The Smashing Machine (2025)

​“The Smashing Machine” stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Oleksandr Usyk, Bas Rutten, and Ryan Bader.  Released on October 3, 2025, the film chronicles the struggles of amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr.

The film is written and directed by Benny Safdie, who co-directed “Daddy Longlegs”, “Heaven Knows What”, “Good Time”, and “Uncut Gems” with Josh Safdie.  It is based on the 2002 documentary, “The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr”, directed by John Hyams.  There’s no denying that sports can be thrilling to watch or participate in, but they also pose certain risks that can endanger athletes.  One such sport is mixed martial arts (MMA), which is similar to wrestling, but with the added element of striking techniques, including punching and kicking.  In its early days, this brutal sport was deemed perilous due to its no-holds-barred nature; yet, people were going wild over it.  But I’m sure you’re not here for a history lesson on MMA.  You’re interested in the story of a renowned MMA fighter who battled his demons both inside and outside the ring: Mark Kerr.  This year, one of the Safdie brothers, Benny, is having a cinematic sibling rivalry with his older brother, as he brings to life the big-screen journey of the wrestler’s career and struggles, with Dwayne Johnson taking the lead in his outside-the-box role.  While Kerr’s life was previously explored in John Hyams’ HBO documentary, Benny Safdie aims to present his own version of the MMA fighter’s battle against addiction and relationship dramas during a crucial tournament.  Does it pack an engaging punch worthy of its cinematic title, or should audiences consider switching to another sport?  Let’s find out.

The story revolves around the real accounts of Mark Kerr (Johnson), an amateur wrestler who pursues his career as an MMA fighter.  He competes and wins in various MMA tournaments, earning him the nickname “The Smashing Machine”.  However, alongside his achievements, Mark grapples with a narcotics addiction that not only impacts his mental well-being but also strains his relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples (Blunt).  Consequently, Mark finds himself striving to conquer his addiction while competing in a Pride Fighting Tournament in Japan.

Although I may not be as enthusiastic about MMA as many others, that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy films centered around this intense sport.  Before you ask, I don’t have the mental state and physical strength to compete in it.  Of course, that’s not the only reason for my interest in the film.  Regarding the Safdie Brothers’ filmography, the only movie I’ve watched is “Uncut Gems”, a gripping and nerve-wracking thriller that showcases Adam Sandler’s impressive acting skills.  Given their exploration of the psychological and stressful aspects of the human condition, “The Smashing Machine” appears to be a fitting choice for one of them.  Additionally, we have Dwayne Johnson taking a similar route as Sandler by stepping outside his comfort zone.  As someone who enjoys watching Johnson in action and comedy movies, I’m happy that he’s pushing his boundaries to portray a more complex character rather than just another muscle-bound superhero.  Nonetheless, there’s still the matter of whether this latest sports biopic is hard-hitting enough to justify Johnson’s distinct direction.

After viewing the film, I can wholeheartedly say that “The Smashing Machine” may not smash every expectation in terms of storytelling.  It is a gritty yet somewhat restrained sports drama that borrows some narrative elements from other biographical films without giving itself an extra push in its themes.  However, despite its narrative missteps, I found myself thoroughly engaged from beginning to end.  It’s not just because of its filmmaking craft and entertaining portrayal of Kerr’s pivotal moment.  It is also because of Dwayne Johnson himself, who conveys the former MMA fighter with a delicate sense of humanity and complexity.  Known primarily as a box office magnet, particularly in franchises like “Fast & Furious” and “Moana”, Johnson in “Smashing Machine” transcended his usual roles, demonstrating his prowess as an actor rather than as a mere product placement for blockbuster marketing.  The result is a sensational performance that could positively reshape people's perspective of him.  Johnson still maintained his characteristic charisma we’re used to seeing in his previous movies, but his heavily dramatic moments are where his acting truly shines.  His portrayal possesses a soul that captures the subtle emotional weight of his confrontations inside and outside the ring.  

