The Wasteland Reviewer

The Smashing Machine (2025) Written Review

What is Dwayne Johnson’s legacy as an actor at this point in his career? If you look at the internet, you will see endless memes of Johnson wearing the same safari outfit in four different films. You have films like Red Notice that are just giant budgeted films without heart or soul. Many folks don’t see Johnson as more than an action star who does wander too far from his limited comfort zone. There are other wrestlers-turned-actors who have lapped Johnson in terms of success of acting ability (like Dave Baustista and John Cena). But it would appear Johnson is ready to move on past that period in career and really challenge himself as an actor in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. 

How does Johnson (and the rest of the cast) stand out in this new mixed martial arts sports biopic? Johnson is in the starring role as UFC legend Mark Kerr. Soft-spoken, powerful, and driven, Kerr is a man who has plenty of contradictions. Johnson disappears into the role of Kerr through prosthetics. Johnson looks like himself…except slightly off. But from a character perspective, Johnson feels authentic in his presence. You feel the behemoth stature of Kerr (even though Johnson is inches taller and dozens of pounds heavier than the real Kerr) as well as a tenderness. Johnson pitches his voice up and embodies the soft-spoken nature of Kerr. There is an explosive rage inside Kerr and Johnson feels so natural with those shifts in rage and power. Whenever the film shifts into the MMA sequences, Johnson truly shines as he feels most natural in those physical scenes. But Johnson is not alone in the cast with Emily Blunt portraying Kerr’s partner, Dawn. Blunt feels so natural as this beautiful yet troubled woman. Their chemistry is impressive in all aspects, ranging from their intense physical connection to the uncomfortable moments of their toxic dynamic overtaking them both. Real fighter Ryan Bader feels a bit awkward in his performance but the naturalistic and authentic approach he has in portraying Mark Coleman works well for the film. 

What does Safdie do to bring his voice to this biopic? The Safdie Brothers have always been known for their intense and visceral approach to filmmaking. Uncut Gems and Good Times are quite impressive, and you can feel bits of that here with The Smashing Machine. From the opening scene, we witness a vintage style video of Kerr in his first fight that feels like it was ripped out of the 80s or 90s. Safdie takes a docudrama approach to the visuals with cinematographer Maceo Bishop delivering an engaging and visceral experience. The audience feel like we are there with Kerr through all his fights both inside the ring and outside of it. The music is intense and helps elevate the suspenseful elements of the film, courtesy of composer Nala Sinephro. The fight scenes in the film are intense and well-choreographed delivering authentic and brutal action with some top-notch sound design as well. The film does feel a bit too melodramatic at times (which might be more on the writing and staging) but there are some tender moments in Safdie’s film as well. You don’t get a lot of opportunities in film today to see non-toxic and tender male relationships. Safdie makes those connections feel so authentic and poignant along the way. 

Where does The Smashing Machine come up a bit short? Writing is certainly the weakest element of the film. When you look at the story, there are plenty of familiar elements drawn from the many sports biopics out there. This film is not going to surprise you from a narrative perspective as it leans into all those familiar beats with combat sport films (like boxing). There are also a lot of expected elements that occur between Kerr and Dawn that feel like they are ripped from many other toxic romances. But there are a few moments that still hit hard (elevated by the filmmaking around them). The dialogue in the film is certainly not one of its strengths either. The best layer of writing in the film is the dynamics between the men. These tender and meaningful friendships and mentorships give the film an added level of identity that usually get ignored in films like this. The story is still inspiring and moving, overall, even if many of the steps to get there are familiar. 

Is The Smashing Machine the awards darling that both Safdie and Johnson were hoping for? Not quite. This is a visceral and impactful docudrama for sure. The score and soundtrack give the film plenty of energy and entertainment value. The fighting sequences and male friendships certainly deepen the film quite a bit. Johnson and Blunt both came to play with their performances. A safe and overly familiar script holds Safdie’s film back from excellence.