{"id":10949,"date":"2025-10-03T13:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T17:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/?p=10949"},"modified":"2025-10-03T13:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T17:38:24","slug":"review-dwayne-johnson-wrestles-fear-in-smashing-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/reelfaith\/2025\/10\/review-dwayne-johnson-wrestles-fear-in-smashing-machine.html","title":{"rendered":"Review: Dwayne Johnson Wrestles Fear in ‘Smashing Machine’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

In \u201cThe Smashing Machine,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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Dwayne Johnson stars in \u201cThe Smashing Machine.\u201d Image by
Eric Zachanowich courtesy of A24.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As Kerr climbs the ranks with brutal efficiency, his rapid success brings fame and money\u2014but 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.<\/p>\n

Some of Kerr\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Johnson\u2019s Kerr is no caricature of a fighter. He\u2019s 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\u2019s emotional anchors\u2014an honest portrayal of loyalty, truth-telling, and encouragement in the face of repeated setbacks.<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity,\u201d says the Proverb in 17:17. Standing over Kerr\u2019s hospital bed, Coleman seems to embody that verse, even though the final moments of the story.<\/p>\n

Director Benny Safdie opts for a stripped-down, shaky, almost documentary style. The choice strips away Hollywood polish and heightens the film\u2019s unvarnished honesty, a far cry from Johnson\u2019s blockbuster persona. The result is a story that feels lived-in, gritty, and emotionally urgent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Smashing Machine\u201d earns its R rating with graphic depictions of addiction, in-ring violence, and frequent profanity, but the film\u2019s beating heart lies elsewhere\u2014in its exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the toll of chasing greatness at any cost.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Smashing Machine,\u201d directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, and Bas Yudden, releases today from A24.<\/p>\n