The Smashing Machine

Synopsis: MMA fighter Mark Kerr reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships along the way. 

Movie Review: 

"The Smashing Machine," directed by Benny Safdie, is a sports drama that chronicles the fighting career of the legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr. The film explores his struggles with a toxic relationship and addiction, creating an emotional experience complemented by impressive fight scenes that resemble a sports documentary, making it an engaging sports film. I was particularly struck by Dwayne Johnson's portrayal of Mark Kerr, as he underwent a remarkable transformation through makeup, voice modulation, and physicality, delivering a heartbreaking and emotional performance that may be his finest to date. He truly deserves all the accolades for this outstanding portrayal. Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr's girlfriend, and her performance is exceptional—riveting, emotional, and authentic, depicting a character grappling with mental health issues, which at times made for difficult viewing. The chemistry between Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt is remarkable, even though their relationship is toxic, leading to a shared experience of misery and heartbreak. Their fight scenes are brutal and realistic, adding to the film's intensity. Ryan Bader portrays Mark Kerr's best friend, Mark Coleman, and he steals the show with an impressive performance in his acting debut, particularly highlighted by his incredible fight scenes that enhance the film's authenticity. While the fight sequences are expertly shot and directed, and the performances are stellar with memorable moments, the film suffers from a lack of a cohesive plot, occasionally feeling more like a documentary than a narrative film, which detracted from my overall experience. Additionally, it falls into some sports clichés that render the third act somewhat predictable. "The Smashing Machine" showcases Dwayne Johnson's best performance to date, is well-directed, but does have some narrative issues. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: Benny Safdie 

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Lyndsey Gavin, Bas Rutten, Olesandr Usyk, Paul Lazenby, James Moontasri, Paul Cheng, Andre Tricoteux and Satoshi Lshii 

Runtime: 123 Minutes