Dwayne Johnson Captures the Complex Spirit of a Fighter in The Smashing Machine

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In simple terms, Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine,” debuting at the Venice Film Festival, is captivating not only for its content but also for what it chooses to leave out. The film, written by Safdie, recounts the true story of Mark Kerr, a mixed martial artist, UFC champion, and tough guy who rose to global fame, plunged into opioid addiction, and ultimately fought his way back to mental stability and success. Unlike many films in this genre, Safdie avoids overly dramatic twists and refrains from using traditional narratives like those seen in “Rocky.” Instead, he relies on Dwayne Johnson’s performance to guide us through Kerr’s tale of fame, addiction, and recovery, steering clear of the clichés common in many addiction-recovery dramas. Unlike other films, Kerr defeats his addiction early in the movie, allowing the audience to witness a fallen champion who gets back up again, questioning his next move. It’s the ongoing curiosity represented by “Now what?” that powers the film.

The film begins around 1997, showcasing Mark Kerr at the peak of his career in mixed martial arts (MMA). As an announcer describes the action, we witness Kerr delivering powerful knee strikes to his opponents. “Impressive! A stunning knee to the face, followed by another!” For those unfamiliar with the context-such as myself prior to watching The Smashing Machine-the “knee to the face” move was once common in MMA, although it’s now largely prohibited in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). If you aren’t a fan of combat sports, witnessing such moves can be incredibly uncomfortable as they appear extremely painful and potentially lethal. Critics like Senator John McCain have even compared MMA to cockfighting due to its aggressive nature. However, one aspect of MMA, as portrayed in The Smashing Machine, is that fighters tend to get back up after a loss, viewing their opponents as allies rather than adversaries. Although they aim to cause significant pain during fights, there’s also an emphasis on keeping it light-hearted-although the drive to win takes precedence over everything else, and this is particularly true of Kerr.

Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn (played by Emily Blunt), is a dedicated and caring individual. However, sharing life with a highly driven athlete, who happens to be an addict, isn’t easy. Despite this, she tries to accommodate him as best she can, such as preparing his power-smoothies. Recently, though, Kerr has become annoyed when Dawn mistakenly uses yesterday’s preferred ingredients instead of the new combination he concocted without informing her. Although Dawn expresses this frustration with a simple eye roll, it’s clear that Kerr’s fussiness and mood swings are taking their toll on her.

On the opposite side, she occasionally treats him in a manner that he finds degrading, referring to a couple struggling to find balance and perhaps never quite achieving it, as there might not be a perfect equilibrium. When Kerr loses a game, ending a lengthy winning streak, he eventually recognizes that the painkillers he’s been hoarding and misusing are causing him more harm than good. He enters rehab and exits with a resolve to remain sober-an action that also irritates Dawn, who views his newfound dedication as self-righteous. These characters don’t always act as we expect; they seem genuine, not scripted, with faults and virtues that resonate with things we observe in our loved ones, acquaintances, or ourselves. At a certain point Kerr, in Japan for a match, enters a store filled with fragile, exquisite items. He selects a radiant ceramic bowl as a present for Dawn, then impulsively adds a silk scarf, grabbing it from a table and passing it to the salesperson. “This one too,” he says. “My girlfriend appreciates colors.” Indeed, who doesn’t appreciate colors? However, there is something endearing about how this massive man permits himself to embrace tender moments.

Kerr and Dawn often clash like volcanos, but there’s just as much intrigue surrounding Kerr’s close friend, Mark Coleman, a retired MMA fighter named Ryan Bader, who transitions into becoming Kerr’s trainer as his athletic career begins to wind down. Tension arises between Dawn and Coleman, both deeply invested in Kerr’s success but with differing visions of what that success should look like. Unfortunately, an unexpected sequence of events strains the relationship between Coleman and Kerr as well. Bader delivers a commendable, understated performance, skillfully toning down even in moments where a seasoned actor might have gone overboard. His portrayal serves as a reminder that these athletes are ordinary men – brimming with testosterone, indeed, but the exceptional ones value loyalty amidst their competitive spirit.

In their creative approach, directors Safdie and cinematographer Maceo Bishop have given the movie a rough, gritty feel, as if the scenes had been slightly scuffed with sandpaper – fittingly so, since this is not a refined, noble sport but a raw, dirty one. The visual aesthetic seems to mirror the grimy atmosphere of 1970s Times Square. Safdie has also shown great skill in his music selection; a standout track being Billy Swann’s captivating, rhythmic rendition of “Don’t Be Cruel.” Furthermore, he allows Johnson ample space to develop and shine as Kerr. Johnson’s physicality is remarkable – his muscular physique resembles a towering ziggurat balanced atop two agile, sinewy legs.

As expected, there are numerous fighting scenes in “The Smashing Machine,” including the infamous knee-to-the-face maneuver. However, it’s not just the visuals that are harsh; the sound design can be harrowing as well, with the sound of flesh being pummeled like meat echoing unnaturally and feeling inhumane. One might question why anyone would subject themselves to this ordeal, both inflicting it and enduring it. Yet, Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr sheds light on the motivation behind such a choice. When not in the ring, Kerr’s eyes carry a gentle, introspective quality, like those of a daydreaming sailor contemplating his next journey. His character is complex – a lover, a fighter, an athlete, a winner and a loser, all rolled into one human being. The film’s conclusion suggests that in real life, Kerr found a measure of peace amidst the brutality.

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2025-09-02 04:06