The Smashing Machine Review: Dwayne Johnson’s Most Powerful Performance Yet

In a career-defining performance, Dwayne Johnson steps away from his action-hero image to embody Kerr with rare vulnerability. His portrayal captures the fighter’s inner demons, his painful fight against addiction, and the turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt).

This is not just a sports movie about victories and defeats. Safdie crafts an intimate, raw drama that feels closer to “The Wrestler” than a typical inspirational biopic. The real fight happens outside the octagon — between Kerr’s public image as an unstoppable machine and the fragile man hidden underneath.

With intense drama, layered performances, and Safdie’s sharp direction, “The Smashing Machine” is less about smashing opponents and more about breaking down walls within oneself. It’s a moving story of pain, identity, and redemption that redefines what a sports biopic can be.

The Smashing Machine: Dwayne Johnson Delivers a Stunning Transformation

Benny Safdie makes his solo directorial debut with “The Smashing Machine”, a powerful biopic about MMA legend Mark Kerr. Known as one of the fiercest UFC fighters of the late 1990s, Kerr was not only a dominant force in the ring but also a man battling deep personal struggles.