The highly anticipated The Smashing Machine finally lands in U.S. theaters today, October 3, 2025, courtesy of A24. Directed and written by Benny Safdie—yes, the indie darling behind Uncut Gems—this biographical sports drama dives deep into the turbulent life of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr. Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock, transforms into the hulking fighter, shedding his blockbuster sheen for something far more vulnerable. It's a bold pivot, one that has critics buzzing even before the wide release.
Indeed, the film traces Kerr's rise through the brutal world of mixed martial arts in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Based on a 2002 documentary of the same name, it captures his UFC championships, personal demons, and a grinding addiction to painkillers that nearly derailed everything. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr's wife, Dawn Staples, bringing emotional heft to the off-mat scenes. Safdie, making his solo directorial debut after splitting with brother Josh, handles the editing too, giving the movie a raw, handheld urgency that mirrors the chaos of the octagon.
However, the Venice International Film Festival premiere last month set the tone with a Silver Lion win, but not without mixed whispers. Johnson's performance stands out—unrecognizable under layers of prosthetics and a haunted gaze—yet some reviews fault the script for pulling punches on Kerr's darker edges. Rotten Tomatoes currently sits at a solid approval rating, with audiences praising the fight choreography involving real UFC vets like Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten. At 123 minutes, it's no quick knockout; Safdie lingers on the quiet defeats as much as the triumphs.
Moreover, this marks Johnson's most serious dramatic turn since Jumanji, and at 53, he's leaning hard into awards chatter. Blunt, fresh off her own accolades, adds layers to a story that's as much about love amid savagery as it is about the sport itself. Still, the film's gritty realism might test casual viewers expecting The Rock's usual charisma.
In a Hollywood landscape craving authenticity, The Smashing Machine asks whether glory in the cage comes at too steep a personal cost—leaving us to ponder the real toll of such relentless pursuits.