The Smashing Machine

In the late 1990s Mark Kerr is an athlete with one clear aim: to prove he belongs at the top of a raw, unforgiving fight scene. As he chases championship glory, he’s also wrestling with an opioid dependence that undermines his training and judgment. Outside the ring his relationship with Dawn is intense and unstable, adding pressure to an already dangerous career. The story follows Kerr’s struggles in a world where violence, ego, and pain are currency, showing how ambition and addiction push him toward choices with serious consequences, without revealing how his struggle resolves.

Released in 2025 and directed by Benny Safdie, the film casts Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr with Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, and features Ryan Bader and Bas Rutten. It arrives as a historical drama rooted in the rise of early mixed martial arts.

Critical reaction has been mixed to positive, reflected in a 6.5/10 average from user votes. Reviewers have praised the performances and period detail while noting the film’s heavy focus on character over spectacle. Main themes include the cost of fame, the culture of combat sports, addiction, and the impact of intense relationships on mental health.

The Smashing Machine has reintroduced wider audiences to the gritty origins of modern MMA and renewed interest in Mark Kerr’s story. Conversations on social media and in sports coverage highlighted the film’s portrayal of the opioid crisis within athletics and encouraged discussion about fighter welfare and mental health during the sport’s formative years.

The movie opened with a targeted theatrical rollout, aiming at adult viewers and fans of sports history rather than mainstream summer crowds. Its box office was modest, finding its strongest support in specialty markets and through word of mouth among combat sports fans.