127 Hours (2010) is a harrowing survival drama directed by Danny Boyle and based on the real-life ordeal of Aron Ralston, a mountaineer who became trapped by a boulder in a remote Utah canyon in 2003. The film is adapted from Ralston’s autobiography, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, and stars James Franco in a career-defining performance.

The story follows Aron Ralston (Franco), who embarks on a solo canyoneering adventure in Blue John Canyon, Utah. After a misstep, a falling boulder pins his right arm against the canyon wall, leaving him trapped without any hope of immediate rescue. Over the course of five days (127 hours), Aron reflects on his life, records video messages, and ultimately takes the drastic measure of amputating his own arm with a dull multitool in order to survive.

127 Hours is more than a survival thriller—it’s a profound meditation on life, isolation, and the human spirit’s resilience. Brutal, intense, and ultimately uplifting, it stands out as a deeply personal cinematic journey, anchored by a fearless performance and masterful direction.