Review: The Smashing Machine (2025)

I might dig this more than most, but I thought THE SMASHING MACHINE was pretty great in the way it forensically and painstakingly examines the notion of fragile masculinity, emotional weaknesses of men and women in competitive sport, and whether “winning” is really important. 

Director Benny Safdie breaks away from his brother Josh (he directs MARTY SUPREME which comes out in December) to tackle the story of UFC pioneer Mark Kerr as he traverses his life inside and outside the ring in the late 90s. 

The headline of this movie has been, and will continue to be, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. After Johnson’s quite poor career over the last fifteen years, it’s refreshing to see him tackle some serious subject matter with so much commitment that absolutely pays off. Johnson truly dives into the role of Kerr and delivers a performance that is raw and vulnerable yet also understated. Matching his energy is Emily Blunt as Kerr’s wife, Dawn, who is equally raw and vulnerable - I’ve never quite seen Blunt in this way, and it’s quite a performance.

Behind the camera, Safdie shows that he’s confident in directing fight sequences and classic sport montages that you may be familiar with by now in this genre, but I think that there’s more here than meets the eye. The classical jazz-like score by Nala Sinephro SHOULD be jarring and SHOULDN’T fit, but it does by adding to the overall sweetness of the movie.

More WARRIOR than SOUTHPAW, Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE is a pretty solid success bolstered by two incredible performances. I’m not sure the story of Mark Kerr is all that compelling, but in Safdie’s hands it’s well told.

4/5.