Dwayne Johnson has thrown down plenty of punches on screen, but critics say his latest role hits differently. The first reviews of The Smashing Machine, director Benni Safdie’s sports biopic, are out, and the consensus is clear, this is Johnson like audiences have never seen before.
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, tracks the life of Mark Kerr, a champion MMA fighter whose battles extended far beyond the ring. From opioid addiction to a stormy romance with Dawn Staples (played by Emily Blunt), Kerr’s story is a brutal mix of victories and painful defeats.
The Independent called the performance Johnson’s “most raw and vulnerable” work to date, "The Smashing Machine may not provide the pay-offs that audiences expect from more conventional sports movies, but this is the most raw and vulnerable that Johnson has ever been on-screen. Once you’ve seen him this exposed, you won’t watch his typical action movie stunts in quite the same way ever again ."
The Smashing Machine also debuts with 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. With a critic rating of 84% so far and 8.6 on IMDb
The Daily Mail wrote, "Maceo Bishop’s nimble photography has the sweat and grit of a vintage muscle flick but the score by the experimental jazz composer Nala Sinephro is all swirling harps and breathy saxophones. Yet as an accompaniment to Kerr’s battles in and out of the ring, it’s oddly perfect."
An X user wrote, "THE SMASHING MACHINE stands out for its authenticity & raw portrayal. Safdie’s direction balances the brutality of the ring w/ a humane & heartfelt narrative. The chemistry between Johnson & Blunt is genuine & touching, elevating the drama w/ shocking emotional depth."
THE SMASHING MACHINE stands out for its authenticity & raw portrayal. Safdie’s direction balances the brutality of the ring w/ a humane & heartfelt narrative. The chemistry between Johnson & Blunt is genuine & touching, elevating the drama w/ shocking emotional depth. #Venezia82 pic.twitter.com/yC7iOicDi2
Not every review was glowing. Vulture pointed out that Emily Blunt’s Dawn feels underwritten, despite her strong presence. Still, the movie’s gritty cinematography and experimental jazz score by Nala Sinephro were widely celebrated, adding layers to Kerr’s chaotic journey.
While a other user wrote a balanced review, "The Smashing Machine - It's fine. Well-made, performances are solid, but an otherwise generic version of this story we've so many times before. The Wrestler, etc. Big tough guy not so tough but also wants to win. Dwayne Johnson is really good, yes, but that's about it. "
At Venice, the film reportedly earned a 15-minute standing ovation, with Johnson visibly emotional as the applause rolled on.
Backed by Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, and David Koplan, The Smashing Machine also features Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.
The film hits theaters October 3, 2025. Judging by the early buzz, it might be Dwayne Johnson’s most important role yet.
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