← Back to results
The Smashing Machine
2025 123 min United States of America R 18+
★6.7
Drama, History, Action
Director: Benny Safdie
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Teaser
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Budget:
$50M
US Gross:
$11.41M
Worldwide:
$21.13M
Starring
Dwayne Johnson
Actor
Emily Blunt
Actor
Ryan Bader
Actor
Awards
Venice Film Festival 2025
— Silver Lion – Best Director
Venice Film Festival 2025
— Golden Lion
Academy Awards 2026
— Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Golden Globe 2026
— Best Actor (Drama)
Golden Globe 2026
— Best Supporting Actress
Key opinion
The Smashing Machine is a somber, documentary-style character study that prioritizes atmosphere and the internal fragility of a fighter over traditional sports-movie spectacle. While Dwayne Johnson’s attempt to shed his blockbuster persona for a vulnerable dramatic role receives praise for effort, the film is hampered by a thin, uneven screenplay that struggles to sustain momentum.
| Cinematography | The pseudo-documentary visual style effectively fosters an immersive, grounded atmosphere that captures the grit of the early MMA era. | |
| Acting | Dwayne Johnson delivers a surprising, earnest performance that successfully moves away from his typical heroic archetype to portray vulnerability and inner conflict. | |
| Acting | Emily Blunt provides a strong, emotionally grounded performance, though critics are split on whether her character is fully developed or merely a functional catalyst for the protagonist's arc. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is widely considered the film's weakest link, lacking the narrative depth and structural intrigue needed to fully support the dramatic stakes. | |
| Pacing | The contemplative, slow-burn pacing is polarizing; some find it a refreshing, realistic depiction of sports-world fatigue, while others find the film languid and lacking in tension. |