Dwayne Johnson has long earned my respect for his magnetic presence and ability to entertain audiences in his blockbuster films.  However, his authentic and dramatic portrayal of Mark Kerr deepened my appreciation for him because he embraced the challenge of unconventional roles rather than those tailored to modern audiences.  Additionally, the makeup team deserves plenty of recognition for their work in transforming Johnson into Mark Kerr, especially in the third act.  I can bet that you can’t tell that was Johnson during that sequence.  This is undoubtedly another Safdie film that helped an actor push themselves into unfamiliar territory, following Adam Sandler’s role in “Uncut Gems”, even though Benny directed this one solo.  As for the rest of the cast, they did very well in keeping up with Johnson’s supremacy inside and outside the MMA tournaments.  Emily Blunt, who previously collaborated with Johnson in “Jungle Cruise”, delivered a heart-wrenching and profound performance that reflects Dawn’s struggles with Mark’s insecurities and arrogance.  It’s early to say whether it’ll earn her some recognition at awards season, but Blunt’s dramatic heft in Dawn’s meltdowns further demonstrates her versatility as an actress.  Ryan Bader, an MMA fighter in real life, also delivered a solid performance as Mark Coleman, and Bas Rutten provided some impressive moments as the cinematic version of himself.

It does seem odd that I began my review with the cast, but considering how great Johnson and Blunt were together, I was willing to make it an exception.  But what about the film itself?  As I mentioned, it’s an engaging biopic characterized by tense drama and enthralling MMA sequences, which Benny Safdie suitably managed through his direction and editing.  This is Benny’s first solo directorial feature without Josh's assistance, but I can still sense the cinematic vision provided by one of the brothers.  This was evident in the dramatic tension surrounding Mark’s internal struggles and his strained relationship with Dawn, which evoked a palpable unease.  Of course, there’s also Safdie’s approach to Maceo Bishop’s cinematography, which captures a genuine 90s atmosphere through the use of VHS camera lenses, a pleasing filter, and traditional film techniques.  For a first-time solo directorial effort, Benny Safdie definitely shows promise in bringing more of his vision to the screen, even if he didn’t push through some cinematic boundaries in his presentation. 

Regarding Safdie’s screenplay, I can only say that he’s got a few areas to improve on for his potential future projects.  “The Smashing Machine” featured some familiar narrative cliches found in other sports dramas, especially ones involving real-life athletes overcoming personal challenges.  This is reflected in Mark Kerr’s journey, as he grapples with addiction and a complicated relationship with Dawn while competing in the Pride Fighting tournament.  However, the film also explores themes of resilience in the face of loss.  Amidst the 90s MMA era, the film depicts Mark as someone who perceives himself as unbeatable until he experiences defeat for the first time.  Sports are equivalent to real life, in which you have your wins, but you also have to have some losses now and then.  What’s important is whether one can let these losses dictate one's future.  This reflection injects a dose of inspiration that could have elevated the film beyond its narrative tropes.  Unfortunately, the script’s clichés and pacing issues, particularly regarding Mark and Dawn’s relationship, kept that potential out of the winner’s circle.  I was also a bit disappointed in the film’s subdued depiction of drug addiction, which diminished some of the emotional weight and discomfort it’s going for.  Thankfully, it wasn’t enough to overshadow the commendable aspects of Safdie’s script.

Overall, “The Smashing Machine” doesn’t smash every biopic trope in its path, but its well-crafted blend of heartache, sports action, and gripping drama makes it a decently entertaining contender in the cinematic ring.  Benny Safdie’s debut as a solo director showcases plenty of strong aspects that reflect Mark Kerr’s personal struggles, with Dwayne Johnson’s career-best performance being the true standout.  Although his screenplay falls short in overcoming some of its shortcomings regarding its themes and poignancy, Safdie maintains the flair of his signature filmmaking craft and tense scenarios to deliver a mildly satisfying knockout for the genre.  I wouldn’t rank it as one of my favorites in the biographical sports drama category, but I liked it enough to recommend it to those familiar with the sport of MMA.  Of course, if you enjoy Dwayne Johnson in his other films, there’s a good chance you’ll love him even more in this one.     

B-