training and self-improvement

His films obsessively examine characters pushing themselves to psychological and physical extremes in pursuit of perfection, as seen in The Wrestler, Black Swan, and Requiem for a Dream.

He explores personal transformation and the discipline required to overcome trauma and achieve mastery, particularly in Prisoners, Enemy, and Sicario.

Her work celebrates resilience and self-reliance through intimate portraits of individuals adapting and improving within harsh circumstances, as demonstrated in The Rider and Nomadland.