A fight for redemption, inside and outside the ring.

The Smashing Machine is Benny Safdie’s (Uncut Gems)  latest, a visceral yet strangely meditative drama that plunges audiences into the turbulent life of real-life UFC champion Mark Kerr. Dwayne Johnson delivers a career-defining performance as Kerr, fully transformed under Oscar-winning prosthetics by Kazu Hiro (Darkest Hour), capturing a man whose dominance in the octagon contrasts with his private struggles.

Set in the late ’90s, The Smashing Machine tracks Mark Kerr’s rise in the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. He’s battling rivals, struggling with painkiller addiction, and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with his partner, Dawn (Emily Blunt). Dwayne Johnson is startlingly good, capturing Kerr’s intensity in the ring while showing glimpses of the man beneath the bravado.

One of the most affecting parts of the movie is Kerr’s friendship with fellow fighter Mark Coleman (played by Ryan Bader, making his acting debut). Their bond feels real, and a few quiet scenes between them often hit harder than the fight sequences. Blunt, meanwhile, brings life to Dawn, turning what could have been a standard supporting role into something messy, human, and interesting. Other familiar faces from the fighting world, like Bas Rutten and boxing champ Oleksandr Usyk, add authenticity without ever feeling like cameos.

The movie’s soundtrack is an odd but surprisingly effective mix, blending ambient jazz from Nala Sinephro with needle drops from Bruce Springsteen and The Alan Parsons Project. It creates a rhythm that keeps the film moving even in moments that are otherwise quiet or introspective.

At its heart, The Smashing Machine is less about fights and more about what’s going on inside Kerr’s head. It’s a portrait of a man wrestling with ego, addiction, and identity, and Johnson carries it with remarkable subtlety.

Did you know?

Johnson’s transformation into Kerr was helped by Oscar-winning prosthetics from Kazu Hiro, making him almost unrecognizable.

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