This week’s movie heroes are defined by their unique skills and the tools they use to overcome their obstacles. From deadly weapons to disciplined martial arts, let’s break down the iconic “tools of the trade” for the protagonists of these five new films.
The hero of Ballerina (Starz, today) has an entire arsenal at her disposal. As a product of the John Wick universe, her tools are a seamless blend of firearms and hand-to-hand combat. Her most iconic tool, however, is her training, which allows her to turn any object into a deadly weapon and move with the lethal grace of a dancer.
For Li, the protagonist of Karate Kid: Legends (Netflix, Saturday), the tools are not weapons but the disciplined techniques of karate and kung fu. His skills—the wax-on, wax-off blocking of Miyagi-Do, the fluid strikes of kung fu—are his trade. His greatest tool is his mind, learning to find balance and focus under pressure.
The “tool” used by Nicolas Cage’s character in The Surfer (Hulu, today) is his own psychological resilience. Unarmed and outmatched, his only weapon is his stubborn refusal to be broken. He endures torment and turns his opponents’ aggression against them in a battle of wits and endurance.
M3GAN’s tools in M3GAN 2.0 (Peacock) are her own advanced android capabilities. Super-strength, a genius-level intellect, the ability to hack any network, and a chillingly detached demeanor are all part of her built-in arsenal. Her skills are a terrifying product of cutting-edge technology.
In All of You (Apple TV+, tomorrow), the primary tools are vulnerability and courage. The two protagonists must use these emotional skills to navigate their complex relationship. Their ability to communicate, or their choice not to, becomes the most powerful instrument in their story.