Action movies, by definition, usually feature some larger-than-life action stars that are basically invincible from start to climactic finish. They command the screen as the unstoppable force that dominates and apprehends the antagonists, rarely showing any 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.
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Creators and the audience alike are now turning to a more refreshing look at the action genre, seeing protagonists who are vulnerable, who can bleed, and who aren’t made infallible by Hollywood plot armor. In movies such as Atomic Blonde and Nobody, the stars are seen to be genuinely injured, and include more realistic fight scenes that show exhaustion and believable outcomes. The increased vulnerability and normalization of the leads create some of the best action films of all time, with the stories and stakes feeling that much more real and entertaining.
10 John Wick (2014)
Starring Keanu Reeves
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20 9.5/10 John Wick RThrillerAction
John Wick is the first entry in the action-thriller franchise directed by Chad Stahelski and starring Keanu Reeves. Retired hitman John is brought back into the field when the dog his recently deceased life left him is murdered. Full of rage and equipped with unparalleled combat skills, John begins to track down the ones responsible for the act of violence and lays waste to any who dare to cross his path, sending panic throughout the criminal underworld.
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*Availability in US Director David Leitch , Chad Stahelski Release Date October 24, 2014 Studio(s) Thunder Road Pictures , 87Eleven Productions Distributor(s) Summit Entertainment Writers Derek Kolstad Cast Keanu Reeves , Adrianne Palicki , Willem Dafoe , Bridget Moynahan , Jason Isaacs , Alfie Allen Runtime 101 Minutes Sequel(s) John Wick: Chapter 2 , John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum , John Wick: Chapter 4 Main Genre Thriller Expand
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John Wick might not be the first action film to come to mind when thinking of lead characters who aren’t invincible, as Wick, admittedly, basically becomes invincible in the franchise sequels. So much so that many people have noted that various scenes in John Wick make no sense, as he survives such devastating attacks and injuries, however, it is these injuries that are precisely why it makes him seem more human after all.
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In the first film, John Wick is definitely more of a realistic hero compared to the sequels, as he is more visibly broken, battered, and tired throughout his fight scenes. Keanu Reeve’s extensive training and preparation for the role further adds a layer of authenticity, and it’s the fact that he receives so much damage that makes his character seem more believable. Rather than simply swan through the plot, effortlessly defeating a slew of enemies with no consequences, Wick is brutalized and tortured many times, but his never-ending onslaught places him further down than other heroes.
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9 Blue Ruin (2013)
Starring Macon Blair
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Blue Ruin
A mysterious man’s quiet life is turned upside down when he returns to his hometown seeking revenge. Proving to be an amateur killer, he ends up in a brutal fight.
Director Jeremy Saulnier Release Date April 25, 2014 Writers Jeremy Saulnier Cast Macon Blair , Devin Ratray , Amy Hargreaves , Eve Plumb , David W. Thompson Runtime 90 Minutes
In a lesser-known action thriller, Jeremy Saulnier’s Blue Ruin follows the story of Dwight (Macon Blair), a down-on-his-luck vagrant who goes on a revenge mission against a man who was just released from prison for murdering his parents 20 years earlier. Dwight is an ordinary man with no combat skills or training, so his very being is less heroic and more of a person who has to find the inner strength and will to avenge his personal vendetta.
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Rather than an invincible machine, Dwight, masterfully portrayed by Blair, is clumsy and unnerved in many of his encounters. The fumbling and genuine concern he shows in any hostile situation, even those in which he is inflicting the damage, is extremely human and, at times, harrowing to watch. The film captures the essence of his vulnerability in trying to get revenge for a situation that, no matter what happens, can never be solved, and ultimately, Dwight pays the price by getting shot and passing away after achieving his aims.
8 Extraction 2 (2023)
Starring Chris Hemsworth
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Extraction 2 RActionThriller
Extraction 2 is the follow-up to the first Netflix adaptation of a graphic novel, directed by Sam Hargrave and written by Joe Russo. Chris Hemsworth reprises his role as former Australian spec ops turned mercenary Tyler Rake, having survived the first film’s events. The film will shift to an icy climate where he will again battle against the odds with explosive high-stakes action sequences.
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*Availability in US Director Sam Hargrave Release Date June 16, 2023 Studio(s) AGBO Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Joe Russo Cast Chris Hemsworth , Golshifteh Farahani , Daniel Bernhardt , Tinatin Dalakishvili , Sinead Phelps , Jenn Kirk , Olga Kurylenko Runtime 123 Minutes Expand
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Following the runaway success that was the first installment, Netflix greenlit Extraction 2, which sees Chris Hemsworth reprise his role as Tyler Rake, an unforgiving mercenary who is tasked with almost impossible missions, this time recovering the family of an abusive crime kingpin from prison. In Extraction, Hemsworth is shown to be mortal, being shot and left for dead, with the audience genuinely believing he could be killed in a twist. The sequel continues on with this narrative, as Rake, while obviously an incredibly gifted soldier, faces several perilous situations that all feel like life-or-death scenarios.
Related Extraction 3: Confirmation & Everything We Know
Chris Hemsworth is back as mercenary Tyler Rake in Extraction 3, as Netflix has officially confirmed. Here’s all the Extraction 3 news so far.
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Hemsworth gives another tour de force performance as the mercenary who must go through hell to save those he has sworn to rescue. In the infamous prison break scene, the most iconic of the film, 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, he can be susceptible to sustaining severe injuries. Hemsworth expertly carries his pain from scene to scene in a building of damage and tension that creates the illusion of authentic action sequences throughout the film.
7 Nobody (2021)
Starring Bob Odenkirk
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Nobody RActionDramaCrime
Bob Odenkirk stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad, and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. However, when two thieves break into his suburban home, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son is disappointed in him, and his wife seems to pull only further away – but the incident triggers the underlying rage in Hutch, leading him down a path to become a dangerous man with brutal skills and the attitude to match.
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*Availability in US Director Ilya Naishuller Release Date March 26, 2021 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Derek Kolstad Cast Paisley Cadorath , J.P. Manoux , Gage Munroe , Araya Mengesha , Bob Odenkirk , Christopher Lloyd , Humberly González , Aleksey Serebryakov , RZA , Connie Nielsen , Paul Essiembre Runtime 92minutes Expand
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In the action thriller Nobody, Bob Odenkirk stars as hapless family man Hutch Mansell, who must return to his former life as a deadly assassin when a crime lord targets him and his family. Similar to John Wick, those who have seen the film may question the choice, as Mansell goes on a relentless tear in the second half of the film. However, throughout the first half, he suffers from several injuries and beatings that form a realistic groundwork for his character that show him as anything but invincible.
Odenkirk gives one of his finest performances as the worn-down family man who has to go above and beyond to protect his family. The film had gained much popularity and been widely celebrated for using an actor like Odenkirk, who was 59 when the film was released, far from a chiseled, young behemoth who looks and feels unstoppable. Odenkirk’s more relatable and realistic demeanor and figure make the fight scenes more impactful, such as the impeccably choreographed melee on the bus that sees Bob get injured almost as much as the gang he is facing.
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6 Kate (2021)
Starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead
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Kate RActionAdventureCrime
An action crime thriller, Kate follows the titular character, a skilled assassin at the height of her game. But when she makes a careless mistake and compromises an assignment targeting a member of the Yakuza while in Tokyo, she discovers she’s been poisoned with a deadly serum that slowly kills her from the inside out, giving her less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her killers. As her body swiftly deteriorates, Kate forms an unlikely bond with the teenage daughter of one of her past victims.
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*Availability in US Director Cedric Nicolas-Troyan Release Date September 10, 2021 Studio(s) Netflix Distributor(s) Netflix Writers Umair Aleem Cast Miyavi , Michiel Huisman , Woody Harrelson , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Jun Kunimura , Miku Martineau , Tadanobu Asano Runtime 106 minutes Expand
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 start of the film, giving her only 24 hours left to live. The premise automatically humanizes the leading star as her physical decline and failing health become more apparent with each passing scene. The narrative is full of suspense and drama as Kate tries to pull off her final mission before succumbing to the poisoning.
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Winstead gives an extraordinary performance as a powerful and commanding killer who is placed in an incredibly heart-wrenching and vulnerable position. Kate gets dizzy, feels faint, gets involved in a car accident, and ultimately passes away on a roof after completing her mission to kill a high-ranking Yakuza boss. There is no Deus ex machina plot twist that eventually comes to the rescue; it is a beautiful narrative about the determination and resilience of a leading character who follows through on their agreement, even knowing that there will be nothing left in the end.
5 The Night Comes For Us (2018)
Starring Joe Taslim
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The Night Comes For Us RActionCrimeThriller
The Night Comes For Us is a 2018 Indonesian action thriller film that follows Ito, a former triad enforcer, who must protect a young girl from a gang of assassins while on the run in Jakarta. Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, the film features a high-octane mix of martial arts and gunfights as Ito faces off against his former allies.
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*Availability in US Director Timo Tjahjanto Release Date October 5, 2018 Studio(s) Screenplay Infinite Films , XYZ Films Writers Timo Tjahjanto Cast Joe Taslim , Iko Uwais , Julie Estelle , Sunny Pang , Asha Kenyeri Bermudez Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
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Timo Tjahjanto is the writing and directing talent behind one of the most underrated Indonesian films in recent memory, the gruesome and action-packed The Night Comes for Us. Joe Taslim plays Ito, a former top enforcer of the Triads who is on the run after rescuing a young girl from the syndicate and now must protect her from his former gang, who have been tasked with finding the two. Ito, while showing signs of an incredible combat skill set, is never far away from receiving a brutal beat down.
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The 10 Best Action Films With Non-Invincible Leading Characters: |
IMDb Rating: |
|---|---|
|
John Wick (2014) |
7.4/10 |
|
Blue Ruin (2013) |
7.1/10 |
|
Extraction 2 (2023) |
7.0/10 |
|
Nobody (2021) |
7.4/10 |
|
Kate (2021) |
6.2/10 |
|
The Night Comes for Us (2018) |
6.9/10 |
|
Upgrade (2018) |
7.5/10 |
|
Monkey Man (2024) |
6.9/10 |
|
B ullet Train (2022) |
7.3/10 |
|
Atomic Blonde (2017) |
6.7/10 |
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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 that the lead character is some kind of all-out superhero. Taslim beautifully portrays a realistic version of his character, far removed from a comic book page, who faces real threats and real adversity. The film is quite literally soaked in Ito’s blood, and he goes through many unrelenting and punishing fight sequences that leave no doubt that the man can be physically harmed or even killed.
4 Upgrade (2018)
Starring Logan Marshall-Green
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Upgrade RHorror Sci-FiAction
Written and directed by Leigh Whannell, Upgrade is a Sci-Fi, Action, and Cyberpunk film starring Betty Gabriel, Logan Marshall-Green, and Harrison Gilbertson. The plot sees a man suffering a tragic accident and becoming paralyzed as a result. He soon accepts a STEM implant that gives him back his body and much more.
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*Availability in US Director Leigh Whannell Release Date June 1, 2018 Studio(s) Blumhouse Productions , Goalpost Pictures , Nervous Tick Productions , Film Victoria , Automatik Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Leigh Whannell Cast Betty Gabriel , Logan Marshall-Green , Harrison Gilbertson Runtime 100 minutes Expand
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A leading action star paralyzed by an accident is potentially the quickest way to start a film that proves the character is anything but invincible. Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade is a cyberpunk action film that follows Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green), an auto mechanic who becomes a wheelchair-using quadriplegic after a car accident but regains his motor functions after receiving a ‘STEM’ implant from a renowned technological innovator. Though he gains mobility and skills through his AI implant, he still shows moments of vulnerability, often losing control to the system designed to help him.
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Marshall-Green does an excellent job at portraying his character’s internal conflict at being joyful to regain his former movements, but also apprehensive at the new technology that has turned him into a lethal fighting machine. There are many poignant and sad moments throughout the film, with Grey attempting to take his own life after coming to terms with his initial diagnosis. Though the implant turns him into an invincible cyborg of sorts, the human qualities and emotions exhibited masterfully convey the vulnerable and sensitive side of the main character.
3 Monkey Man (2024)
Starring Dev Patel
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10/10 Monkey Man RActionThriller
Monkey Man is a 2024 action-thriller film directed by and starring Dev Patel. Following his release from prison, a man known as “Kid” makes a living by engaging in anonymous underground fights in a mask where he is beaten down each night. However, after witnessing greed and corruption consuming his city, Kid breaks into the upper echelon of society to find those who destroyed his life and take them down.
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*Availability in US Director Dev Patel Release Date April 5, 2024 Studio(s) Thunder Road Films , Bron Studios , Monkey Paw Productions Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Dev Patel , Paul Angunawela , John Collee Cast Dev Patel , Sharlto Copely , Pitobash , Vipin Sharma , Sikandar Kher , Sobhita Dhulipala , Ashwini Kalsekar , Adithi Kalkunte , Makarand Deshpande Runtime 121 Minutes Main Genre Action Expand
In his directorial debut, Dev Patel also gives one of the most iconic performances of his career in Monkey Man, a film that sees him play Kid, a child who grew up to become the titular star, working as a heel and jobber at an underground fight club. Kid grew up in a village that saw his mom and fellow locals slaughtered by a corrupt police chief in a bid to conquer their land. His haunted past and quest for vengeance definitely ground his role, as we see the pain and anguish from his past as the young boy helpless to prevent the death of his mother.
