The Smashing Machine review: Dwayne Johnson wrestles with greatness in muscular performance

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

In The Smashing Machine, Dwayne Johnson steps into a character reminiscent of his past life. As a WWE veteran, he portrays the real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr. This movie isn’t your typical sports biography but instead paints a vivid picture of a wrestler during his youthful years. Debuting at the Venice Film Festival, it offers an impressive demonstration of Johnson’s acting talent, which is more commonly associated with family-friendly films and high-action blockbusters rather than intense dramas.

During the period from 1997 to 2000, as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) was gaining popularity, an undefeated fighter named Kerr was at the peak of his career. He specialized in freestyle wrestling, but often found himself competing against opponents with diverse backgrounds – boxers, Jiu-jitsu practitioners, or karate experts. This sport is infamous for its intense, bloody, and grueling nature, widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding.

In Japan, the movie also gains popularity, featuring significant scenes set in Tokyo, where the protagonist Kerr competes in an event known as ‘Pride’. Amidst disputes about the sport’s violent nature, organizers aim to reduce excessive aggression by banning acts such as eye-gouging, head-butting, biting, and kneeling on an opponent’s head while they are down. However, Kerr’s competitor in the ring disregards these rules, leading to Kerr’s loss in his first fight, which he believes was due to a clear foul that should have been penalized.

Despite being labeled a “no contest” loss, Kerr is deeply affected by the event. Moreover, his increasing dependence on opioids, used to manage his persistent pain, proves challenging. To make matters worse, his tumultuous relationship with girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) intensifies when she visits him in Japan and finds him in a haze, barely able to converse. Frustration mounts as the once unshakeable Kerr begins to show signs of weakness.

As a passionate admirer, I eagerly anticipate “The Smashing Machine,” a groundbreaking project by director Benny Safdie, who’s venturing solo for the first time after the extraordinary collaborations in Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019), co-created with his brother Josh. Contrary to typical sports movies that ignite adrenaline and fist pumping, The Smashing Machine delves into the complexities of strained relationships. Key among these are Dawn and Kerr, as well as Kerr’s close friend, trainer, and rival, Mark Coleman (portrayed by Ryan Bader, one of several authentic MMA fighters gracing the film).

In a shift from their typical intense, emotionally charged filmmaking approach, the Safdie brothers tone it down in this production, creating space for Johnson and Blunt to shine. While Kerr’s life – grappling with addiction and the highs and lows of an extreme sport – might not deliver the dramatic intensity you’d anticipate, it bears a resemblance to Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler, albeit with a focus less on last chances and more on… something else.

In this portrayal, we catch glimpses of Kerr’s life at its peak and trough, his struggle with sobriety impacting his relationship with Dawn. At times, it feels quite explicit, such as the inclusion of Elvis Presley’s rendition of My Way in the soundtrack, a song whose lyrics seem to resonate with Kerr. The King sings, “Regrets, I’ve had a few,” lines that could be fitting for Kerr. Perhaps Safdie could have explored more the “animalistic” nature that Kerr refers to, the unrelenting testosterone coursing through his being.

Despite sporting a dramatically altered appearance under a short black wig, Johnson seizes this moment and tackles it head-on. It’s been quite some time since his collaboration with Michael Bay in Pain & Gain that he’s ventured this far out of his comfort zone. If the gossip mill is correct and he’s going to team up with Martin Scorsese for a crime thriller set in Hawaii, with Blunt and DiCaprio as co-stars, from a book Johnson himself co-wrote, then this certainly demonstrates his readiness to work with a genius. Here, he excels.

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2025-09-01 22:30