research shows that social engagement, reminiscence therapy, and revisiting meaningful places can:

• Stimulate mental activity and evoke memories
• Slow cognitive decline even after diagnosis
• Improve overall well-being and quality of life
• Provide crucial emotional support for both patients and families

A family's brave battle with genetics

This documentary takes on even deeper meaning when you consider Chris's own relationship with Alzheimer's disease. Three years ago, he discovered he had a high risk of developing Alzheimer's himself during the making of his previous National Geographic series Limitless.

The APOE4 gene is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease, and while 25 per cent of the general population holds one copy of it, Hemsworth was told he has one copy from his mother and a second from his father, putting him among the rare 3 per cent of people who carry two copies of the gene.

'The idea that I won't be able to remember the life I experienced, or my wife, my kids, is probably my biggest fear,' he said at the time.

What families can learn from the Hemsworths

While not every family has the resources for a cross-country motorcycle adventure, the principles behind Chris and Craig's journey are accessible to everyone.

The documentary demonstrates that meaningful connection doesn't require grand gestures—it's about being present, sharing stories, and creating new memories while honouring old ones.

Simple ways to support loved ones with dementia:

• Visit familiar places that hold special memories together
• Encourage storytelling and sharing of family history
• Maintain regular social contact and activities
• Focus on connection rather than perfection in conversations
• Create new positive experiences while honouring the past.

Through the stunning, vast landscapes of the Outback, Chris and Craig's journey becomes a funny and moving exploration of a father and son's deep bond, proving that love, community, and shared experience can be potent medicine.

The documentary also examines research into ageing and dementia, specifically how those who maintain regular social interactions cut their risk in half.

A story of hope amid uncertainty

Today, more than 57 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with Alzheimer's disease the most common cause. Every year, there are around 10 million new cases of dementia globally.

For families facing this reality, the Hemsworth story offers something invaluable: hope and a practical approach to making the most of the time they have together.

The documentary doesn't promise miracle cures or false hope. Instead, it shows how love, connection, and shared experience can provide comfort and possibly even therapeutic benefits during one of life's most challenging journeys.

Where and when to watch

Directed by Tom Barbor-Might, Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember premieres on 23 November on National Geographic and streams from 24 November on Disney+ and Hulu.

The documentary represents more than just a celebrity's personal story—it's a testament to the enduring power of family bonds and the importance of making every moment count.

For any family touched by dementia, Chris and Craig's journey offers both inspiration and practical insights into how connection and love can light the way forward, even in the face of an uncertain future.

Key Takeaways

• Chris Hemsworth and his father, Craig, star in the new National Geographic documentary A Road Trip to Remember, following their emotional motorcycle journey after Craig’s early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
• Guided by dementia specialist Dr Suraj Samtani, the film explores how social connection, memory, and meaningful experiences can help slow cognitive decline and strengthen family bonds.
• The documentary also reflects Chris’s personal journey, as he carries two copies of the APOE4 gene—linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer’s—discovered during his earlier series Limitless.
• Directed by Tom Barbor-Might, the special premieres on 23 November on National Geographic and streams from 24 November on Disney+ and Hulu, offering families both hope and practical lessons in connection and care.

What memories from your own family history do you think would be worth revisiting? Share your thoughts about the importance of family connection during difficult times in the comments below.