Jennifer Lopez is undoubtedly one of the most versatile entertainers of our generation. From the concert stage to the silver screen, she is an unstoppable force who is grossly underappreciated. This became especially clear to me after watching her latest movie, Atlas.

Growing up, like many others, I knew Jennifer Lopez as “Jenny from the Block.” Her music wasn’t my thing, so I didn’t pay much attention to her. Over time, however, she became a familiar face in movies that everyone likes but doesn’t always admit to—films like The Cell, Anaconda, and El Cantante.

It wasn’t until I met my partner, almost 10 years ago, that I fully understood what Jennifer Lopez was all about: hard work and hustle. My partner showed me a documentary about the making of one of her concerts, and I was blown away by the intensity and dedication she put into it. I had pegged her as a typical “Hollywood” star who did the basics but talked a big game about hard work. I was wrong. She puts as much effort and creativity into her work as Michael Jackson did. It’s remarkable.

What I started doing, and what mainstream critics often fail to do, is pay attention to what she does.

Earlier this year, she released This Is Me… Now, a movie that felt straight out of the mind of Baz Luhrmann. It’s incredibly poetic, meaningful, and a beautiful way for someone to tell a personal story. It’s a visual gem. An original vision.

And just last Friday, she released Atlas on Netflix, a film that was so unexpected it deeply intrigued me. Atlas is a mech enthusiast’s dream come true. The movie focuses on an AI analyst helping the government hunt down her mother’s creation—a fully aware AI android. Think Terminator or Blade Runner.

What makes Atlas stand out is that it’s not about an action hero kicking ass. Instead, it centers on Lopez’s character, Atlas Shepherd, who is deeply flawed and thrown into a hero’s journey that hits on multiple levels because her character was fully fleshed out.

Atlas Shepherd’s journey begins with a call to action she cannot ignore. Initially she doesn’t think the mission is a good idea mission but she is obsessed with making sure it goes as planned. Her world is turned upside down ( hero journey 101) when she is forced to confront her deepest fears and prejudices about AI. The familiar trope of the hero’s call to adventure is evident here, but with a unique twist. Atlas’s journey is not just about external battles but also an internal struggle to overcome her distrust of AI and find forgiveness so she can embrace a new reality.

As she embarks on her quest, Atlas encounters numerous trials and tribulations, each testing her resolve and pushing her to her limits. Her journey is marked by classic hero’s journey elements: mentors who guide her ( Smith), allies who support her ( The General ) , and enemies who challenge her (Harlan the AI)  The climax of her journey involves a profound confrontation with the AI, Smith, and her mech suit. This relationship, fraught with tension,  emotion, and pure mech candy, symbolizes the ultimate test of her character.

The hero’s journey is complete when Atlas emerges transformed, having not only faced her fears but also grown from them. She learns to trust and to see AI not as a threat but as a potential ally. Her evolution from a skeptic to a believer mirrors the classic arc of self-discovery and redemption found in the best hero stories.

Reflecting on Atlas and Jennifer Lopez’s career, it makes sense why she made this movie. It confronts one of her core traits: overcoming challenges and being open to learning, no matter who, what, or where you are in life.

Atlas is an epic sci-fi movie with a solid message and massive franchise potential, which is a rarity. I mean, think about the awful Rebel Moon movies. What’s even rarer is a sci-fi movie that makes me want to buy action figures. So, I ask: WHERE ARE MY ATLAS AND SMITH ACTION FIGURES? I NEED THEM NOW.

ATLAS 5/5 – Jennifer Lopez wows in this exciting and inventive mech suit masterpiece!