The Smashing Machine Movie Review

The Smashing Machine (2025)

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Written by: Benny Safdie
Directed by: Benny Safdie
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten
Rated: R
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Plot
Legendary MMA champion Mark Kerr experienced a turbulent personal life hidden behind his success in the brutal, early days of UFC.

Verdict
This only captures a few fights in Kerr's career. While I appreciate the focus, this is only a glimpse at his personal struggles between devastating losses. Johnson's performance draws a lot of interest. part of that is the extensive prosthetics, but the character is counter to the typical charismatic type he plays. Unfortunately the story isn't much more than a series of fights. This seems more like some kind of tribute.
Skip It.

Review
Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) is this dominant wrestler. We see him win a match while in a voice over interview he talks about going after his opponents, the adrenaline rush of fighting, and how great it feels to win. While he's aggressive, after the fight he checks in on his opponents. He seems to care, and there's a distinct difference in his in the ring and outside personality.

Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr

Part of this movie is trying to see Johnson under the prosthetics. For this role, he had to do something. He's so recognizable as "The Rock." Actors often get praise for prosthetic based transformations, but this is a much different role for Johnson. It proves he does have some range, as he usually plays some version of a very charismatic character. He also bulked thirty pounds for the role.

Kerr is an influential fighter in the UFC and similar leagues. He's never lost. Preparing for a big fight in Japan, an interviewer asks him how he'd respond to a loss. Kerr doesn't know how to answer. It's never happened... until now. The other fighter did violate the rules, but this is his first loss and it hurts, especially since he was waiting for the ref to call the violation. Even with the reversal of the loss, he has a hard time with it. It doesn't help that he's addicted to pain killers. While he's so friendly in public, he takes his frustrations out on his girlfriend privately. He's at the top of his game, but the work takes a toll. It's easy to see how he fell into pain killers with what happens in the ring. That addiction is why he was unprepared and lost.

Dwayne Johnson plays Mark Kerr

Kerr goes to rehab, but his girlfriend isn't good for him. He's just sober, and she's out drinking. Neither can see the other's perspective. Trying to break bad habits, Kerr begins training with Bas Rutten. He's in great shape for the Grand Prix 2000 that will crown the best fighter in the world.

Not as much happens as I expected, though I appreciate this isn't some outline of Mark Kerr's life. All the promise in the world and Kerr can't find success. Personal problems plague him, affecting him in the ring. We see just a glimpse of his career, but he fought for nine years after the events depicted in the movie. He was a pioneer in the sport before it became widespread.