The Smashing Machine Review – Dwayne Johnson’s Best Dramatic Role Yet? A24’s UFC Biopic Breakdown
Released in theaters on October 3, 2025, by A24, The Smashing Machine (directed, written, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie) is a gritty, unflinching biographical sports drama that follows the real-life rise and fall of pioneering MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Premiering in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival (where it won the Silver Lion), the film stars Dwayne Johnson in what many critics hail as his most transformative and vulnerable performance to date. Co-starring Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples, with supporting roles from actual fighters like Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk, the 2-hour-3-minute R-rated feature explores obsession with greatness, brutal early UFC fights, opioid addiction, and a volatile relationship that nearly destroys everything.
The plot traces Kerr’s journey from undefeated dominance in the late 1990s (including his ground-and-pound style that earned him the “Smashing Machine” nickname) to devastating personal lows: mounting injuries, painkiller dependency, and emotional turmoil. It’s less a triumphant underdog story and more an anti-biopic—raw, observational, and deliberately downbeat, avoiding sports-movie clichés like inspirational montages or crowd-cheering comebacks. Instead, Safdie draws from the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, using a documentary-like style with handheld camerawork, grainy aesthetics, and a swirling jazz score by Nala Sinephro to create a fly-on-the-wall intimacy.
Performances: Johnson Delivers a Career-Best Turn
Dwayne Johnson sheds his usual invincible “The Rock” persona, undergoing a dramatic physical transformation (prosthetics, weight changes, and makeup to resemble Kerr) to portray a gentle giant who crushes opponents in the cage but crumbles outside it. Critics widely praise this as his best dramatic role yet—raw, emotional, and surprisingly vulnerable. Johnson taps into deep personal pain (drawing from his own childhood experiences) for scenes of despair, rage, and quiet tenderness, earning acclaim for proving he can “go the distance” as a serious actor.
Emily Blunt shines as Dawn, bringing depth to a volatile, codependent relationship filled with explosive arguments and heartbreaking intimacy. Supporting turns from real MMA figures like Ryan Bader add authenticity, grounding the film in the sport’s brutal reality.
Critical Reception: Praise for Performances, Mixed on Narrative
Reviews are generally positive, with a focus on Johnson’s breakout performance and Safdie’s bold direction:
- Rotten Tomatoes consensus: “Dwayne Johnson goes the distance with his transformative turn as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, a gritty biopic that sidesteps cliché even at the expense of narrative satisfaction while still landing the dramatic body blows that count.” (Fresh rating in the mid-to-high range.)
- Metacritic and aggregates: Mixed-to-positive, with praise for emotional depth but some criticism of repetitive domestic scenes and a lack of traditional payoff.
- Standout quotes: IndieWire calls it “nimbly executed and oddly endearing,” with Johnson revealing a “heartfelt core.” The Hollywood Reporter highlights the “gritty and downbeat” tone. RogerEbert.com notes it’s an “anti-biopic” that observes rather than inspires. Some reviews (like ScreenRant) call it a “total bust” for feeling hollow, but most agree Johnson’s work elevates it.
The film earned awards buzz, including Golden Globe nominations for Johnson (Best Actor – Drama) and Blunt (Best Supporting Actress), though box office was modest (around $21M worldwide against a high budget), making it more of a critical darling than a commercial smash.
Is It Dwayne Johnson’s Best Dramatic Role Yet?
Yes—for many, this is the performance that proves Johnson is a real actor beyond action blockbusters. He disappears into Kerr’s duality: a beast in the ring, a fragile man off it. The vulnerability in addiction and relationship scenes marks a turning point, potentially opening doors for more serious roles. If you’re skeptical of “The Rock” in drama, this could change your mind—it’s raw, unflinching, and deeply moving.
For MMA fans, it’s one of the best depictions of the sport’s early wild days. For everyone else, it’s a character study about fame’s toll, addiction, and redemption. Not a feel-good sports movie, but a powerful one.
Where to watch The Smashing Machine (as of January 2026):
The film is now available on streaming after its theatrical run.
- Stream on HBO Max (late January 2026 release confirmed; check current availability).
- Rent or buy digitally:
- Fandango at Home (Vudu) – Digital rental/purchase options.
- Amazon Prime Video – Rent or buy.
- Apple TV – Available for rent/buy.
For the latest showtimes or streaming updates, check JustWatch or the official A24 site.
What do you think—does Johnson’s dramatic turn live up to the hype? Planning to watch? Share in the comments!
