The Smashing Machine Review
By Asmita - Sep 02, 2025
Benny Safdie's directorial debut, The Smashing Machine, explores the life of UFC fighter Mark Kerr, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, delving into the raw realities of his rise, struggles with trauma, and opioid addiction. The film combines gritty realism, dark humor, and a haunting portrayal by Johnson to depict Kerr's journey as a fighter battling inner demons. Anchored by authentic performances and eschewing conventional sports drama tropes, the movie provides a somber and intimate study of hardship and resilience, examining the toll MMA took on fighters in its early days. Johnson's nuanced performance, supported by Emily Blunt, elevates the story into a laceratingly humane experience, showcasing the relentless struggle for dignity amid physical and emotional destruction.
Dwayne Johnson via HDwallpapers.net
,[object Object],’s solo directorial debut, ,[object Object],, is a gripping and unconventional sports biopic that centers on the life of ,[object Object],, a pioneering UFC fighter portrayed by ,[object Object],. Unlike typical sports movies with triumphant endings, Safdie’s film explores the raw and often painful realities behind Kerr’s rise and struggles, including his battles with trauma and opioid addiction. Johnson’s transformation under prosthetics is striking, making him nearly unrecognizable as he brings a haunting humanity to this larger-than-life figure. The film blends gritty realism, muted tones, and moments of dark humor to depict a man who is both a brutal fighter and a sensitive soul wrestling with his inner demons.
The narrative delves into the early days of MMA and the UFC when the sport was far from mainstream or lucrative, focusing on the physical and emotional toll it took on fighters like Kerr. The film is anchored by authentic performances not only from Johnson but also from real fighters such as Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten, adding to the visceral impact of the fight scenes and training sequences. The story moves fluidly between Kerr’s violent exploits in the ring and his vulnerable moments outside it, depicting his struggle to control the rage inside while maintaining his relationships. The atmosphere created is somber and restrained, eschewing conventional sports drama tropes in favor of an intimate study of hardship and resilience.
Johnson’s portrayal is widely hailed as one of his best to date, where he sheds his usual blockbuster persona for a deeply affecting and nuanced performance. He presents Kerr as a "gentle giant" with complex layers, conveying unspoken pain and internal conflict with subtlety. The character’s paradox of delivering brutal physical blows while hiding emotional vulnerability resonates throughout the film. Co-star Emily Blunt as Kerr’s emotionally volatile girlfriend adds further depth, portraying the complicated and sometimes destructive dynamics of their relationship. Together, the performances elevate the story beyond a typical athlete biopic into a laceratingly humane and emotionally rich experience.
Safdie’s script and direction also distinguish ,The Smashing Machine, from formulaic sports films by focusing more on the ongoing struggles and psychological complexities rather than a clean redemption arc. The film reflects a realistic portrait of addiction, recovery, and identity crisis without descending into melodrama or clichés. Instead, it captures the relentlessness of Kerr's life—his fight for dignity amid physical and emotional destruction—and allows the audience to experience the bittersweet reality of a fighter who must find himself beyond his victories and defeats. The cinematic tone, music choices, and carefully paced storytelling combine to create a haunting meditation on the cost of fame and the human spirit.
