The Smashing Machine: A Refreshing Approach for a Hollywood Icon

Entering the Ring

Put on your boxing gloves and focus your core, because an all-new biographical picture is out to tell the story of a combat sport icon! The Smashing Machine is based on the life of mixed martial-artist Mark Kerr, one of the pioneering names of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Kerr was known for his strong presence in the fighting ring, through both his wrestling-style approach to combat and persistent determination in emerging victorious.

Now, his story has been brought to the silver screen courtesy of several noteworthy figures in Hollywood, particularly its lead performer: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Primarily known for his roles in action-heavy blockbusters like the Fast & Furious series, Black Adam, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Johnson decided to inherit the gloves and portray Kerr with help from director Benny Safdie – known for co-directing the acclaimed Uncut Gems with his brother, Josh. Their efforts appear to have paid off strongly, as the film has received positive reviews from critics and audiences and earned $7 million across theaters nationwide on its opening weekend.

Personally, despite not knowing much about the UFC or Kerr’s past, I was still quite enthusiastic for this movie. Not only did I adore Safdie’s work on Uncut Gems, but I was curious as to how Johnson would tackle such a grounded and dramatic role. I always get excited whenever an actor performs against their usual schtick – like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting and Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder – as they often portray standout characters while greatly showcasing range in their acting styles. With Johnson in the ring and Safdie behind the announcer’s table, this movie was set up to be a new champion for 2025 cinema. 

Eagerly, I drove to the nearby Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Mansfield – just seven minutes from campus – and secured a ticket to the highly promising picture. As the credits rolled, I was left with one question: did this movie serve as a victory for Johnson’s career, or did its issues ultimately knock it out? 

Establishing a Fair Fight

Set between 1997 and 2000, The Smashing Machine focuses on Kerr’s life as he begins his professional career in the UFC and climbs to ranks to become a household name. But, in addition to his commitments to the championship, Kerr sports a spotty personal life in both his substance usage and relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples. As he continues building his reputation in the ring, Kerr’s issues amplify as he struggles to balance his life, both in and beyond the arena. 

Along with Safdie’s direction and Johnson’s starring talent, the film also features a strong supporting cast including Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Oleksandr Usyk, and Bas Rutten – who portrays a fictionalized version of himself.

I am satisfied to report that this movie is a strong examination of Kerr’s life, resulting in one of the year’s best biopics. It finds a strong balance in developing Kerr both in and out of the ring, ultimately leading to a generally well-written script with steady pacing. It never relies too much on fight sequences to pad the runtime, nor do the more dramatic moments feel too monotonous and drawn out. Rather, it alternates between the two styles to provide the clearest picture it can about Kerr’s impact on the UFC, as well as those surrounding him. 

That said, many of the movie’s standout moments come courtesy of the aforementioned fight scenes, primarily due to how real they feel. The actors – primarily Johnson – show strong role commitment through their fight choreography, which combines elements of wrestling, boxing, and other forms of martial arts. This variety, along with high stakes and a lack of music, ensure viewers feel every uppercut, punch, and headbutt as they happen in real time. Mixed with a unique style of editing, these matches boast authenticity as they feel ripped straight out of an old television set or VHS tape.

Speaking of the editing, what helps it stand out as different from more conventional biopics is the documentary-like feel it has. The majority of the film’s scenes see the camera move by design, as though they are being recorded on a handheld video camera. In general, this style works quite well, especially in the context of the fight scenes, as it adds an extra layer of realism to the film. 

But in some of the more slow scenes – primarily in interactions between Kerr and Staples – this approach can feel a bit odd. Though it does not detract from the quality of the scenes themselves, it still felt a bit jarring seeing the camera naturally shake in scenes where it would usually be stationary. I can appreciate the filmmakers for trying to do something different with the editing style, but in some instances, it came off as more distracting than effective.

Tonight’s Fighters

Part of what makes this movie work as well as it does is the cast, all of whom do fantastically. Compared to many other films out right now, this one does not have a very big ensemble, opting instead for a limited cast with a few big names. I really liked this decision as it prevented the movie from feeling too cluttered and gave every performer a proper time to shine. 

Undoubtedly, the standout actor is Johnson as Kerr, in what could be the best performance of his entire career. Rather than play the same old action hero trope he’s typically known for, Johnson provides a strong emotional core to the UFC icon while staying true to the choreography – further benefitted by his experience as a wrestler. He particularly shines in the more dramatic moments as he expresses feelings of rage, regret, and sympathy to those around him, leading to many gut-wrenching moments and dialogue. Seeing Johnson outside his typical action-oriented comfort zone was highly refreshing, as the film effectively illustrated his skills as a dramatic actor, and the potential he has in the genre.

The rest of the cast is also impactful in their roles, with Bader radiating a strong fighting energy as Kerr’s friend, Mark Coleman, while Rutten portrays himself genuinely and effectively, adding to the film’s authenticity. But of the entire supporting ensemble, Blunt particularly stood out in her role as Kerr’s girlfriend, Staples. Throughout the runtime, she tries to connect with Kerr and be close to him, but struggles to understand or agree with the decisions he makes throughout his career. As a result, it leads to a lot of effective dialogue between her and Kerr, especially in argumentative sequences, while also introducing some emotionally resounding and even shocking scenes. 

Blunt’s grounded and emotional performance is a marvel in the film, but I do wish the script delved more into her character. Despite her playing a pivotal role in Kerr’s life, Staples is not seen often in the movie unless Kerr shares the spotlight with her. Though their scenes are impactful, I wish we got some extra time with Staples, especially since her character sets up a promising subplot which ultimately does not get much attention. Though Kerr himself does sport a strong arc, I feel like an additional 10-15 minutes could have been added to the runtime to flesh out Staples’s side of the story and provide an even wider picture of Kerr’s impact on her. 

A Dramatic Gutpunch

Like previously mentioned, this film showcases plenty of great drama and emotional beats, especially through the performances of Johnson and Blunt. These scenes are balanced out exceptionally with the fighting matches, resulting in a well-balanced film which never feels too fast or slow. Additionally, it provides a strong tone to the movie, as it efficiently explores Kerr’s point-of-view and the challenges he faces, from the moment his career begins to the obstacles he faces throughout it. As such, it finds the right balance between triumph and struggle, letting the more uplifting moments shine while providing strong impact in its more upsetting moments. 

The overall plot structure is admittedly basic, following a similar format to many other biographical films in how it showcases the highs and lows of a key figure’s career. However, the delivery of the dialogue and overall emotional impact helped the story feel worthwhile, as I constantly remained on edge of what could happen next – both in and out of the arena. Despite occasional cliches, the movie executes its scenes expertly under Safdie’s direction, resulting in a strong exploration of Kerr’s career which has stuck with me, even days after my initial viewing.

On top of that, the movie is not afraid to get dark with its drama, or even shocking as certain plot beats rise in intensity. Without spoiling, I can say that some prominent examples include a hospital scene about midway through, and an unforgettably haunting confrontation between Kerr and Staples towards the climax. These sequences – specifically the latter – left me on the brink of tears as certain events unfolded. The movie does a great job at setting up emotional conflicts before paying them off in heartbreaking end results. As such, despite its occasional familiarity and Staples’s lack of development, the drama serves as the most impactful portion of the film, making it one of the year’s most poignant pictures.

A Victorious Knockout

Overall, despite a simple structure, occasionally odd editing, and a lack of development for Staples, The Smashing Machine is an effective biopic thanks to its tense fight sequences, captivating drama, strong emotional weight, and Johnson’s remarkable portrayal of Kerr. This is the type of movie Johnson needed after years of playing the recycled action hero archetype, resulting in a refreshing and impactful take on a UFC legend. 

If you’re a fan of the UFC, sports-related dramas, or biographical films, I’d highly recommend checking this movie out. The Smashing Machine is currently playing in theaters nationwide, including the local Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in Mansfield. If you want to see a modern acting icon like Johnson in a completely different light, this movie greatly showcases his potential in drama. 

It may trip a few times in the ring, but in terms of overall quality, this biopic is certainly worthy of helming the championship belt. 

My Rating