10 Modern Action Movies Where The Heroes Aren’t Basically Invincible

Action moviesby definition, they usually feature some massive action stars who are basically invincible from start to finish. They command the screen like the unstoppable force that dominates and seizes antagonistsrarely showing signs of fatigue, injury, or even slowing down. However, filmmakers sometimes turn typical tropes on their heads and aim to humanize their heroes into something more authentic and relatable.

Creators and audiences are now turning to a more refreshing take on the action genre, seeing protagonists who are vulnerable, who can bleed, and who are not infallible by the armor of Hollywood. In films like Atomic Blonde and Nobodythe stars appear genuinely injured and include more realistic fight scenes that show exhaustion and believable results. The increased vulnerability and normalization of the protagonists create some of the best action films of all timewith the stories and bets seeming much more real and fun.

10

John Wick (2014)

Starring Keanu Reeves

John Wick might not be the first action movie that comes to mind when thinking about main characters who aren’t invincible, since Wick, admittedly, basically becomes invincible in the franchise’s sequels. So much so that many people noticed that several scenes in John Wick It doesn’t make sense since he survives such devastating attacks and injuries, however, it’s exactly those injuries that make him seem more human after all.

In the first film, John Wick is definitely a more realistic hero compared to the sequels, as he is more visibly broken, beaten, and tired throughout his fight scenes. Keanu Reeve’s extensive training and preparation for the role adds yet another layer of authenticity and it’s the fact that he takes so much damage that makes his character seem more believable. Instead of simply advancing through the plot, effortlessly defeating a series of enemies without consequence, Wick is brutalized and tortured many times, but his never-ending attack puts him lower than other heroes.

9

Blue Ruin (2013)

Starring Macon Blair

In a lesser-known action thriller, Jeremy Saulnier Blue Ruin follows the story of Dwight (Macon Blair), a down-on-his-luck drifter who goes on a mission of revenge against a man who has just been released from prison for murdering his parents 20 years earlier. Dwight is an ordinary man with no combat skills or training.so his own being is less heroic and more a person who needs to find the inner strength and will to avenge his personal vendetta.

Instead of being an invincible machine, Dwight, masterfully portrayed by Blair, is clumsy and nervous in many of his encounters. The clumsy and genuine concern he shows in any hostile situation, even those where he is inflicting harm, is extremely human and, at times, distressing to watch. The film captures the essence of his vulnerability as he tries to get revenge for a situation that, no matter what happens, can never be resolved, and Ultimately, Dwight pays the price when he is shot and dies after achieving his goals.

Starring Chris Hemsworth

After the huge success of the first installment, Netflix gave it the green light Extraction 2which sees Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as Tyler Rake, a ruthless mercenary tasked with nearly impossible missions, this time recovering the family of an abusive crime boss from prison. In ExtractionHemsworth is shown to be deadly, being shot and left for dead, with the audience genuinely believing he could be killed in a twist. The sequel continues this narrative, as Rake, while obviously an incredibly talented soldier, faces several dangerous situations that feel like life or death scenarios.

Hemsworth gives another performance as the mercenary who must go through hell to save those he swore to rescue. In the film’s most iconic prison escape scene, Rake is genuinely brutalized, knocked to the ground and trampled by a mob of prisoners. Moments like this show that he is not a force of nature and, when outnumbered, can be susceptible to serious injury. Hemsworth deftly transports his pain from scene to scene in a build-up of damage and tension that creates the illusion of authentic action sequences throughout the film.

7

Nobody (2021)

Starring Bob Odenkirk

In the action thriller Nobody, Bob Odenkirk stars as hapless family man Hutch Mansell, who must return to his old life as a deadly assassin. when a crime lord targets him and his family. Similar to John WickThose who have seen the film may question the choice, as Mansell cries relentlessly in the second half of the film. However, throughout the first half, he suffers several injuries and beatings that form a realistic basis for his character that shows him as anything but invincible.

Odenkirk gives one of his best performances as the worn-out family man who has to do anything to protect his family. The film gained a lot of popularity and was widely celebrated for using an actor like Odenkirk, who was 59 when the film was releasedfar from a chiseled young giant who looks and feels unstoppable. Odenkirk’s more relatable and realistic demeanor and figure make the fight scenes more impactful, like the impeccably choreographed bus riot that causes Bob to get hurt almost as much as the gang he faces.

6

Kate (2021)

Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead

In a unique narrative twist on the usual action hero trope, Kate sees Mary Elizabeth Winstead portray the titular assassin who is poisoned by radiation at the beginning of the filmgiving it just 24 hours to live. The premise automatically humanizes the main star as his physical decline and health problems become more apparent with each passing scene. The narrative is full of suspense and drama as Kate attempts to fulfill her final mission before succumbing to poisoning.

