Chris Hemsworth has candidly shared the story of his father Craig Hemsworth’s experience with early-stage Alzheimer’s, embarking on a heartfelt journey across Australia as documented in the new National Geographic special. This deeply personal account, centered on Chris Hemsworth father’s Alzheimer’s journey, offers viewers a rare glimpse into both the struggles and the meaningful moments the Hemsworth family has encountered.
Revealing Craig Hemsworth’s Diagnosis and Its Impact
Premiering on Disney+ and Hulu on November 24, 2025,
“Chris Hemsworth: A Road Trip to Remember”
introduces audiences to Chris and his father as they travel through significant parts of Australia. Early in the special, Chris reveals that his father has been showing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease for the past two years, marking the beginning of a challenging chapter for their close-knit family.
“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 Hemsworth, Actor
“He has early-stage Alzheimer’s and there’s definitely good days and bad days.”
Chris Hemsworth, Actor
While an exact date for Craig’s diagnosis isn’t specified, Chris has openly acknowledged that he himself has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s due to carrying two copies of the APOE4 gene. The documentary explores how this family history influences Chris’s outlook and his approach to his father’s care.
A Trek Across Australia to Rekindle Family Bonds
The heart of the documentary lies in the father-son road trip, an adventure designed not only to spend quality time together but also to utilize reminiscence therapy for Craig’s well-being. The journey takes them to places with deep personal significance, such as their former homes in Melbourne and the Northern Territory, offering opportunities for both nostalgia and connection.
“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 Hemsworth, Actor
“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
The journey includes consultations with clinicians, specialists, and neurologists. At a soccer match, Chris meets clinical psychologist Dr. Suraj Samtani, who discusses studies suggesting that engaging in meaningful social activities, such as traveling to familiar locations, can stimulate memory and have therapeutic effects for dementia patients.
“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 Hemsworth, Actor
Chris and Craig’s explorations lead them through their former home in Melbourne, where the new owners allow the Hemsworths to meticulously restore the house to its original layout. Old photos, furniture, and personal belongings are brought back, and Chris’s teen bedroom is fully recreated, providing a powerful sensory experience for Craig and the rest of the family.
The Emotional Experiences of Revisiting the Past
The documentary’s Melbourne segment is particularly poignant as Chris arranges for his mother, Leonie Hemsworth, to join the father-son duo. For Leonie, returning to their former home floods her with memories and emotions, especially as she witnesses Craig’s reaction to familiar objects and places. During this time, Craig repeatedly asks about Leonie’s whereabouts, making Chris reflect on the progression of his father’s memory loss.
“Revisiting the house was certainly strange,”
Craig Hemsworth, Father
“The detail was extraordinary … It’s very satisfying recognizing stuff I hadn’t thought about for a long while.”
Craig Hemsworth, Father
Leonie’s perspective on her husband’s illness provides another heartbreaking layer to the story. As a partner facing the daily realities of Alzheimer’s, she shares her fears and hopes amid uncertain times.
“As a partner, it’s difficult because I want him to be the person that he was. I want the relationship,”
Leonie Hemsworth, Partner
“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
Capturing Family Moments Through Home Movies
Returning to their old home allows Chris to rediscover a treasured piece of family history—a VHS tape of his first home movie with his brothers called “Croc Hunter.” In this childhood film, Chris plays an enthusiastic character reminiscent of Steve Irwin, a memory that brings laughter and joy to both Craig and Leonie as they watch together.
“Crikey! How you going, folks? We got a real bloody ripper in store for you today,”
Chris Hemsworth, Actor
The sharing of this cherished tape not only highlights the bonds between Chris and his family but also connects them to broader pop culture; Robert Irwin, Steve Irwin’s son, has commented on the footage, noting how delighted his late father would have been to see it.
Exploring Craig’s Cattle Herding Past in the Northern Territory
Extending their journey beyond Melbourne, Chris and Craig travel north to revisit their early days in a remote area where Craig worked as a cattle herder and bull wrangler. The trip takes them to Bulman, a small Aboriginal community, where Craig is reunited with his long-time friend Spencer Martin. The reunion is a highlight, underscoring the deep connections and memories that remain vivid even as other details fade.
“It’s amazing watching them together and seeing the connection they have and the friendship they shared,”
Chris Hemsworth, Actor
“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
Although the journey is filled with uplifting moments, Chris candidly shares that his father sometimes became disoriented, occasionally unsure of his surroundings or the people with him. These experiences are described as painful reminders of how Alzheimer’s can affect loved ones.
Chris Hemsworth Navigates Uncertainty and Acceptance
Throughout the documentary, Chris grapples with the emotional complexity of supporting a parent through Alzheimer’s disease. He recognizes the tension between his father’s personality and the ways the illness affects his behavior, often questioning what is a result of the disease and what is simply habit.
“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 Hemsworth, Actor
“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
A Candid Campfire Conversation About Alzheimer’s Fears
On the final evening of their expedition, Chris and Craig camp under the Australian sky and engage in a sincere conversation by the fire. During this vulnerable moment, Craig expresses his fears of becoming a burden to his family and experiencing further disconnection from those he loves. Chris reassures his father of his family’s unwavering support, and the two exchange affirmations of their love and commitment.
Reflections on the Road Trip’s Therapeutic Value
Looking back on the trip, Chris acknowledges the unpredictable nature of Alzheimer’s, noting days of improvement and setbacks for his father. Still, he emphasizes the apparent short-term benefits of the journey, particularly in encouraging Craig’s engagement and communication. The documentary closes with Chris expressing gratitude for every moment they have together, while recognizing the realities of Alzheimer’s and his desire to make the most of the time they share.
“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 Hemsworth, Actor
“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
The Significance of Hemsworth’s Story and What Lies Ahead
Chris Hemsworth’s honest portrayal of his father’s Alzheimer’s journey provides visibility for dementia patients and their families, offering understanding and hope to others facing similar challenges. By involving family members, medical experts, and revisiting meaningful locations, he highlights the importance of compassion, patience, and shared memory in navigating this difficult condition.
Through “A Road Trip to Remember,” Chris and his loved ones show that even in the face of uncertainty, cherished moments and strong relationships can bring comfort and resilience. The Hemsworth family’s ongoing story will likely spark vital conversations about Alzheimer’s care, genetics, and the significance of appreciating the present with those closest to us.
