The Smashing Machine (2025) – Gritty MMA Biopic That Packs a Punch, Then Pulls a Few
Hello, movie lovers! In this review, I'm stepping into the octagon with The Smashing Machine (2025), written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. Dwayne Johnson transforms into MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, with Emily Blunt as his volatile girlfriend Dawn Staples, and real fighters Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles. This R-rated biography-drama-action-sports flick (2h 3m) charts the rise, fall, and addiction spiral of a UFC legend. I was gripped early, drifted mid-fight, then roared back for the finale—solid 7/10 for MMA diehards.
The Smashing Machine (2025) - Raw Rise and Brutal Fall of an MMA Trailblazer
Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems chaos, now solo) drops us cage-side into the late '90s/early 2000s MMA boom—no gloves, no rules, just blood and ambition. Johnson is Mark Kerr: amateur wrestling champ turned UFC beast, smashing faces until painkillers smash him back. The opening montage—grainy VHS training, Pride FC glory, Kerr's monster slams—had me hooked. Then the middle sags: endless rehab loops, girlfriend fights over nothing, and too many “I’m done” speeches. But the final act? Brutal comeback. Blunt’s Dawn is electric—screaming at Kerr during weigh-ins, picking fights when he needs hugs—real, messy, human. Bader as rival Mark Coleman steals scenes with quiet menace. At 7/10, it’s Raging Bull for the Tapout generation—raw, real, but only if you bleed MMA.
The Plot: From Cage King to Painkiller Pawn
Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) dominates early UFC and Pride FC—two-time champ, human wrecking ball. But victory has a price: injuries, opioids, ego, and Dawn (Emily Blunt), a girlfriend who loves hard and fights harder. As wins turn to withdrawals, Kerr spirals—losing fights, friends, and himself. Real MMA legends (Bader, Rutten, Usyk) ground the grit; Safdie uses actual fight footage to blur biopic and documentary.
It’s not just punches—it’s the cost. First loss cracks his psyche. Addiction cracks his body. Dawn cracks under pressure. This is sports history: the wild west of MMA before rules, rosters, or rehab.
Performances That Bleed Authenticity
- Dwayne Johnson: No Rock smirk here—just raw, hulky vulnerability. His quiet breakdowns hit harder than any suplex.
- Emily Blunt: Dawn is chaos—jealous, loyal, toxic, loving. She’s the real fight Kerr can’t win.
- Ryan Bader: As Mark Coleman, he’s all stoic menace—two legends sharing silence.
- Real fighters (Rutten, Usyk) add cage cred.
This cast lives the era.
Safdie’s Solo Swing at Sports Tragedy
Safdie trades Gems panic for cage panic—handheld chaos, sweat-soaked close-ups, needle drops that sting. It’s The Wrestler with knees to the face. The film honors MMA’s outlaw roots: no weight classes, no drug tests, just warriors and wreckage. But it’s for fans—casuals might tap out.
Ratings and Critical Reception
- IMDb: 6.5/10 (45,000 users)
- RT: 70% critics (292 reviews) / 75% audience
- Budget: $50M | Box Office: $21M (ouch)
Critics praise the “gritty authenticity” and “Johnson’s best dramatic turn”; audiences say “great for MMA nerds, slow for everyone else.” My 7/10 splits the cage.
A Minor Critique: Mid-Fight Slump
The middle act drags—too many montages of pills, fights with Dawn, and “one last chance” speeches. Trim 15 minutes of rehab redundancy, and it’d hit like a Kerr kneebar.
A Solid Swing for MMA Historians
At 7/10, The Smashing Machine is a bloody valentine to MMA’s wild days—real, raw, and only for fight fans. Johnson and Blunt bring the pain; Safdie brings the truth. Watch it if you know who Bas Rutten is. Skip if you don’t.
What did you think? Kerr’s fall a knockout or a snooze? Drop your fight picks below—and suggest my next sports saga! Like, follow, share so you don’t miss the next round. Thanks for stepping in the cage—see you at the weigh-in.
