The Smashing Machine Movie Review (2025): A Brutal Sports Film with a Beating Heart

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩ (3.5/5)
Directed by: Benny Safdie
Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader
Genre: Sports Drama / Biopic
Streaming on: To be announced

Introduction

With The Smashing Machine, filmmaker Benny Safdie steps into the MMA ring to tell the story of Mark Kerr, one of the sport’s most fascinating and self-destructive champions. Starring Dwayne Johnson in one of his most transformative performances yet, the film is both a gripping sports drama and a haunting character study that digs deep into the mind of a man torn between glory and self-destruction.

A Story of Power, Pain, and Personal Chaos

The film opens with an adrenaline-charged montage — Mark Kerr, nicknamed The Smashing Machine, pulverizing opponents in the ring. His ferocity is unmatched, his reputation legendary. Yet, behind this “250-pound monster,” lies a fragile man addicted to victory, validation, and control.

When Kerr tells his wife Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt) that winning gives him an “orgasmic high”, we begin to understand the complexity of his psyche. His obsession with dominance doesn’t end in the ring — it seeps into his marriage, turning love into a battlefield of its own.

Safdie’s direction ensures that Kerr’s victories feel hollow, and his defeats, devastating.

Marriage and Madness: The Emotional Knockout

Much like Raging Bull, The Smashing Machine juxtaposes a fighter’s public triumphs with his private breakdowns. But unlike Jake LaMotta’s blind rage, Kerr’s personal failures directly sabotage his performance.
Every argument with his wife chips away at his focus, exposing the vulnerability beneath his monstrous exterior.

Safdie smartly avoids clichés. Both Kerr and Dawn are given equal emotional footing — their love, resentment, and misunderstandings unfold with painful honesty. When Dawn lashes out about his neglect, it’s not villainy, it’s desperation. And when Kerr punches a wall in rage, it’s not just testosterone — it’s heartbreak.

The film never tells you who’s right; it simply shows you why both are broken.

Benny Safdie’s Direction and Writing: Precision Meets Pain

Director Benny Safdie (known for Uncut Gems) crafts another emotionally volatile world — this time swapping jewel heists for blood, sweat, and cage fights. As both writer and editor, Safdie gives the film its relentless rhythm, cutting between high-octane fights and painfully quiet domestic moments.

His storytelling is brutally honest and deeply human, portraying Kerr not just as a fighter, but as a man incapable of balancing fame and affection.

Dwayne Johnson’s Career-Best Performance

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson completely disappears into the role of Mark Kerr. Gone are the superhero muscles and movie-star charisma — here, he’s unrecognizable, vulnerable, and raw.

His transformation is not just physical (he reportedly gained significant weight to look authentic) — it’s emotional. From scenes of quiet reflection to explosive outbursts, Johnson gives a performance that’s unflinching and painfully real.

It’s safe to say this is the best performance of his career — one that may finally earn him the critical recognition he’s long deserved.

Supporting Cast: Blunt and Bader Hold Their Ground

Emily Blunt brings emotional weight to Dawn Staples, portraying a woman crushed between love and exhaustion. Her chemistry with Johnson makes every argument and reconciliation feel lived-in.
Ryan Bader, as Kerr’s friend and fellow fighter Mark Coleman, adds a subtle layer of loyalty and redemption to the story.

Cinematic Craft: Sound, Editing, and Emotion

The sound design amplifies every punch, grunt, and breath, immersing viewers into the brutal rhythm of MMA. Safdie’s editing is sharp and visceral — the transitions between the ring and Kerr’s home life feel seamless, mirroring how both worlds collide and consume him.

The cinematography captures the sweat-soaked chaos of the octagon while finding intimacy in dimly lit, quiet moments between husband and wife.

Flaws That Barely Hurt the Impact

If there’s one misstep, it’s in the final act, where the film briefly loses its emotional grip. The ending — featuring a real-life cameo by the actual Mark Kerr — slightly undercuts the power of Johnson’s performance. Safdie’s choice to spell out Kerr’s legacy through on-screen text also feels unnecessary, given how vividly the film already conveys his life’s contradictions.

Verdict: The Rock’s Most Human Role Yet

The Smashing Machine isn’t just about MMA — it’s about masculinity, love, and the price of obsession. Benny Safdie delivers a film that’s gritty, thoughtful, and emotionally pulverizing. Dwayne Johnson’s performance turns this sports drama into something far more personal — a mirror reflecting the fight we all wage between success and self-destruction.

⭐ Final Rating: 3.5 / 5

Watch it for:

• Dwayne Johnson’s transformative performance

• Benny Safdie’s intense direction

• A deeply emotional and brutally honest portrayal of a fighter’s life

Skip it if:

• You’re expecting a traditional sports underdog story or a feel-good ending