The Smashing Machine is as brutal (and wonderful )as its title suggests.
Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine tells the story of Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson), one of the earliest names of the UFC. Having earned a reputation as an unbeatable force in the ring, Kerr himself was far from indestructible. Living in a toxicly co-dependent relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn (Emily Blunt), Kerr struggle with addiction and his own ego as he attempted to stay atop of the emerging world of fighting.
Obviously, the biggest talking point (both literally and figuratively) remains Johnson. Known from roles like Moana and the Fast and the Furious films, Johnson has stepped in way past his normal range here. Yes, he may look the part. And he certainly understands life in the ring.
But Smashing Machine isn’t Rocky. In fact, it’s closer to Marriage Story.
This isn’t a role that calls for bravado and charisma. As a matter of fact, Safdie ensures that it calls for the opposite. This is a role that demands the performer bare his soul and, amazingly, Johnson is up to the challenge.
As Kerr, Johnson strips away every layer of performer that we’ve seen from him so far in his career. He’s honest, emotional and, above all else, humble. Even at Kerr’s most self-absorbed, Johnson plays him with a raw authenticity that we have never seen in him as a performer. From his voice tenor to his personal demeanor, Johnson absolutely disappears into the role of Kerr. Make no mistake. This isn’t just ‘his best performance’. It’s genuinely one of the best performances of the year, period.
Though Johnson isn’t alone. In Smashing, Blunt’s work is equally brilliant. As Dawn, she counterbalances Johnson’s Mark with a fire that burns almost erratically. Oscillating between supportive spouse and toxic force, Dawn is shown here to be Mark’s Achilles heel. But Blunt never allows us to despise Dawn either. Instead, she presents her with compassionate fragility. Every scene that she’s in, Blunt feels fully present.
And, together they absolutely sparkle.
Having worked together on Jungle Cruise, the two stars do have a relationship before this (although no one is comparing the two films). As such, the trust exhibited between them onscreen is utterly remarkable. Whether they’re arguing or cuddling, the connection between them is palpable. (And the scene in the bathroom is gut-wrenching.) Even so, despite the heightened emotion of these characters, the two actors resist the urge to consistently turn the dial up to 11 on their performance. Yes, there are moments of escalation but every one of them feels earned.
It’s worth noting that Safdie chose to build his set in such a way so that Johnson and Blunt couldn’t see the cameras during filming. In doing so, their work feels a little closer to reality. But that’s also the magic of Smashing Machine.
This is a sports movie that isn’t a sports movie.
Instead, Safdie has woven a piece that taps into the depths of co-dependant relationships and the struggles of the male ego. Here, Kerr is a man who genuinely believes that he’ll never experience loss. Yet, within his personal life, he constantly finds himself looking to maintain that high of victory. Sacrificing his health and well-being for the sake of maintaining his perfect record, he will do anything at hide from the frailty within himself that he fears so deeply.
Mark Kerr is a broken man. But winning makes him feel whole.
One of the best images that Safdie uses as a metaphor is the Japanese art of kintsugi. In this practice, a broken bowl is reassembled by attaching the pieces with gold. As the bowl is rebuilt, the belief is that the item’s repair contains its history, creating something more stunning on the other side of shattering. This motif is used for both Mark and Dawn in different ways, ranging from their relationship to their personal goals. These are both two broken people who need help coming back together as a couple and as individuals, even if they’re afraid to admit that about themselves. However, there’s beauty that can be found in the healing of their scars.
It’s ideas like this that make The Smashing Machine such an utterly remarkable achievement. Safdie manages to find the very best in Johnson and Blunt and, in doing so, creating one of the year’s most compelling dramas. This isn’t a film about fighting the opponent; it’s about fighting with ourselves. And that makes the film utterly Smashing.
The Smashing Machine is available in theatres on Friday, October 3rd, 2025.
