Unstoppable's wrestling sequences are skillfully edited and filmed, with some closely following the actual NCAA matches they were based on, while others are adapted for dramatic effect. To ensure authenticity, Anthony Robles himself served as Jerome's stunt double for the wrestling scenes (which also feature real-life college and high school wrestlers). Wrestling is often underrepresented in sports films, as are stories about athletes with physical disabilities. Robles is a remarkable athlete, and his story is one that definitely deserved to be told.
Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Intense, inspiring sports biopic has positive messages.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Unstoppable (2024)
What's the Story?
UNSTOPPABLE is based on the true story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), a high school and college wrestling champion born with one leg. Along with physical challenges, Anthony faces an unstable home life with his supportive but overwhelmed mother, Judy (Jennifer Lopez), four younger siblings, and an abusive father, Rick (Bobby Cannavale). Despite winning a national high school championship, Anthony doesn't get any Division I scholarship offers—even as wrestlers he defeated are recruited by top teams at Iowa and Penn State—and must fight for a walk-on spot with Coach Shawn Charles (Don Cheadle) at Arizona State University. There, Anthony eventually earns a hard-won place on the varsity team and rises to become an NCAA champion and All-American.
Is It Any Good?
This feel-good sports biopic marks editor-turned-director William Goldenberg's feature directorial debut. In Unstoppable, he skillfully crafts a classic "athlete overcomes the odds" story, aided by standout performances from Emmy-winning actor Jerome (When They See Us), as well as Lopez, Cheadle, and Michael Peña. The sports narrative is compelling, highlighting how Anthony's resilience and determination not only proved his worth to coaches and teammates but also challenged their perceptions about what an athlete with a disability can achieve at an elite level. And the subplot about the toxic stepfather adds depth to Anthony's character, although the screenplay does leave some questions about the family's situation unanswered, choosing instead to focus on Anthony's close relationship with his supportive mother.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Unstoppable's messages about people with disabilities. Why is disability representation important?
Why are movies about athletes who overcome adversity so popular? What makes them compelling?
How does the movie depict domestic abuse? Does it capture the severity of being in a home with an abuser?
Did you feel empathy or compassion for Anthony and his family? How does the filmmaker achieve this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 6, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : January 16, 2025
- Cast : Jharrel A. Jerome , Don Cheadle , Jennifer Lopez , Bobby Cannavale
- Director : William Goldenberg
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Amazon MGM Studios
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Perseverance , Self-control
- Run time : 116 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some strong language and thematic material
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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Unstoppable (2024)
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