The Smashing Machine (Non-Spoiler) Review

When I first heard that Dwayne Johnson was going full MMA biopic, I almost checked if my calendar had warped back to 2010’s The Wrestler era. But then I saw the director’s name — Benny Safdie — and thought, “Okay, this might be weird in a good way.”

Overview

The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. It tells the story of real-life MMA champion Mark Kerr, charting his rise through the late 1990s and his private battles with addiction, fame, and identity. Dwayne Johnson stars as Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, his partner whose patience and compassion face constant tests.

Plot and Direction

Safdie sidesteps the predictable sports biopic structure. Instead of celebrating victories, he explores what happens after them — when the cheering fades and the bruises remain. The film immerses us in Kerr’s volatile mix of professional glory and personal struggle. Safdie’s direction favors intimacy over spectacle, letting moments of vulnerability linger longer than punches. It’s less about the octagon and more about what’s left outside it.

Performance of Dwayne Johnson & Supporting Cast

Dwayne Johnson delivers one of his most disciplined performances to date. Gone is the megawatt grin and superhero swagger; in their place, a subdued, inwardly tormented fighter. He plays Kerr as a man constantly at war with his own body — both its strength and its fragility. It’s a strikingly grounded turn that could reshape how audiences see him.

Emily Blunt provides a necessary counterbalance as Dawn Staples. She’s more than emotional support — she’s the moral compass that keeps Kerr from collapsing entirely. Their chemistry is weary but real, shaped by fatigue and affection in equal measure. Supporting appearances from Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk add credibility to the film’s MMA backdrop without distracting from the central story.

Themes and Tone

At its core, The Smashing Machine wrestles with what strength really means — and whether the drive to dominate can coexist with the need for peace. Safdie paints Kerr not as a cautionary tale, but as a man caught between survival and self-destruction. The film doesn’t glamorize the sport or its violence; instead, it studies the toll of becoming a human weapon and the loneliness that follows.

Cinematography, Editing & Technicalities

Cinematography by Darius Khondji (a frequent Safdie collaborator) brings the intensity of the fight world into focus without losing its humanity. The lens doesn’t glamorize the violence — it documents it. Every bruise, every bead of sweat is captured with unflinching realism. Safdie’s editing is sharp yet patient, giving emotional beats room to breathe between the chaos. The result is a film that feels immediate and tactile, but never sensational.

What Works / What Doesn’t

What works:

• Dwayne Johnson’s unexpectedly raw, career-defining performance.

• Safdie’s direction, which turns a sports biopic into a psychological character study.

• The grounded visual style and authentic portrayal of the MMA world.

What doesn’t always land:

• Some supporting characters orbit Kerr without full development.

• The pacing occasionally dips in the middle act, as introspection overtakes momentum.

Final Verdict

The Smashing Machine is a bruising yet deeply human portrait of a man undone by his own strength. Dwayne Johnson sheds every trace of his blockbuster persona, delivering a performance marked by restraint and raw vulnerability, while Benny Safdie directs with unflinching focus, balancing violence and quiet despair in equal measure.

Verdict: A tense, compassionate, and unvarnished look at the cost of survival — elevated by Johnson’s most disciplined work and Safdie’s relentless honesty.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 / 5)