Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine reimagines the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a way that reframes his life beyond punches and wins. Starring Dwayne Johnson as the legendary fighter, we understand Kerr as a man under immense pressure to be perfect, not fail, and never lose. His life, identity, and career are always one step away from falling out beneath him as he drowns under the weight of addiction and fear. We follow Kerr during his rise in mixed martial arts and UFC fighting as he fights his personal battles with addiction, his identity and his shaky marriage to Dawn Staples, beautifully played by Emily Blunt.
There are so many elements that make this film stand out; Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr was an incredible display of range as he leans into Kerr’s humility and natural gentle nature. In some ways, this role was meant for him, as he is no stranger to public scrutiny and misunderstandings despite always maintaining a kind and delightful public persona. In this role, Johnson confronts the spectacle with honesty; greatness comes at a cost that will question if fame and legacy are worth family, the pain and toll on oneself. The other aspect of the film that I enjoyed was Safdie’s visual direction. The film is gorgeous to watch and has so much skill in how the fight scenes were shot.
It’s so exciting to see this part of Johnson’s genre pivot take off with a bang. Watching the film, I oscillated between awe and discomfort at how much Kerr put himself through and how tormented he was by his mind. In one of the final shots, we see Kerr’s long-time friend and trainer sitting alone after a huge achievement; his demeanour falls from euphoric joy to existential dread. I left the theatre with a new perspective on what is asked of athletes in favour of the spectacle and what is ignored for the thrill of that spectacle.
The Smashing Machine is playing at TIFF ’25. For more information, click here.