Winstead delivers an extraordinary performance as a powerful, commanding assassin who is placed in a vulnerable and heartbreaking position. Kate becomes dizzy, passes out, is involved in a car accident, and ultimately dies on a rooftop after completing her mission to kill a high-ranking Yakuza boss. There is no twist in the Deus ex machina story that eventually comes to the rescue; is a beautiful narrative about the determination and resilience of a protagonist who fulfills his agreement, even though he knows that in the end there will be nothing left.

5

The Night Comes for Us (2018)

Starring Joe Taslim

Timo Tjahjanto is the talented writer and director behind one of the most underrated Indonesian films in recent memory, the horrific and action-packed The night comes for us. Joe Taslim plays Ito, a former top enforcer for the Triads who is on the run after rescuing a young girl from the syndicate and must now protect her from her old gang, who have been tasked with finding the two. Ito, although he shows signs of an incredible set of combat skills, is never far from receiving a brutal beating.

The night comes for us was originally scripted and produced as a graphic novel before being adapted into a film, which may lead viewers to assume the main character is some kind of superhero. Taslim beautifully portrays a realistic version of his character, far from a comic book page, who faces real threats and adversity. The film is literally drenched in Ito’s blood, and he goes through many ruthless and punishing fight sequences that leave no doubt that the man could be physically harmed or even killed.

4

Update (2018)

Starring Logan Marshall-Green

An action star paralyzed by an accident is potentially the quickest way to start a movie that proves the character is anything but invincible. Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade is a cyberpunk action film that follows Gray Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), a car mechanic who becomes quadriplegic in a wheelchair after a car accident but recovers motor functions after receiving a ‘STEM’ implant from a renowned technological innovator. Although he gains mobility and abilities through his AI implant, he still shows moments of vulnerability, often losing control to the system designed to help him.

Marshall-Green does an excellent job of portraying his character’s internal conflict as he is exhilarated about regaining his former moves, but also apprehensive about the new technology that has turned him into a lethal fighting machine. There are many poignant and sad moments throughout the film, with Gray attempting to take his own life. after accepting your initial diagnosis. Although the implant transforms him into a kind of invincible cyborg, the human qualities and emotions displayed masterfully convey the vulnerable and sensitive side of the main character.

3

Monkey Man (2024)

Starring Dev Patel

In his directorial debut, Dev Patel also delivers one of the most iconic performances of his career in Monkey Mana film that sees him playing Kid, a child who grows up to become the titular star, working as a heel and jobber in an underground fight club. Kid grew up in a village that saw his mother and other residents massacred by a corrupt police chief in an attempt to take over their land. His haunted past and quest for revenge definitely informed his role, as we see the pain and anguish of his past as the boy powerless to prevent his mother’s death.

Seeing the main star, capable of defeating multiple attackers at once, as a child facing incomprehensible horror makes the adult version shown seem a much more human and relatable figure. Patel offers a perfectly balanced portrayal of a brutal underground fighter who is haunted by his past and physically his body is beaten and destroyed by many intricate and bloody fight sequences. In the end, he gets his revenge, but his body is damaged almost beyond repair when he collapses just before the credits roll.

2

Bullet Train (2022)

Starring Brad Pitt

bullet train is an action film that gives an unusual and perfectly executed vulnerable touch to the lead star, making him the opposite of what you would normally expect in a leading role. The action archetype is balance, confidence and unparalleled athleticism, capable of clearing and dominating any environmentSo Brad Pitt’s portrayal of a killer, “Ladybug,” who has crippling anxiety attacks, doubts himself, and considers himself a bad omen, is an excellent counter to the usual tropes. Pitt nails the brief for a complex, anxious character while maintaining his soft nature and deadly skills.

Ladybug believes she has bad luck after several missions see several people die around her in accidental deaths, a hilarious concept for an assassin who is paid to murder. His misadventures, combined with Pitt’s accurate portrait, create a deeply human basis for his role while also showcasing his underrated comedic timing. He’s exposed to snake venom, poisoned, attacked, and beaten while dealing with his own mental issues, which really creates a character who seems anything but an unstoppable hero.

1

Atomic Blonde (2017)

Starring Charlize Theron

In a film that shows the true vulnerability and honest depreciation of its protagonist, Atomic Blonde sees the wonderful Charlize Theron playing M16 spy Lorraine Broughton, who is tasked with finding a roster of deadly double agents. Unlike an ‘invincible’ spy like James Bond, Theron offers a realistic and relatable portrayal of a female agent who has to face multiple bullies or larger male figures. The film and direction don’t shy away from physical mismatch, and rather than allowing Theron to simply overwhelm her big enemies in an illogical way, she wins through skill, training, and intelligence.

Perhaps in his most intense action role Theron is visibly shaken, beaten and bloodied after each encountershowing the brutal reality of fighting, something that is rarely shown in such an honest way. The infamous scene on the apartment stairs shows her nearly beaten to death, and she is forced to use every tactic in her arsenal to survive, showing incredible resilience and courage. Although often physically overcome, the narrative is driven by the spy’s heroism despite incredible odds, and the fact that she is so deeply humanized makes the triumphs and achievements that much more impactful.