Unstoppable is a 2024 American biographical sports drama film about Anthony Robles, a wrestler who was born without a leg and overcomes obstacles to become an NCAA Division I wrestling champion. This remarkable true story is more than just an inspiring sport film; it is a testament to human character, strength, determination, love, and family.
The film, directed by William Goldenberg, tells two emotionally powerful true stories in parallel: the sports one and the family one, creating a uniquely uplifting and universal human narrative. It is inspiring in its refusal to quit and its capacity for love.
The film was given a limited theatrical release by Amazon MGM Studios on December 6, 2024, and will be streamed on Prime Video on January 16, 2025.
The Story of Anthony Robles
Anthony Robles, born without a right leg, grows up in Mesa, Arizona, raised by his mother, Judy Robles. Despite societal prejudice and physical challenges, Anthony develops a resilient spirit. In high school, he discovers a passion for wrestling and joins the school team.
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After high school, Anthony plans to wrestle at the collegiate level. He receives a scholarship offer from Drexel University but chooses to attend Arizona State University (ASU) to stay closer to his family. Balancing the physical demands of Division I wrestling and personal struggles at home, Anthony faces numerous obstacles. His stepfather exhibits abusive behavior, adding tension to his family life.
At ASU, Anthony trains rigorously, refining his skills and improving his performance. Over time, he becomes a key member of the wrestling team, earning recognition for his accomplishments. In his senior year, Anthony reaches the 2011 NCAA Wrestling Championships and faces a highly skilled, top-seeded opponent from the University of Iowa.
In a hard-fought match, Anthony demonstrates remarkable technique, focus, and resilience. The film concludes by highlighting Anthony's achievements beyond college. He becomes a motivational speaker and a wrestling coach, using his story to inspire others to overcome their challenges.
Unstoppable (2024) | 'First Look' Featurette of Anthony Robles' Inspiring Journey
Production Details
In November 2019, 101 Studios acquired the rights to the film, with Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia set to produce under their Seven Bucks Productions banner. The project was once again announced in March 2023, with William Goldenberg as director in his directorial debut. Goldenberg has collaborated with filmmaker Ben Affleck as a film editor for Gone Baby Gone, Argo, Live by Night, and Air. Affleck and Matt Damon served as producers through the Artists Equity banner.
The cinematography was handled by Salvatore Totino, and the film was edited by Brett M.
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Cast and Characters
- Jharrel Jerome plays Anthony Robles, a role for which he worked hard to build up his upper body muscle mass, master Anthony’s Arizona accent, his smooth movements on the crutches Anthony used all his life and, importantly, his wrestling moves.
- Jennifer Lopez is excellent as his mother Judy, a complex character who is more than just a support for her son, but someone with her own issues.
- Bobby Cannavale plays Judy’s husband Rick, Antony’s stepdad and the father of his younger siblings.
- Michael Pena is a steady rock as the high school coach, who stays involved even after his young friend goes on to college.
- Don Cheadle is excellent as Arizona State wrestling coach Shawn Charles.
The cast is superb in both these story lines, as is the storytelling from Oscar-winning film editor-turned-director William Goldenberg.
Critical Reception
Unstoppable drew critical praise this fall after premiering in a coveted opening-night slot at the Toronto International Film Festival.
With the magnetic Jharrel Jerome as its champion, Unstoppable is an inspirational sports story that honestly earns audiences' cheers. Jerome and Lopez build an undeniable chemistry that powers the movie, and it wouldn’t work at all unless Jerome wasn’t excellent as well. It's kind of a paint-by-numbers sports movie, but I do appreciate that it is not overplaying the uplift.
However, some critics felt that while the story of Anthony Robles is nothing short of incredible and inspiring, the cinematic telling of his story was purely underwhelming. Some felt that neither Jharrel Jerome nor Jennifer Lopez has memorable performances and that the movie itself seemed to give too much focus on the wrong things.
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Accuracy to Real Life
According to the real Robles, this movie was, for the most part, pretty much accurate to his real life. The movie was so true to Robles’s story, in fact, that he was even called on to do some on-screen wrestling for parts of the mat scenes in the movie.
The excellent wrestling scenes deserve special mention, as the FX are impressive, even if you are not a wrestling fan. The real Anthony Robles appears in the wrestling scenes, where the film uses camera work, special effects and editing to merge him with the young actor Jharrel Jerome. The effect is seamless and fascinating.
Awards and Recognition
Unstoppable has received several awards and nominations, including:
- Middleburg Film Festival - Honorees
- SCAD Savannah Film Festival - Honorees
- IndieWire Honors
- Critics Choice Association - Celebration of Black Cinema and Television
- Palm Springs International Film Festival - Legend & Groundbreaker Award (Jennifer Lopez)
Release Dates
- Toronto International Film Festival Premiere: September 6, 2024
- Limited Theatrical Release: December 6, 2024
- Prime Video Streaming Release: January 16, 2025
Behind the Scenes: Robles's Involvement
Anthony Robles played a crucial role in ensuring the film's authenticity and emotional depth:
- Maintaining Narrative Integrity: Robles worked to prevent the narrative from becoming overly "Hollywoodized," aiming to preserve the true essence of his and his family's experiences.
- Stunt Double: Robles himself appeared in the movie as a stunt double, executing wrestling maneuvers that required his unique athleticism.
- Consultation and Training: He collaborated closely with Jharrel Jerome, providing insights into his daily life, motivations, and fears, helping the actor embody the character authentically.
Film Details
Here's a quick overview of the film's key details:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | William Goldenberg |
| Starring | Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle |
| Cinematography | Salvatore Totino |
| Edited by | Brett M. |
| Release Dates | December 6, 2024 (Theatrical), January 16, 2025 (Prime Video) |
| Adapted From | "Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated" by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy |