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Unbreakable (film)

Unbreakable is a 2000 American superhero thriller film written, produced, and directed by M.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Unbreakable is a 2000 American superhero thriller film written, produced, and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It stars Bruce Willis as David Dunn, a man who survives a train crash unharmed, and Samuel L. Jackson as Elijah Price, a comic book collector who believes Dunn has extraordinary abilities. The film explores themes of identity, fragility, and heroism.

Plot

The story follows David Dunn after he becomes the sole survivor of a train disaster. Elijah Price approaches him with a theory that comic books reflect real human archetypes, pushing Dunn to consider that he may have unusual abilities.

Production

Unbreakable was written, directed, and produced by M. Night Shyamalan. The film was made in the United States and released in English.

Cast and characters

Bruce Willis plays David Dunn, Samuel L. Jackson plays Elijah Price, and Robin Wright appears as Dunn's wife. The performances centre on the contrast between Dunn's physical resilience and Price's vulnerability.

Release and reception

The film was released in November 2000 and later received recognition as an early example of a grounded superhero film. It has since been discussed as part of Shyamalan's connected film series.

Key facts

  • The film centres on David Dunn, who survives a catastrophic train crash without injuries.
  • Samuel L. Jackson plays Elijah Price, a comic book dealer who believes Dunn may be a real-life superhero.
  • M. Night Shyamalan wrote, directed, and produced the film.
  • The cast also includes Robin Wright in a supporting role.
  • Unbreakable was later incorporated into the Eastrail 177 trilogy with Split and Glass.

Frequently asked questions

What is Unbreakable about?
It follows a man who survives a train crash unharmed and is drawn into a theory that he may have superhuman abilities.
Who directed Unbreakable?
M. Night Shyamalan directed, wrote, and produced the film.
Who stars in Unbreakable?
The film stars Bruce Willis, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robin Wright.
When was Unbreakable released?
It was released on November 22, 2000.
Is Unbreakable part of a series?
Yes. It is linked with Split and Glass in the Eastrail 177 trilogy.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbreakable_(film)
    Supports: Basic identification, premise, cast, and Shyamalan's role as writer, director, and producer.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0217869/
    Supports: Release year, cast, plot premise, and runtime.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unbreakable
    Supports: Release date, runtime, genre, rating, and synopsis.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unbreakable_(film_series)
    Supports: Placement of Unbreakable within the Eastrail 177 trilogy.