The Smashing Machine: A Different Kind of Sports Biopic

Most sports movies try to draw you into the ring. The Smashing Machine does something different: it keeps you at a distance. Directed by Benny Safdie, this film about MMA fighter Mark Kerr doesn’t follow the usual emotional beats. Instead, it observes. What the Movie Covers • The story starts in the late 1990s, as Mark Kerr enters MMA tournaments in Brazil and later fights in Pride and early UFC competitions. • Kerr’s struggles outside the ring are central: addiction to painkillers, tensions in his relationship with Dawn (played by Emily Blunt), and the pressure of personal demons. • Supporting roles include real fighters and public figures, such as Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, Bas Rutten, and others, giving the film a semi-documentary feel. What Makes It Stand Apart • Safdie mostly films fights from outside the ring or from high angles, making the viewer feel like an outsider, not part of the action. • The movie uses pop/rock music and a jazzy score that frequently reminds you this is a film — the artifice is part of the style. • Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr is something new — heavy make-up, subtle performance, quiet in tone but intense in moments. • The film doesn’t lean into the usual training montages or heroic arcs. When it tries to hit emotional high points, some feel a bit hollow because the film has resisted the classic structure. Strengths & Weaknesses • On the plus side, the film is bold, original, and refuses to pander. Kerr’s life is messy, and the movie captures that. • But sometimes that restraint works against it — the absence of classic build-ups or narrative payoff can leave viewers wanting more. • The tension between Johnson’s star identity and his role as Kerr is exploited: the film knows you’ll make mental comparisons, and it uses that awareness. • In the later parts, when the story turns more conventional (fights, personal conflict), The Smashing Machine does lose some of its early flair. Final Thoughts The Smashing Machine by Safdie is not your typical sports biopic. It’s more contemplative than celebratory, more observational than immersive. For viewers who expect emotional catharsis or triumphant arcs, it may feel subdued. But for those willing to engage with its smart, artful approach — and with Dwayne Johnson stepping into a dramatically different role — it offers something fresh. Replace the usual adrenaline rush with reflection, and you get a film that stays with you differently.