★★★★☆ The Independent
★★★★☆ Empire
★★★☆ Roger Ebert
A fight for redemption, inside and outside the ring.
The Smashing MachineisBenny Safdie’s (Uncut Gems) latest, a visceral yet strangely meditative drama that plunges audiences into the turbulent life of real-life UFC champion Mark Kerr.Dwayne Johnson delivers a career-defining performance as Kerr, fully transformed under Oscar-winning prosthetics by Kazu Hiro (Darkest Hour), capturing a man whose dominance in the octagon contrasts with his private struggles.
Set in the late ’90s, The Smashing Machine tracks Mark Kerr’s rise in the chaotic early days of mixed martial arts. He’s battling rivals, struggling with painkiller addiction, and trying to navigate a complicated relationship with his partner, Dawn (Emily Blunt). Dwayne Johnson is startlingly good, capturing Kerr’s intensity in the ring while showing glimpses of the man beneath the bravado.
Starring:
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Emily Blunt
Directed By:
Benny Safdie
Running time:
123 mins