Unstoppable (2025) is directed by Willian Goldenberg and stars Jharrel Jerome, Anthony Robles, Jennifer Lopez, Michael Pena, Don Cheadle, Bobby Cannavale, Mykelti Williamson, Shawn Hatosy, Noen Perez, Julianna Gamiz, Elijah James, Johnni DiJulius, Parker Sack, Chimechi Oparanozie, Jordan Nathaniel Wallace, Benjamin Barrett, and Corey Jantzen. The film tells the true story of Anthony Robles (Jerome & Robles), a decorated wrestler born with one leg who overcomes the odds to win a 2011 national championship while competing for Arizona State University. Parallel to his struggles in the gym, Anthony is forced to live alongside an abusive father (Cannavle) who sees his athletic achievements as nothing more than a financial opportunity. With the support of his high school coach (Pena), current coach (Cheadle), caring mother (Lopez), and various younger siblings, Anthony steadily rises to the top of the collegiate wrestling world despite his hardships. 

Jharrel Jerome gives an uncommonly likable performance, but it helps that the real Anthony Robles is a guy worth rooting for. The character isn’t much different than the typical underdog-movie protagonist, but he’s easily one of the more effective/inspiring. I think this is partly because Anthony never quite acknowledges his disability. The script never wastes time asking the viewer to feel sorry for Anthony. Instead, it uses him to inspire the viewer. Instead of focusing on what Robles can’t do, it focuses on how he excels even compared to people without his disability. It also helps the character’s somewhat unoriginal relationship with his crappy dad is well-executed. This is because Bobby Cannavale provides an uncommonly fiery performance that steals the show every time he’s on screen. 

Cheadle, Lopez, and Pena round out a strong supporting cast and end up being one of the main reasons the film avoids feeling forgettable. The script beautifully displays the circular nature of inspiration by showing how these people inspire Anthony, and how Anthony, in turn, inspires them. Although the film is filled with its fair share of sports-movie tropes, it’s a formula that’s undeniably timeless when executed correctly.    

The wrestling sequences feel wonderfully authentic because the real Anthony Robles acts as a body double. With this many tropes, the film is forced to rely heavily on its sports sequences. Thankfully, the filmmakers hit the nail on the head by providing multiple matches that feel fully authentic. 

Overall, this a well-made, but unoriginal movie that’s sure to satisfy fans of feel-good sports stories, but few others. The acting is strong and the formula is tried and true, but there just isn’t much to say about it. If this was an original story, it would feel a lot more disappointing. However, the tropes are a lot more forgiving when one considers that the story is beholden to real-life events. In other words, the tropes actually help to support the film’s overall commitment to realism. In terms of originality, I find the film to be a big disappointment. That being said, I’d be lying if I said the formula doesn’t work exactly how it’s supposed to. Either way, fans of the genre are sure to have a great time. B-