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The Smashing Machine
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02:30
The Smashing Machine
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- 2025
- Benny Safdie
- 122 mins
- 15
Summary
The true story of legendary mixed martial arts and UFC fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson), whose obsession with greatness made him a legend and nearly cost him everything. A portrait about ambition, sacrifice and the courage to fight for something greater than victory
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Review
A star rating of 3 out of 5.
James Mottram
In a role not so far removed from his own experience as a one-time WWE wrestler, Dwayne Johnson gives a fine performance as real-life UFC competitor Mark Kerr in this sports-themed drama. Set between 1997 and 2000, Ultimate Fighting Championship - a bruising mixed martial arts combat sport - is taking off with the undefeated wrestler Kerr among its leading lights. But as his addiction to painkilling opioids takes hold and arguments flare with girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt), his world begins to fall apart. Winner of the best director award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, Benny Safdie (co-director of Uncut Gems) strives for realism rather than triumphalism here. Authenticity is furthered by casting folk from the real UFC world, including the excellent Ryan Bader as Kerr's friend/trainer Mark Coleman. While a spray-tanned Blunt and a wig-wearing Johnson are great, the low-key narrative never quite hits the dramatic heights, perhaps because Kerr's own story isn't exactly filled with fist-pumping moments. Sometimes too on-the-nose, it's nevertheless a bold look at a misunderstood sport.
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6.3/10
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Credits
Cast
rolenameMark KerrDwayne JohnsonDawn StaplesEmily BluntMark ColemanRyan BaderBas RuttenBas RuttenIgor VovchanchynOleksandr UsykElizabeth ColemanLyndsey GavinEnson InoueSatoshi Ishii
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Crew
rolenameDirectorBenny Safdie
Details
Theatrical distributor
Entertainment Film Distributors
Released on
2025-10-03
Languages
English | Japanese
Guidance
Violence, swearing, drug abuse
Formats
Colour
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