The Smashing Machine Review: Dwayne Johnson's Transformation in Mark Kerr's Biopic

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The latest sports drama biopic, The Smashing Machine, is set to rock the big screen with the true story of Mark Kerr, a prominent figure in the UFC world in the 1990s.

Directed, written, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie, the film marks his first solo directorial effort, following the success of films like "Good Time" and "Uncut Gems" with his brother.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars as Mark Kerr, a former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter facing various personal challenges, with Emily Blunt playing Kerr's then-wife, Dawn Staples.

The film debuted at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion, the festival's highest award.

The Smashing Machine is directed by Benny Safdie, marking his first solo project as a movie director.

The film explores the life of Mark Kerr, a wrestler and MMA fighter known as "The Smashing Machine" during the UFC's golden era.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson takes on the role of Mark Kerr, showcasing a different side of his acting from his usual blockbuster action roles.

His performance has been called "transformational" and "a career-best performance" by early critics.

Emily Blunt also joins the cast as Dawn Staples, Kerr's wife, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk rounding out the supporting cast.

The film is set between 1997 and 2000, depicting Kerr's time as an undefeated professional UFC star.

However, despite his success, he faced financial difficulties and frequently traveled to Japan for tournaments.

The Smashing Machine premiered in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025.

The premiere received rave reviews, including a moving 15-minute standing ovation for Dwayne Johnson and Benny Safdie.

The film is also scheduled to screen at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, 2025.

For general release, The Smashing Machine will open in theaters in the United States and Canada on October 3, 2025.

The film is being distributed by A24, a production company known for its high-quality and bold films.

Principal photography took place from May 21 to August 7, 2024.

Filming locations included locations in New Mexico, Tokyo, and Vancouver.

‘THE SMASHING MACHINE’ debuts with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.Described as having a spectacular career-best performance from Dwayne Johnson.Read our review: https://t.co/ejtQIs1Usz pic.twitter.com/mYlj9ZVrVf

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 1, 2025

Early reviews for The Smashing Machine have been highly complimentary of Dwayne Johnson's performance as Mark Kerr.

Many critics agree that it's the most raw, vulnerable, and transformative performance of his career, a far cry from his usual "The Rock" image.

At the time of writing, Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an 88% rating.

In addition to a standing ovation at Venice, the film has been described as "darker and more intimate" than the typical sports film.

Benny Safdie chose to focus on the internal struggle of a fighter learning how to cope with defeat, rather than simply winning, providing a different perspective from the clichéd narratives of sports films.

The Smashing Machine deliberately avoids genre clichés like over-the-top training montages or dramatic title fights.

Instead, the film delves into Kerr's personal struggles, including his turbulent relationships and opioid addiction.