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Seeing the leading star, capable of beating down multiple assailants at once, as a small child facing incomprehensible horror makes the grown-up version shown seem a much more human and relatable figure. Patel gives a perfectly balanced portrayal of a brutal underground fighter who is haunted by his past and physically his body is beaten and shattered through many intricate and gory fighting sequences. In the end, he gets his revenge, but his body is battered, almost beyond repair, as he collapses just before the credits roll.
2 Bullet Train (2022)
Starring Brad Pitt
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7.2/10 Bullet Train Not Yet RatedThrillerAction
Packing a stellar cast with the likes of Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, and Zazie Beetz, David Leitch’s Bullet Train tells the story of an assassin for hire who bumps into multiple dangerous criminals aboard a high-speed Shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Kyoto. The 2022 action comedy is an adaptation of Kōtarō Isaka’s novel “Maria Beetle”.
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*Availability in US Director David Leitch Release Date July 29, 2022 Studio(s) Sony Distributor(s) Sony Writers Zak Olkewicz Cast Logan Lerman , Karen Fukuhara , Hiroyuki Sanada , Joey King , Brian Tyree Henry , Andrew Koji , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Masi Oka , Brad Pitt , Zazie Beetz , Michael Shannon , Sandra Bullock Runtime 126 minutes Expand
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Bullet Train is an action film that puts an unusual and perfectly executed vulnerable twist on the leading star by making him the opposite of what is usually expected in a leading role. The action archetype is one of poise, confidence, and unmatched athleticism, capable of clearing and dominating any room, so Brad Pitt’s portrayal of an assassin, “Ladybug” who has bouts of crippling anxiety, doubts himself, and who deems himself a bad omen is an excellent counter to the usual tropes. Pitt nails the brief of a complex, anxious character while still maintaining his suave nature and deadly skills.
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Ladybug believes himself to be bad luck after several missions see several people die around him in accidental deaths, a hilarious concept for an assassin who is paid to murder. His misadventures, combined with Pitt’s spot-on portrayal, make a deeply human foundation for his role while showcasing his underrated comedic timing. He is exposed to snake venom, poisoned, attacked, and beaten while dealing with his own mental issues, which truly creates a character who seems anything but an unstoppable hero.
1 Atomic Blonde (2017)
Starring Charlize Theron
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7.5/10 Atomic Blonde RThrillerActionAdventureMystery
Based on a graphic novel, Atomic Blonde stars Charlize Theron as Lorraine Broughton, an MI6 agent who is attempting to locate a sensitive list of double agent spies before it is smuggled from East to West Germany, just before the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Theron is joined by a cast that includes James McAvoy, Sofia Boutella, and John Goodman.
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*Availability in US Director David Leitch Release Date July 26, 2017 Studio(s) Focus Features Distributor(s) Focus Features Writers Kurt Johnstad , Antony Johnston , Sam Hart Cast Charlize Theron , Eddie Marsan , John Goodman , James Faulkner , Toby Jones , James McAvoy , Daniel Bernhardt , Sofia Boutella Runtime 115 minutes Expand
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In a film that shows the true vulnerability and honest detraction of its lead, Atomic Blonde sees the wonderful Charlize Theron portray M16 spy Lorraine Broughton, who is tasked with finding a list of deadly double agents. Unlike an ‘invincible’ spy like James Bond, Theron gives a relatable and realistic portrayal of a female agent who has to take on multiple assailants or larger male figures. The film and direction don’t shy away from the physical mismatch, and rather than allowing Theron to simply overpower the large foes in an illogical way, she wins by skills, training, and street smarts.
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In perhaps her most intense action role, Theron is visibly shaken, battered, and bloodied after each encounter, showing the brutal realities of fighting, something that is rarely shown in such an honest way. The infamous scene in the apartment stairwell sees her almost beaten to death, and she is forced to use every tactic in her arsenal to survive, showcasing incredible resilience and grit. While often physically outmatched, the narrative is driven by the spy’s heroics despite the incredible odds, and the fact she is so deeply humanized makes the triumphs and accomplishments that much more impactful.
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