8.6/10 – IMDb and 82% – Rotten Tomatoes
The Smashing Machine is a 2025 biographical sports drama directed by Benny Safdie. It tells the raw and emotional story of Mark Kerr, a real-life wrestling champion and early mixed martial arts (MMA) icon who rose to fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a transformative role as Mark Kerr, showcasing a performance that is far removed from his usual action-hero persona. Emily Blunt plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, offering an intimate look at the personal cost of fame, addiction, and physical sacrifice.
Summary
The story follows Kerr at the peak of his MMA career—dominating fights with brute force and technique—but struggling deeply in his personal life. As he wins brutal matches and gains fame, Kerr secretly battles a severe opioid addiction, fueled by injuries, pressure, and emotional turmoil.
The film explores his internal conflict: being celebrated as a warrior in the ring, while privately falling apart. His relationship with Dawn is tested as his dependency grows and the line between pain relief and self-destruction blurs.
Rather than portraying a triumphant sports arc, the movie dives into Kerr’s vulnerability—examining the trauma behind the persona of a “machine” built to smash opponents. It’s about identity, pain, masculinity, and redemption, more than just the sport itself.
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