The Smashing Machine – REVIEW

by

Just as it would have been incredibly difficult to find a stunt double for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime, it would have been nearly impossible for anyone other than the former wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to portray the groundbreaking MMA fighter Mark Kerr. He’s the “Smashing Machine” – an almost overwhelming competitor who defeats opponents, often leaving them unconscious. This sport is about as different from a relaxing game of crown green bowls as you could imagine.

Beginning in 1997, Kerr was a leading figure in the early days of MMA, a sport that hadn’t yet gained widespread recognition. His skill was powerfully displayed at an MMA tournament in Sao Paulo, where he decisively defeated his opponent to win. However, the financial reward was minimal compared to today’s standards, leading him to compete in a UFC tournament in Japan called the Pride Fighting Championships – a competition known for its intense and often brutal contests (‘You’re fired! – Ed). Despite clear rules prohibiting a specific technique, his opponent used it anyway, resulting in Kerr’s first career loss. Kerr rightfully protested the illegal move, which should have resulted in his victory, but the fight was declared a no decision – meaning he neither won nor lost. This frustrating outcome marked the beginning of a downward spiral, leading to depression and an opioid dependency, worsened by issues with his long-term girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt).

Throughout the story, Kerr comes across as friendly and surprisingly sensitive, even considering his large size and athletic prowess. However, after completing rehab and stopping steroid use, several scenes hint that it was the roids which maintained his good-natured, larger-than-life personality.

The film really allows Johnson to demonstrate his acting range, moving beyond the big action movies he’s famous for – he was a top box office draw for several years. This feels like a fresh start for him as a performer; he’s quite good, even with some noticeable prosthetics and a new hairstyle. He handles the quieter, more emotional moments well, like after his initial defeat in Japan, where he remains polite and gentle with the tournament sponsor before privately allowing himself to break down. However, he also convincingly portrays intense anger, such as when he instantly destroys a door during one of his many disagreements with Dawn. Blunt delivers a strong performance as always, though her character feels a bit underdeveloped.

Benny Safdie wrote, directed, and edited the film, giving many scenes a documentary-like quality – this even applies to the fight sequences. Unlike films like Raging Bull and the Rocky series, the camera generally keeps us watching from outside the ring. This approach positions the audience primarily as observers. The film also features real-life wrestlers like Ryan Baderm, Satoshi Ishii, James Moontasri, boxer Oleksandr Usyk, and Bas Rutten playing themselves. Mark Kerr even appears as himself (thankfully without a brother named Wayne!) in scenes that have a documentary feel and occasionally break the fourth wall.

Similar to The Iron Claw (2023) starring Zac Efron, this documentary offers a compelling look at a fighter who largely defined the early MMA world but never received the recognition he earned. The Smashing Machine corrects this oversight, featuring a central performance that many consider even stronger than the film itself.

Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie at the London premiere…..

Here’s The Smashing Machine trailer…..

Read More

2025-09-30 02:24