Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine stands as a remarkable achievement in sports cinema, transcending the familiar beats of the fighter biopic genre to deliver something far more profound and emotionally devastating. This is not merely another tale of athletic triumph and redemption, but a raw, unflinching examination of masculinity, addiction, and the brutal cost of pursuing greatness in America’s most unforgiving sport.
The Smashing Machine: A career defining performance by Dwayne Johnson
At the heart of this biographical drama lies Dwayne Johnson’s transformative portrayal of Mark Kerr, the legendary mixed martial arts pioneer known as “The Smashing Machine.” Johnson, aided by remarkable prosthetics from Kazu Hiru, completely disappears into the role, delivering what critics universally acknowledge as the finest performance of his career. The physical transformation is striking, with Johnson gaining 30 pounds and sporting facial prosthetics that render him nearly unrecognizable. More importantly, he strips away every trace of his charismatic “Rock” persona to reveal a vulnerable, deeply troubled man whose strength in the ring cannot save him from the demons he faces outside it.
The film captures Kerr during the pivotal years of 1997-2000, chronicling his rise as one of the early stars of mixed martial arts before the sport became the billion-dollar enterprise it is today. Johnson’s Kerr emerges as a sympathetic figure even as his own questionable decisions pave the way for his downfall, embodying a man who can physically impose his will on any opponent but remains powerless against his addiction to painkillers.
Emily Blunt delivers an equally compelling performance as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s volatile girlfriend whose own struggles with alcoholism mirror and complicate his battle with substance abuse. Their relationship forms the emotional core of the film, with Safdie presenting their dynamic as a study in codependency and mutual destruction. Blunt brings nuance to what could have been a thankless role, portraying Dawn not as a mere obstacle to Kerr’s recovery but as a woman fighting her own battles while watching the man she loves self-destruct.
The chemistry between Johnson and Blunt crackles with authentic tension, making their arguments feel devastatingly real and their tender moments all the more precious for their fragility. Their relationship scenes have been praised as some of the most credible and nerve-wracking couple disagreements captured on film.
The Smashing Machine: Story, Direction and Music
Working solo for the first time after his acclaimed collaborations with brother Josh on “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time,” Benny Safdie demonstrates a masterful command of cinematic language that earned him the Silver Lion for Best Director at the Venice Film Festival. His approach to “The Smashing Machine” is deliberately unconventional, employing multiple film formats to create a unique visual experience that reflects Kerr’s psychological journey.
The film opens with grainy VHS footage that feels authentically documentary-like, then transitions to intimate 16mm cinematography for the emotional character moments, before expanding to the hyperrealistic clarity of 65mm film for key sequences. This technical approach serves the narrative beautifully, creating what Johnson describes as “a DNA to the film that you can feel” – a visceral authenticity that places viewers directly in Kerr’s world.
The fight sequences themselves are filmed from the perspective of spectators just outside the ring, creating a sense of being ringside while maintaining an artistic distance that emphasizes the film’s focus on character over spectacle. The sound design deserves particular praise, with each punch and impact reverberating through the theater with bone-crushing authenticity.
One of the film’s most inspired choices is its use of free-jazz compositions, particularly Nala Sinephro’s ethereal soundtrack that provides an unexpected counterpoint to the brutal world of mixed martial arts. The decision to use upbeat jazz and almost trance-like psychedelic sounds during fight scenes creates a unique tonal quality that gives the violence a strange grace while reflecting the unpredictable nature of MMA itself. This musical approach helps distinguish “The Smashing Machine” from more conventional sports dramas, adding layers of sophistication to what could have been straightforward fight sequences.
The film’s production values are consistently impressive, from the authentic recreation of late 1990s MMA events to the detailed attention to period details. Principal photography spanned locations in New Mexico, Tokyo, and Vancouver, with the international settings adding authenticity to Kerr’s global fighting career. The makeup and hairstyling departments deserve particular recognition for their work in transforming Johnson, creating prosthetics that allow him to fully embody the character while still maintaining recognizability.
The editing, handled by Safdie himself, creates a rhythm that mirrors the psychological state of its protagonist – sometimes frenetic during moments of crisis, contemplative during periods of reflection, and always maintaining an intimate connection with Kerr’s internal journey.
Depiction of addiction and masculinity
Perhaps the film’s greatest strength lies in its unflinching portrayal of addiction and its devastating effects on both the addict and those who love them. Safdie refuses to romanticize Kerr’s struggles with painkillers, instead presenting addiction as a disease that strips away dignity, relationships, and ultimately threatens to destroy everything Kerr has worked to achieve. The film’s depiction of Kerr’s 1999 overdose is handled with particular sensitivity, showing the aftermath through Dawn’s perspective and focusing on the impact on those around him rather than exploiting the moment for dramatic effect.
The real Mark Kerr, who has been sober for seven years, has praised the film’s accuracy in capturing the shame and guilt he experienced during his lowest points. His presence at the Venice Film Festival premiere, where he was moved to tears during emotional scenes, validates Safdie’s commitment to honoring the truth of Kerr’s experience.
Beyond its surface as a sports biopic, “The Smashing Machine” functions as a meditation on modern masculinity and the price of vulnerability in a culture that valorizes strength above all else. Kerr’s story becomes a metaphor for countless men who struggle to reconcile their public personas with their private pain, using their physical prowess to mask emotional fragility.
The film’s exploration of these themes feels particularly relevant in contemporary discussions about mental health and addiction, presenting Kerr not as a cautionary tale but as a complex human being deserving of empathy and understanding. Safdie’s direction never judges his characters, instead allowing their actions to speak for themselves while maintaining a compassionate perspective on their struggles.
The Smashing Machine: Final verdict
The Smashing Machine stands as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of cinema when talented filmmakers and committed performers combine to tell deeply human stories. Benny Safdie has crafted a film that uses the world of mixed martial arts as a backdrop for exploring universal themes of love, addiction, redemption, and the courage required to confront our deepest fears.
Dwayne Johnson’s fearless performance anchors the film with surprising emotional depth, proving that beneath his action hero exterior lies a genuine actor capable of profound vulnerability. Emily Blunt provides equally strong support, creating a complex portrait of a woman caught between love and self-preservation.
The Smashing Machine demands patience from its audience, unfolding at a deliberate pace that prioritizes character development over action sequences. This approach may frustrate viewers expecting a more conventional sports drama, but those willing to engage with Safdie’s vision will find a richly rewarding experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
The film’s structure, following Kerr’s journey from triumph to near-destruction to tentative hope, avoids the typical beats of the sports movie formula. There are no rousing training montages or triumphant comeback victories – instead, Safdie presents a more realistic and ultimately more moving portrait of a man learning to live with his limitations while finding new sources of meaning beyond athletic achievement.
While the film’s commercial failure is unfortunate, “The Smashing Machine” deserves recognition as one of the year’s most accomplished dramas. It’s a movie that treats its subject matter with respect and intelligence, refusing to exploit either the violence of MMA or the tragedy of addiction for cheap thrills. Instead, Safdie has created a mature, thoughtful examination of what it means to be human in a world that often values strength over honesty, victory over vulnerability.
For viewers seeking substance over spectacle, character development over crowd-pleasing moments, “The Smashing Machine” delivers a knockout punch that resonates far beyond its final frame. It’s a reminder that the most powerful stories often come from the most unexpected places, and that true strength sometimes means admitting weakness. In an era of superhero dominance and franchise filmmaking, Safdie’s intimate character study feels like a breath of fresh air – challenging, uncompromising, and ultimately deeply moving.
The Smashing Machine movie rating – 8/10 stars