Unbreakable
Unbreakable! What a classic. M. Night Shyamalan really took the superhero genre and flipped it on its head with this one. It's such a slow-burn, introspective take on the idea of "What if superheroes were real, but grounded in reality?" Bruce Willis as David Dunn is so understated but powerful in his performance. He just exudes this quiet strength, and his journey of self-discovery is handled so well. That scene where he's lifting weights in the basement? Iconic. It’s such a simple moment, but it’s brimming with meaning, like he’s finally starting to believe he might be more than just an ordinary man. And then there’s Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, or “Mr. Glass.” Talk about a perfectly cast role. He brings this eerie, almost tragic depth to a character who’s obsessed with finding his opposite. The way Shyamalan builds up their dynamic, leading to that twist ending... I mean, come on, it’s such a Shyamalan twist, but it works so perfectly here. The relationship between David Dunn and his son is one of the most heartfelt aspects of Unbreakable. It’s a quiet exploration of faith and trust between a father and son, with Joseph’s unwavering belief in his dad adding emotional weight to David’s journey. Their bond reflects the film’s deeper themes of self-discovery and the quiet strength found in family, making the story not just about extraordinary abilities, but also about the human connections that ground us. It’s these tender moments that give the film its emotional core, balancing the suspense with genuine heart. What I love most about Unbreakable is how it plays with the idea of comic book tropes without ever feeling like a comic book movie. The cinematography, those long, deliberate takes, makes everything feel heavy and significant. And James Newton Howard’s score? Chills every time.