The Smashing Machine hit theaters this weekend, marking a bold step for Dwayne Johnson in a film that's already stirring buzz. Directed by Benny Safdie in his solo outing after the Safdie brothers' split, the movie dives into the brutal world of mixed martial arts through the lens of UFC pioneer Mark Kerr. Johnson, shedding his blockbuster sheen, embodies Kerr with a raw intensity that critics are calling a career pivot. It's out now from A24, following a splashy premiere at the Venice Film Festival last month where it snagged the Silver Lion for Safdie's direction.
Indeed, the story traces Kerr's rise in the late '90s MMA scene, his dominance in the ring clashing with personal demons like addiction and a rocky romance. Emily Blunt co-stars as Dawn Staples, Kerr's steadfast girlfriend, bringing a grounded warmth to the chaos. Supporting roles go to actual fighters like Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten, adding authenticity to the cage fights that feel visceral on screen. However, Safdie's script, adapted from a 2002 documentary, doesn't shy away from the sport's underbelly—the pain, the pills, the fleeting glory. Johnson's transformation stands out; at 53, he's bulked up but vulnerable, a far cry from his Fast & Furious heroics.
Reviews have poured in mostly positive, with a 7.2 IMDb rating and Rotten Tomatoes hovering around fresh territory. Vulture praised Johnson as "the best thing" in the film, though some, like Roger Ebert's site, noted its deliberate push away from typical sports movie uplift. Moreover, the Venice crowd gave it a standing ovation, signaling Safdie's indie cred translating to bigger canvases. Yet, there's a subtle critique in how the film lingers on Kerr's isolation, almost too uncomfortably, making viewers squirm rather than cheer.
However, not everything lands perfectly; the pacing drags in non-fight scenes, testing patience amid the 123-minute runtime. Still, for Johnson fans eyeing his Oscar whispers—this could be it. As the credits roll on Kerr's tumultuous legacy, one can't help but ponder the real cost of chasing immortality in the octagon.