The Smashing Machine Review – A Flawed but Powerful Knockout

Ever since word first broke that The Smashing Machine could be Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s best performance yet, it immediately jumped onto our must-watch list. Johnson has long cemented himself as one of the most successful wrestlers-turned-movie stars, arguably the most successful of all time. His filmography has mostly leaned toward romcoms, comedies, and big-budget action flicks. This time, though, he takes a sharp detour into uncharted territory, delivering something unlike anything we’ve seen from him before.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama that tells the tragic rise and fall of mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, played by Johnson. The story zeroes in on the late 1990s, showcasing Kerr’s dominance in the ring, his subsequent struggles with opioid addiction, and his turbulent relationship with his wife, Dawn Staples (portrayed by Emily Blunt).

Interestingly, the film is a scripted adaptation of HBO’s 2002 documentary of the same name, which chronicled the same pivotal chapter in Kerr’s life. It’s another example of Hollywood leaning into the “true story” formula – a recipe that, when done well, often connects deeply with audiences.

The movie admittedly starts off slow, even with the fight scenes sprinkled in, and the pacing may test your patience at first. Some sequences feel oddly put together, almost disjointed, but as the narrative unfolds, the pieces begin to align, pulling you deeper into Kerr’s world.

For Johnson, this is arguably the most demanding role of his career. It required a massive physical transformation (he looks even more like a monster of an athlete than ever before), cosmetic alterations to his appearance, and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to push his emotional range further than we’ve seen from him. One scene in particular, where Johnson breaks down in tears, is a standout moment that reminds us he’s more than just muscle and charm.

While the film doesn’t fully live up to its potential, it’s uneven in parts and some key moments feel rushed, it does eventually win you over. By the end, it lands with an emotional punch that sticks.

The performances are where the film shines brightest. Johnson delivers a career-best turn, while Emily Blunt gives a powerful and layered performance as Kerr’s wife. Together, they bring real humanity to a story that could have easily been overshadowed by the brutality of the sport. Credit also goes to the casting team for putting together a lineup that feels authentic and compelling.

At its heart, The Smashing Machine is an ode to an underappreciated MMA pioneer. Kerr’s sacrifices, resilience, and raw humanity are on full display. He comes across as a kind, humble man who became an unstoppable force once the cage doors closed. It’s a story that not only inspires but also highlights just how much Kerr contributed to shaping modern MMA.

For Johnson, this role marks an important turning point. It elevates his career to new heights and shows he’s capable of far more than the blockbuster archetypes he’s known for. Here’s hoping this is the first of many roles that challenge him to dig deeper into his craft.

Verdict: Not perfect, but powerful where it counts. The Smashing Machine delivers Dwayne Johnson’s finest performance yet and pays fitting tribute to an MMA legend who deserves the spotlight.

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#Benny Safdie #Dwayne Johnson #Emily Blunt #Mark Kerr #The Smashing Machine

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Thabiso Moloi

With many, many years of PR, digital & influencer marketing work under his belt, Thabiso has worked on a great number of technology, business and consumer brands. In addition, he has become obsessed with most things under the sun including music, series, sports, movies etc which he now regularly writes about. You can find him on Twitter: @Thabz_14