2023 was loaded with great underdog sports dramas, especially those set in the world of one-on-one competition. Among the best arrived towards the end of the year and hits Prime Video later this month and that’s Unstoppable, starring Jharrel Jerome as NCAA champion wrestler Anthony Robles who was born with one leg but didn’t let that stop his rise to the top.
The film (reviewed here) is a real spotlight role for Jerome, who underwent months of wrestling training with Robles to learn his unique style. It also features a great supporting role for Jennifer Lopez, among her best, as Anthony’s mother who deals with an abusive husband, economic hardship, and a system that seems built to keep her down. Through it all she is always the loudest voice in Anthony’s corner.
Also in the cast are Bobby Cannavale, Don Cheadle, and Michael Pena. The film is produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon through their Artists Equity label. Making his directorial debut is William Goldenberg, an acclaimed editor who worked with Affleck previously on Argo, Live by Night, and Air.
SYNOPSIS: Anthony Robles, despite being born without a right leg and growing up in an abusive household, rises to become a NCAA Division 1 Champion wrestler, ultimately winning a national championship against the school that rejected him, national powerhouse Iowa. (Based on the book Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion, by Anthony Robles and Austin Murphy.)
Unstoppable hits Prime Video on January 16th.
