Unstoppable (2024)

Based on the book written by Robles himself and adapted by Alex Harris, John Hindman and Eric Champnella, it shows us a struggling Robles on the mat, but also in his personal life, living with his four siblings and his mother in a situation of domestic violence, as well as difficulties encountered.

From the outset, the film sets a scene of resilience and struggle, presenting us with a young protagonist determined to rise above his circumstances.

His sporting life, a metaphor for all the implications of his existence, is marked by a constant battle: not only in the athletic sphere, but also in the family, where affective scarcity and emotional crises leave a deep mark.

Although intended as a biographical depiction, the film resorts to the classic archetypes of the ‘poor fighter’, economic precariousness and intra-familial conflicts, over-exploiting them to sustain the narrative volume.

This results in an experience that oscillates between entertaining moments, predictable moments and insipid passages.

The highlight is the message of self-improvement, although it is marred by the cliché that ‘anything can be overcome with a good attitude’.

Some dramatic twists and turns are resolved almost magically, conveniently accommodating themselves so that the narrative reaches its climax.

On the other hand, there is a lack of greater introspection in the protagonist, whose emotional development often tries to be resolved through dialogue with the supporting characters, remaining on the surface.

‘Unstoppable is a film to watch once and take away a positive message, but without expecting to find something that transcends the conventional formula of motivational stories.