As The Smashing Machine gears up for its wide release tomorrow, October 3, the film has already sparked buzz from its Venice Film Festival premiere last month. Directed by Benny Safdie in his solo debut, the biographical drama dives into the turbulent life of MMA legend Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson. Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight champion, battled addiction and personal demons alongside his fighting career in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Safdie, known for his intense collaborations with brother Josh on films like Good Time, crafts a story that's less about glory in the ring and more about the quiet wreckage outside it.
Johnson, often typecast in blockbuster fare, delivers a performance that's raw and restrained—far from his usual charismatic swagger. He bulks up convincingly to portray Kerr's imposing frame, but it's the vulnerability in his eyes during scenes of relapse that lingers. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr's wife Dawn Staples, bringing a grounded warmth to their strained relationship. However, the film's pacing can feel uneven at times, meandering through Kerr's highs in the octagon and lows with heroin dependency. Indeed, Safdie draws from a 2002 documentary of the same name, updating it with a modern lens on mental health in combat sports.
Critics have praised the movie's authenticity, with real UFC fighters like Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten appearing in supporting roles. At Venice, it snagged the Silver Lion award, and early reviews hover around a solid 7.2 on IMDb, highlighting Safdie's shift from frenetic thrillers to this more introspective biopic. Moreover, the soundtrack by composer Nicolas Britell adds a haunting pulse to the violence, underscoring how Kerr's smashing machine moniker extended beyond the fights. Yet, some reviewers note it doesn't fully escape the clichés of sports dramas, opting instead for a hazy, almost dreamlike quality in its depiction of addiction.
However, what stands out is Johnson's commitment; he reportedly trained rigorously with Kerr himself for the role. The film clocks in at about two hours, blending brutal fight sequences with poignant domestic moments. As audiences prepare to see this side of The Rock, one wonders if Hollywood's action king has finally found his dramatic knockout.