REVIEW: “The Smashing Machine” (2025)

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Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are working together again, but this time in a very different kind of movie than their fun adventure, “Jungle Cruise.” “The Smashing Machine” is a serious biographical drama based on a 2002 documentary about mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr. The film tells the story of Kerr’s career and his impact as one of the early stars of the sport.

Director Benny Safdie won a Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival for his film, “The Smashing Machine,” and the movie is being distributed by A24 – both facts that created a lot of buzz. However, despite all the hype, the film turns out to be a fairly standard sports drama. It follows a well-worn formula, but with some unique elements that set it apart.

Dwayne Johnson truly shines in his portrayal of Mark Kerr. While it’s expected he’d bring the physical strength and wrestling skills to the part, what’s most impressive is his emotional depth. Johnson fully immerses himself in the role, which is remarkable considering he doesn’t often let his guard down.

“The Smashing Machine” feels remarkably similar to a real-life documentary. Director Josh Safdie, in his first solo directing effort, and cinematographer Maceo Bishop use a mix of filming styles, especially VHS and 16mm film. This gives the movie a raw, textured look that feels genuine and firmly places it in the late 90s. The film focuses on a specific period in Kerr’s life – 1997 to 2000 – presenting a detailed portrait of the man himself, rather than a heavily plotted story.

The story begins with Kerr at the start of his fighting career, before mixed martial arts became popular worldwide. Back then, the sport was largely unregulated, with few rules and little organization. After building a strong reputation with wins in Brazil, Kerr started competing in the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He then moved to Japan, joining Pride FC alongside his friend, trainer, and teammate, Mark Coleman (along with Ryan Bader).

Safdie highlights the gap between how fighters are presented to the public and Mark’s actual experience. MMA organizations create an image of their athletes as incredibly tough and unbeatable warriors. However, Mark is a surprisingly kind and gentle person beneath his tough exterior. When he’s doing well, he’s almost sweetly innocent, but when faced with challenges, he can become easily frustrated and childish. And Mark definitely faces some serious difficulties.

Mark’s career hits a rough patch in Japan after a surprising defeat – caused by a referee who didn’t follow updated rules. This loss is compounded by physical injuries that lead him to rely on painkillers. Simultaneously, his personal life is turbulent, as his relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt), is filled with drama and ongoing issues.

The movie shines whenever Mark and Dawn share the screen. Their relationship is a complex mix of love and conflict, creating compelling and realistic drama. They clearly care for each other, but their frequent arguments – sometimes caused by Mark’s subtle jabs and other times by Dawn’s harshness – reveal a troubled dynamic. While their relationship is flawed, neither character is simply a ‘bad guy.’ Their love feels genuine, but so do the frustrations that lead to intense disagreements.

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2025-10-06 17:58