New Unstoppable Image Highlights Don Cheadle's Intense Performance As An Inspiring Wrestling Coach

This article is part of ScreenRant's Exclusive 2025 Movie Preview. Keep an eye out for the full feature next week!

A new image from Unstoppable showcases Don Cheadle's intense performance as real-life wrestling coach Shawn Charles. The biographical sports drama tells the story of Anthony Robles (Jharrel Jerome), who was born with one leg and became a champion wrestler with the encouragement of his coach, Charles, and his mother Judy (Jennifer Lopez). The movie also stars Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Chimechi Oparanozie, Parker Sack, Jordan Wallace, and Shawn Hatosy. Unstoppable reviews out of its TIFF premiere in September and its limited theatrical release in December have already earned the movie a Certified Fresh score of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.

ScreenRant can now share an exclusive image from Unstoppable ahead of its Prime Video debut on January 16, 2025. The image shows a moment of closeness between Charles and Robles where the former provides encouragement during a wrestling match. While there is concern in Don Cheadle's eyes, he also exudes a desire for his protégé to succeed. See the full-size image below:

Don Cheadle's Performance Helps Fuel Unstoppable

The Actor Is An Oscar Nominee

While the emotional core of the Unstoppable movie, which is based on Robles' 2012 book of the same name, is provided by the bond between the lead character and his mother. However, as this image highlights, Robles' place in the Arizona State Wrestling team likely wouldn't be the same without the support of Cheadle's character. The intensity that the Oscar-nominated actor provides helps to fuel the high highs and the low lows of the story of Robles' road to becoming a champion.

Don Cheadle earned his Oscar nomination in 2005 for his leading role in Hotel Rwanda.

So far, Cheadle's performance in the movie has not been recognized by any major awards bodies in the 2024-2025 season. He was not nominated at the 2025 Golden Globes or the Critics Choice Awards, though he has a chance at an Academy Award nomination in January despite being a major long shot. While the movie has so far made less of a splash than other movies with prominent male supporting performances such as A Real Pain and Gladiator II, his commitment to his role will likely help fuel the movie's success once it arrives on Prime Video.

Unstoppable Could Enter The Sports Drama Pantheon

The Inspiring Story Has Already Struck A Chord

While Unstoppable has not yet had a chance to reach wide audiences, its early glowing reviews showcase the fact that it could quickly enter the pantheon of classic inspiring sports dramas. From Rudy to The Boys in the Boat, the genre has had many entries, but the intensity of the cast as showcased in this image where both Cheadle and Jerome are fully committing to the moment, will likely help propel it to the top.