# Unstoppable (2024 film)

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 a NCAA Division I wrestling champion. The film is directed by William Goldenberg and written by Eric Champnella, Alex Harris and John Hindman, based on the 2012 book by Robles and Austin Murphy. The film stars Jharrel Jerome as Robles, and the supporting cast includes Jennifer Lopez, Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, and Don Cheadle.
Unstoppable had its premiere in the Special Presentations section at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024, followed by a limited theatrical release on December 6, 2024 by Amazon MGM Studios, and debuted on Prime Video on January 16, 2025.

## Plot

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. Although initially doubted by coaches and teammates, he becomes a formidable competitor through determination and relentless training.
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. He joins the wrestling team as a walk-on, earning a spot despite initial skepticism from his coaches.
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. However, Anthony draws strength from his mother's unwavering support and belief in his abilities.
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. He qualifies for the NCAA Wrestling Championships, where he competes in the 125-pound weight class.
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. Against the odds, he defeats his opponent and secures the national championship title.
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. The final scenes emphasize his legacy as an athlete who defied expectations and achieved success through perseverance, family support, and relentless dedication.

## Cast

* Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles
* Jennifer Lopez as Judy Robles
* Michael Peña as Bobby Williams
* Don Cheadle as Shawn Charles
* Bobby Cannavale as Rich Robles
* Mykelti Williamson as Eddie
* Shawn Hatosy as Tom Brands
* Parker Sack as Dorian
* Chimechi Oparanozie as Brian Corwin
* Jordan Wallace as Walker
* Benjamin Barrett as Solis
* Corey Jantzen as Markarian
* Shane Sparks as himself

## Production

In April 2014, David Crockett and Andy Fraser acquired the rights to produce a film adaptation of Anthony Robles's 2012 autobiography Unstoppable: From Underdog To Undefeated: How I Became A Champion, with Eric Champnella writing the script. In September 2018, Jason Mitchell was cast as Robles.
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. It was also announced that Jennifer Lopez would star in the film, with Jharrel Jerome playing Robles, replacing Mitchell.
Principal photography began in Los Angeles in May 2023, but was halted two weeks later due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike. On December 12, 2023, principal photography resumed after the end of the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, with Don Cheadle, Michael Peña, and Bobby Cannavale joining the cast. On January 14, 2024, it was announced that principal photography had wrapped. In post-production, Jerome's right leg was digitally removed.

## Release

Unstoppable had its premiere as part of the Gala section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024. The film was given a limited theatrical release by Amazon MGM Studios on December 6, 2024. It will be streamed on Prime Video on January 16, 2025. The Los Angeles premiere of the film, originally scheduled for January 7, 2025 at the DGA Theater, was cancelled due to the Palisades Fire.

## Reception
### Box office

Unstoppable grossed $3,966 during its opening weekend in the UK, placing 55th at the box office among all films showing at the time.

### Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 94 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The website's consensus reads: "With the magnetic Jharrel Jerome as its champion, Unstoppable is an inspirational sports story that honestly earns audiences' cheers." On Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, the film holds a score of 64 out of 100, based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.
Michael Mann chose Unstoppable as his favorite film of 2024 for a Directors Picks article in Variety.

### Accolades

| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
| Toronto International Film Festival | September 8, 2024 | Tribute Performer Award | Jharrel Jerome | Won |
| Aspen Film Festival | September 17, 2024 | Audience Favorite Feature | Unstoppable | Won |
| Heartland Film Festival | October 19, 2024 | Truly Moving Picture Award | Unstoppable | Won |
| Middleburg Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Rising Star Award | Jharrel Jerome | Honored |
| Philadelphia Film Festival | October 28, 2024 | Student Choice Award | Unstoppable | Won |
| Savannah Film Festival | November 2, 2024 | Lumiere Award | Jharrel Jerome | Honored |
| Winter IndieWire Honors | December 5, 2024 | Maverick Award | Jennifer Lopez | Won |
| California on Location Awards | December 8, 2024 | Location Team of the Year | Unstoppable | Won |
| Celebration of Cinema and Television | December 9, 2024 | Breakthrough Actor Award | Jharrel Jerome | Won |
| Palm Springs Film Festival | January 4, 2025 | Legend & Groundbreaker Award | Jennifer Lopez | Won |
| Women Film Critics Circle | January 15, 2025 | Adrienne Shelly Award | Unstoppable | Nominated |
| Black Reel Awards | February 17, 2025 | Outstanding Performance | Jharrel Jerome | Nominated |