In “The Smashing Machine,” opening today from A24, Dwayne Johnson delivers the most dramatic performance of his career, embodying UFC legend Mark Kerr. Known for blazing a trail in mixed martial arts while privately battling substance abuse and a volatile romance, Kerr is brought to life with raw vulnerability. Opposite Johnson is Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, in a role far removed from her usual turns. Together, they portray a couple whose insecurities and addictions often push them to the breaking point.
Eric Zachanowich courtesy of A24.
As Kerr climbs the ranks with brutal efficiency, his rapid success brings fame and money—but also an escalating dependence on painkillers to mask both physical and emotional wounds. When a crucial fight unravels, his worst fears catch up with him, sending his carefully constructed world crashing down.
Some of Kerr’s fiercest battles take place not in the octagon but at home. His fragile relationship with Dawn reveals the weight of unmet needs and miscommunication. Their connection is genuine, yet they seem unable to find the balance that could save them.
Johnson’s Kerr is no caricature of a fighter. He’s portrayed as a soft-spoken, almost gentle giant whose most redemptive moments come through friendship. His bond with trainer and fellow fighter Mark Coleman (played by Ryan Bader) shines as one of the film’s emotional anchors—an honest portrayal of loyalty, truth-telling, and encouragement in the face of repeated setbacks.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity,” says the Proverb in 17:17. Standing over Kerr’s hospital bed, Coleman seems to embody that verse, even though the final moments of the story.
Director Benny Safdie opts for a stripped-down, shaky, almost documentary style. The choice strips away Hollywood polish and heightens the film’s unvarnished honesty, a far cry from Johnson’s blockbuster persona. The result is a story that feels lived-in, gritty, and emotionally urgent.
“The Smashing Machine” earns its R rating with graphic depictions of addiction, in-ring violence, and frequent profanity, but the film’s beating heart lies elsewhere—in its exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the toll of chasing greatness at any cost.
“The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, and Bas Yudden, releases today from A24.
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