The couple who made it to the top of the Empire State Building star in a Netflix documentary
The pair of climbers who made it to the top of the Empire State Building this week have captured global fascination. They were seen perched atop the legendary skyscraper before unfurling an enormous banner and proposing.
The man and woman have been named as Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus following their ascent of the broadcast mast while both wearing face coverings, before their subsequent arrest.
While positioned on the aerial, which towers 443 metres (1,454 feet) above New York’s streets, their banner declared: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
This isn’t the first occasion the pair have drawn public interest, as their climbing exploits became the focus of a Netflix documentary. Skywalkers: A Love Story is currently available on the streaming service and has garnered positive feedback from audiences.
Russian climbers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus scaled the Empire State Building this week(Image: angela_nikolau/Instagram)
The synopsis states: “A daredevil couple risks it all by going where no one has gone before: the top of the world’s second-highest skyscraper. Angela and Vanya are Russia’s preeminent rooftoppers who defy the odds (and death) to scale the globe’s tallest buildings.
As their acrobatic stunts go viral and rack up millions of online views, they put their love and trust to the test as they create a highly dangerous new artform that they call ‘skywalking’.”
The documentary premiered in 2024 and takes audiences backstage to expose the meticulous planning behind the duo’s daring exploits. From surveying structures to devising methods to avoid security, it explores how their climbs affect their personal relationship.
The programme has secured a 94% Popcornmeter score on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences confessing they experienced genuine terror and adrenaline rushes themselves.
One viewer remarked: “I’ve never watched a documentary that was catching me so much. I was thrilled watching it. Really, my knees got weak.
“I just kept thinking ‘don’t slip, don’t fall down…!’ Watching that was a true adrenaline rush and also the love story behind it was just super cute.”
Another contributor stated: “This film is a riveting, heartstopping and beautiful journey of the two stars.”
A different person observed: “This documentary felt like watching the movie Mission Impossible, only better and 100% authentic. A beautiful story filled with emotions, thrills, and excitement. Simply sensational!”
A fourth viewer penned: “I didn’t expect much of this show, but I was seriously shocked by how great this movie was! I absolutely loved it and was engaged the whole time. I felt like I’m there with Angela and Vania. Something that really worth watching!”
An enthusiastic spectator noted: “This movie is amazing! My friend and I loved it. It went full circle and did a deep dive on the sky-walkers’ fears and desires.
“We cried together as we realised how Angela overcame her childhood traumas and how Ivan cared so much for her. Bravo! Really well done.”