‘The Smashing Machine’ – Movie Review

“The Smashing Machine,” starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, is the latest film from A24 to hit theaters, directed by Benny Safdie.

The film follows professional UFC fighter Mark Kerr and the ups and downs of his life from 1997 to 2000. It’s a modern, dramatic retelling of true events first explored in the 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.

The movie tackles topics such as Kerr’s opioid addiction, relationship struggles with his longtime girlfriend, Dawn, and his battle with his own mental and physical health.

The story begins with Kerr fresh off his third consecutive victory, higher than he’s ever been. He’s the wildly popular new face of the Japanese-owned Pride FC, undefeated after three dominant victories, and beloved by many, both fans and friends.

After his first loss, however, every aspect of Kerr’s world comes crashing down. He increases his dosage of prescription pain medication to cope with the pain of losing, loses motivation even to eat, and becomes cold and distant toward those he loves.

This eventually leads to an overdose, forcing him to step away from fighting as he begins his journey to sobriety.

Upon his return to the ring, the film’s climax unfolds during the Pride Grand Prix — a 16-person, bracket-style tournament featuring the league’s most skilled and popular fighters competing for a life-changing amount of money.

The film’s strongest point, in my opinion, is the hauntingly powerful performances by Johnson and Blunt. They deliver an unflinching portrayal of the downsides of success. Their chemistry shines — both in tender, loving moments and in scenes of tension and manipulation — keeping audiences glued to the screen.

Unfortunately, the plot itself falls short in several ways throughout the under-two-hour runtime. At times, the pacing drags, and scenes meant to build suspense stretch too long, diminishing the film’s emotional impact.

The movie’s pacing also feels scattered and confusing as it jumps quickly between time periods and locations, often leaving the audience wondering, “How did we get here?” or “Where are we?” This may stem from the filmmakers’ attempt to fit more than three years of Kerr’s life into less than two hours.

In classic A24 fashion, the cinematography and camerawork stand out as a major strength. Despite the film’s dark tone, it’s shot in an engaging and visually compelling way, using subtle expressions and movements to add depth to the characters and scenes.

Although it may not have performed especially well at the box office, the film shines at moments, telling a fascinating story that deserves to be shared.

The project also serves as a clear career shift for Johnson, who has expressed interest in more dramatic roles. His performance is the standout of the entire film, proving he’s capable of a deeper, more nuanced level of acting. It’ll be interesting to see how he develops this in future projects.

While “The Smashing Machine” has its strengths, its numerous flaws often overshadow them. Weak pacing and structural missteps make it difficult to stay invested, despite the standout performances and impressive visuals.

— Nick Myers

Rating: 3 out of 5

Nick Myers is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email nwm5344@psu.edu.