The Smashing Machine (2025)

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Movie Details	Information
Release Date	October 3, 2025 (USA)
Director	Benny Safdie
Distributed By	A24
Writers	Benny Safdie
Cast	Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk
Runtime	2h 3m (123 minutes)
Age Rating	R (Violence, Language, Drug Use)
Genre	Biographical Sports Drama
Budget	$45 million (estimated)

Review: 

A compelling character study that showcases Johnson's dramatic range

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? In "The Smashing Machine," that immovable object isn't an opponent in the octagon—it's the demons within. Benny Safdie's solo directorial debut transforms the larger-than-life persona of Dwayne Johnson into something unexpectedly vulnerable, crafting a sports biopic that hits harder outside the ring than inside it.

Set against the backdrop of late 1990s mixed martial arts, "The Smashing Machine" chronicles three pivotal years in the life of Mark Kerr, the UFC champion who dominated every opponent except his own addiction. Johnson disappears into the role with a physical transformation that's as impressive as it is unsettling—gone is the polished Hollywood megastar, replaced by a man whose pain runs deeper than any championship belt can heal.

The film's greatest strength lies in its refusal to glorify violence or addiction. Instead, Safdie presents both as inextricably linked elements of a man's downward spiral, making every victory feel hollow and every defeat devastatingly personal.

Safdie's approach to the sports biopic genre feels refreshingly unconventional. Rather than following Kerr's entire career arc, the narrative laser-focuses on his time in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships, where painkiller addiction slowly consumed the fighter who once seemed invincible. This tight temporal focus allows for deeper character exploration, though it occasionally leaves audiences wanting more context about what made Kerr the fighter he became.

This is unquestionably Johnson's most challenging and rewarding performance to date. The actor, known for his charismatic action roles, strips away every trace of his usual persona to embody a man wrestling with demons far more dangerous than any cage opponent. His portrayal of Kerr's descent into addiction is handled with remarkable sensitivity—never exploitative, always human. The physical transformation Johnson underwent is immediately striking, but it's his emotional vulnerability that truly impresses. In quiet moments between interviews and training sessions, we see a champion grappling with the realization that his greatest battles aren't fought in front of roaring crowds. Johnson's performance suggests depths we've never seen from him before, making a compelling case for his dramatic capabilities beyond the action genre.

Emily Blunt brings nuanced complexity to Dawn Staples, Kerr's girlfriend and eventual wife. While the role could have easily fallen into the "suffering partner" trope, Blunt infuses Dawn with her own agency and pain. Their domestic scenes crackle with tension that rivals any octagon showdown, particularly in moments where Dawn confronts Mark about how his addiction affects everyone around him. The casting of real fighters like Ryan Bader and heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk adds an authenticity that trained actors might struggle to achieve. Their presence in fight scenes creates a visceral realism that makes every blow feel consequential. Veteran action star Bas Rutten, playing himself as Kerr's trainer, brings decades of fighting experience to scenes that require both physical and emotional truth.

 

Safdie's directorial approach emphasizes intimacy over spectacle. The camera work during fight scenes is deliberately claustrophobic, making audiences feel every impact while never glorifying the violence. The sound design deserves particular praise—every punch, every crowd roar, every moment of silence between rounds contributes to the film's emotional landscape. The period soundtrack cleverly uses late 90s hits like Sublime's "Santeria" and Sugar Ray's "Every Morning" to ground viewers in the era while providing emotional counterpoints to the darker themes. These familiar songs create an interesting juxtaposition between the optimism of the era's popular culture and the personal struggles consuming Kerr's life.

A Different Kind of Sports Movie

"The Smashing Machine" succeeds because it understands that the most interesting battles aren't always the ones fought in public. While the fight sequences are expertly crafted and brutally realistic, the film's heart lies in quieter moments—a champion explaining MMA to an elderly woman in a doctor's waiting room, a couple arguing in their Arizona home, a man staring at his reflection and not recognizing the person looking back. The film's exploration of MMA's evolution from no-holds-barred brutality to regulated sport provides fascinating context for Kerr's story. As the sport grew more civilized, Kerr's personal life became increasingly chaotic, creating an ironic parallel that Safdie handles with subtle intelligence.

Final Verdict

"The Smashing Machine" proves that the most compelling victories aren't always about winning championships—sometimes they're about finding the strength to face your own demons. Johnson delivers a performance that should redefine his career trajectory, while Safdie crafts a sports biopic that prioritizes character over spectacle.

This isn't the feel-good underdog story that many sports films deliver. Instead, it's a raw, honest examination of how success can mask profound personal struggles, and how the strength to fight in a cage doesn't always translate to the strength needed for life outside it. While the film occasionally suffers from pacing issues and could benefit from broader scope, its emotional authenticity and Johnson's powerhouse performance make it a compelling watch. "The Smashing Machine" stands as both a showcase for Johnson's dramatic evolution and a testament to Safdie's ability to find humanity in the most brutal circumstances. It's a film that respects its subject matter, its audience, and most importantly, the real man whose story inspired it.

"I never lost, so I can't tell you how it feels."

Mark Kerr's words before his biggest fight prove prophetic in ways he never imagined. Sometimes the hardest losses happen outside the octagon, and the most important victories are the ones nobody sees. Don't miss Johnson's career-defining performance—this is one fight worth watching.