LOS ANGELES: Jennifer Lopez had an emotional moment as Judy Robles, the real-life mother she portrays in the sports drama Unstoppable, praised her heartfelt performance.
The bond between the two mothers grew deeply personal during the production, with both connecting over the shared experience of motherhood and its inevitable imperfections. “I don’t know of a human being who doesn’t make mistakes,” Lopez reflected. “But for moms, it’s about putting up the front of, ‘everything’s perfect,’ to protect your children and give them safety.”
Lopez’s understanding of the behind-the-scenes struggles of mothers helped elevate her portrayal of Judy Robles, a woman who fiercely advocated for her son while navigating her own challenges.
Unstoppable, distributed by Amazon MGM Studios, premiered in limited U.S. theaters on December 6 and will be available for streaming on Prime Video starting January 16. Directed by William Goldenberg, the film tells the inspiring story of Anthony Robles, a wrestler born with one leg, who defied all odds to join the Arizona State University wrestling team and achieve greatness.
The production brought an extra layer of authenticity by having the real Anthony Robles serve as a body double for Jharrel Jerome (Moonlight), who portrays him. Jerome described the experience as transformative, saying, “Working closely with Anthony changed me—not just as an actor, but as a man. It reshaped my physicality, posture, and even my gym routine.”
For Anthony Robles, reliving his journey through the film was both painful and joyous, especially when sharing those moments with his mother. “There are scenes where my mom is gripping my arm, reliving those hard times with me,” he said. “But there are also scenes where we’re just smiling together, remembering the happy moments. That’s something truly special for us.”
Lopez’s powerful performance, combined with the deeply personal involvement of Anthony and Judy Robles, makes Unstoppable a raw and moving tribute to resilience, motherhood, and the pursuit of greatness against all odds.
