Dwayne Johnson Delivers Career-Best Performance in The Smashing Machine

Dwayne Johnson stars in a new film about UFC legend Mark Kerr. The movie, titled The Smashing Machine, premiered at the Venice Film Festival. It is directed by Benny Safdie of the Safdie brothers. Johnson’s performance is being hailed as his most serious and absorbing role yet.

The film explores the brutal early days of mixed martial arts. It focuses on Kerr’s struggles with addiction and personal relationships. According to reports from Venice, the role is a significant departure from Johnson’s typical action-hero persona.

A Gritty Look at Early UFC and Personal Demons

The Smashing Machine is set between 1997 and 2000. This period covers the rise of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The sport was a fringe organization with violent, poorly paid bouts.

Safdie’s direction emphasizes a stylized, moody realism. The film features a mix of trained actors and real fighters. Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten, both UFC legends, play key roles alongside Johnson.

Johnson undergoes a physical transformation for the part. Prosthetic designer Kazu Hiro created detailed cauliflower ears for the actor. The goal was to make Johnson nearly unrecognizable as the hulking fighter.

Beyond the Ring: A Story of Human Vulnerability

The narrative contrasts fights in the octagon with domestic struggles. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn. Their turbulent relationship is a central source of drama outside the ring.

The film is less about victory and more about human fragility. It follows Kerr’s intense pressure and subsequent opiate addiction. This aligns with Benny Safdie’s previous work on characters battling addiction.

The finale avoids a typical sports-movie climax. It instead doubles down on the realistic trauma caused by a life of violence. The overall aesthetic is grungy and unglamorous, capturing the era’s feel.

The Smashing Machine redefines Dwayne Johnson’s career with a raw, vulnerable performance. This project marks a major shift for the actor into dramatic filmmaking. The film offers a punishing look at the cost of combat sports.

Info at your fingertips

Who is Mark Kerr in real life?

Mark Kerr is a real former wrestler and mixed martial artist. He was a dominant force in the early years of the UFC and Japanese Pride events. His career was famously documented in a 2002 HBO film also called The Smashing Machine.

Is this movie connected to the HBO documentary?

No, this is a separate narrative feature film. It is a biographical drama based on Kerr’s life, not the documentary. Benny Safdie directs this new interpretation.

What makes Dwayne Johnson’s performance different?

Johnson is known for charismatic action roles. This performance is grittier and more vulnerable. He portrays Kerr’s physical and emotional struggles with a new depth.

When will The Smashing Machine be released?

A wide release date has not yet been officially announced. The film premiered in competition at the 2024 Venice Film Festival. A release is expected following its festival run.

Who else stars in the film alongside Johnson?

Emily Blunt plays Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn. Real UFC fighters Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten also star in significant roles. They play themselves and Kerr’s training partners.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, Associated Press, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter