Movie Review: ‘The Smashing Machine’

Plot: Based on the life of pioneer MMA fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson), director Benny Safdie examines Kerr’s early years between 1997 to 2000. While publicly successful both inside and outside of the ring, internally Mark struggles with opioid addiction and chronic pain. Mark’s issues are also exacerbated by his first major loss and a toxic relationship with his girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt). Determined to climb the mountaintop once again, Kerr trains with legendary fighter Bas Rutten in order to win the 2000 Pride Grand Prix. But can Mark overcome his own personal demons on the road to redemption?

Review: Directors Josh and Benny Safdie have quickly become the Cohen Brothers of the 21st century. With critical hits like Good Time and Uncut Gems, I expected the duo to be teaming up for years to come. It came as quite a shock to me last year when I learned that not one, but both brothers would be releasing solo projects in 2025. While Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme doesn’t hit theaters until Christmas Day, Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine debuted at Venice in September and rolled into cineplexes earlier this month. So does Benny Safdie’s first solo outing compare to his earlier works with brother Josh?

I’m sorry to say that Benny should re-hitch his post with his bro as soon as possible.

While by no means a bad movie, The Smashing Machine never ascends above mediocrity despite stellar performances from Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, and some inspired cinematography from Maceo Bishop. Based on the buzz out of the Venice Film Festival, I was expecting a movie on par with Warrior or Rocky. Even the trailers suggested a tone in the vein of A24’s recent film The Iron Claw. Unfortunately, it’s much more akin to Kickboxer but without the charm. That may sound harsh but when you’re expecting greatness and you get middle of the road, it’s hard not to be a little severe.

The Smashing Machine‘s biggest weakness lies in its script. While Benny Safdie’s writing skills are usually on point, he can’t seem to rise above tired cliches here. Whether it’s a fighter who thinks he’s invincible and finally loses, or a fighter contending with substance abuse problems, or a fighter engaging a new trainer to get back to the top of the mountain–they are all here. Yes I fully understand that all of these things I’m describing actually did happen to Mark Kerr, but as a director and a writer, your job is to elevate those tired tropes into something brilliant. Safdie fails to do that here. Even the intense scenes where Dawn and Mark engage in some heated arguments too often veer into melodrama. Hell there’s a part where Mark destroys a door and it’s clearly made out of cardboard. Furthermore, Safdie employs a disjointed and messy score from Nala Sinephro. The score runs the gamut from jazzy to orchestral to (strangely) horror film-esque. The result is a consistently distracting score that often took me out of the movie. Ultimately, The Smashing Machine‘s cinematic failures fall at the feet of Benny Safdie.

I will say that Maceo Bishop’s cinematography was quite impressive. Bishop utilizes a cinema verité approach to The Smashing Machine, with most of the film coming off as a documentary. Indeed it’s clear that much of the movie, especially the fight scenes, are ripped right from the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name. Dwayne Johnson appears in virtually every shot, which emphasizes how much this is distinctly Mark Kerr’s story. It results in a level of compassion and empathy that otherwise would not have been present with a more direct cinematic approach.

What makes The Smashing Machine worth a watch are the performances of its two main actors: Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson.

Despite the occasional melodrama I previously mentioned, Blunt’s performance as Dawn is one of her best to date. Dawn’s clearly someone in need of constant attention and validation. She resents Mark’s fame in the MMA world as it takes the spotlight off of her. Blunt’s Dawn refuses to accept the boundaries Mark puts up regarding Dawn attending his fights and this makes for some of the more sensational confrontations between the pair. Yet Dawn also loves the lifestyle Mark’s career provides her and does authentically love Mark. However, it’s very clear that Dawn’s love doesn’t preclude a toxic relationship, which this very much is. The toxicity grows even more complex when Mark tries to get sober and Dawn continues to abuse alcohol.

Let’s be honest though. The big question for potential viewers is whether or not The Smashing Machine is the transcendent acting performance from Dwayne Johnson audiences were expecting. I can categorically answer “Hell yes!” to that question. It is astounding how nuanced and layered Dwayne Johnson’s performance is in The Smashing Machine. He just disappears into the role of Mark Kerr. More impressive than his physical transformation (which believe me is impressive) are the emotional and personal depths that Johnson’s able to access here. In some ways Mark comes off like an idealistic child who can’t even consider the possibility of losing. Other times we see the depths of his opioid addiction and his tedency to get violent when things don’t go his way. Yet Johnson’s Kerr is also a gentle giant, kind and affable when he’s away from the ring, even to his opponents who are more like brothers than enemies. Mark’s always up for engaging anyone in conversation even if it is an old lady and her grandson in a doctor’s office. There’s also small, intimate moments where Johnson conveys how much Mark appreciates the simple pleasures of the real world. I’ll never forget a scene early in The Smashing Machine where Mark flies to Japan and asks the person sitting next to him to open the window so he can see the sunset. Johnson’s performance is bound to garner him his first Oscar nomination.

It’s a shame that the rest of The Smashing Machine isn’t as rock solid (pun intended) as Johnson’s performance. While Johnson’s portrayal of Mark Kerr comes off transcendent, The Smashing Machine on the whole can’t help falling to the canvas.

My rating system:

1 God Awful Blind Yourself With Acid Bad

2 Straight Garbage

3 Bad

4 Sub Par

5 Average

6 Ok

7 Good

8 Great

9 Excellent

10 A Must See

Masterpiece

The Smashing Machine: 5/10