WRITER & DIRECTOR
Benny Safdie
Uncut Gems, Good Time, Heaven Knows What

STARS
Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten

What do you get when you combine first-time solo director Benny Safdie without brother Josh and an almost unrecognisable Dwayne Johnson with hair in his first genuinely dramatic and non-action lead role? 

A smashing film that could very well be next year’s Oscar’s wrecking ball, that’s what! 

Dwayne Johnson is all but set to make his decisive mark at the upcoming awards season playing Mark Kerr, a mixed-martial arts and UFC (Ultimate fighting championship) champion, a role that is the perfect fit for him and he is the perfect fit for.

The Smashing Machine is not an entire life biopic of the real-life Mark Kerr. Rather, writer and director Benny Safdie hones his focus over three life-changing and career-defining years starting with Mark’s first fight in São Paulo, Brazil, 1997. Touted to be the best the sport has even seen, Mark’s debut inside the ring gets off to an emphatically victorious start and gives him a taste of that addictive winning feeling. But as his career starts to soar, some personal battles happening away from public view arise.

Many sports drama films have come before it, but The Smashing Machine immediately slots itself right up there among the better ones and is proving to be a smash-hit with audiences around the world. One of the most evident reasons for this is also one of its greatest strengths, the winning formula of being full of heart and possessing the brains to match its mighty brawn, resulting in a genuine genre success. The plentiful fight sequences are excellently staged and firmly supported by the psychological aspect of Mark Kerr’s journey over these three years in his chosen sport. What is especially worth noting is the outstanding character development in establishing and depicting Mark’s volatile relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn (played by Emily Blunt). The analysis of their dynamic, needs and triggers is articulated with great clarity despite their intrinsic complexities. There is a lingering tension omnipresent between the two that is ignited each time Mark feels Dawn’s interference and Dawn feels shut out and distant to him, yet the care and love they maintain for one another is equally palpable. Credit for this accomplishment must also be attributed to Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt’s stellar performances. While I do commend the writing for how it establishes Mark Kerr’s personal battles and his relationship to Dawn, my only critique is its lack of transparency and how selective it chooses to be in detailing the “warts” aspect of being “warts and all”. I hold this film in high regard but would certainly have greater appreciation for it had this crucial component of the writing shown more accountability than I believe it does. 

The Smashing Machine, a title derived from a 2002 documentary that chronicled Mark’s training and competing, might just fall short of being hailed a total knockout but is often tremendous and triumphant. Its Silver Lion win and 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival is surely only the beginning of nominations galore coming its way this awards season. Namely, in acting fields and almost certainly in production. The camerawork, with the majority of the film being shot on 16mm film that also uses IMAX film throughout, is stunning, as is the immersive and atmospheric music score. 

Highly recommended.

The Smashing Machine is showing in cinemas across Australia from October 2nd, 2025.

Moviedoc thanks VVS Films and Nixco for the invitation to the screening of this film. 

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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