As a fervent admirer, I’ve just received a peek at the early responses pouring in for Dwayne Johnson’s gripping, emotionally charged real-life drama titled The Smashing Machine.
In this sports biography movie, Johnson portrays mixed martial arts and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) combatant Mark Kerr. The story unfolds as Kerr grapples with drug addiction issues and his complicated past relationship with ex-spouse Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt.
The movie, set to hit theaters on October 3rd, held its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1st.
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After its initial screening, the film titled “The Smashing Machine” garnered its first critiques. On Rotten Tomatoes, it gathered a remarkable 89% approval rating based on 18 evaluations, with numerous critics lavishing praise upon Johnson’s portrayal of Kerr.
The BBC praised Johnson’s acting as “Oscar-caliber,” stating: “There’s a strong possibility that Johnson may receive an Oscar nomination. With his Hollywood movies generating billions in box office revenue, this profound, multidimensional character offers his colleagues a clear opportunity to recognize him for his financially successful career.
RogerEbert.com noted that the film is most tense and distressing when it portrays Mark’s struggle with self-doubt and the path it leads him down.
As a die-hard gaming enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: “In my gaming world, Dwayne Johnson’s performance in his latest role is akin to an epic character I can’t get enough of. He’s the undisputed mixed martial arts champ in a fight flick that draws heavily from the genre’s playbook. But unlike a classic Rocky movie, it doesn’t deliver the knockout punch we’re all rooting for – and honestly, it seems it wasn’t aiming to either.
The review by Variety states that Johnson, transforming his entire demeanor (making him appear as if he’s a different actor), brings out the mysterious aspect of Mark that was previously silent and moody. His performance is nothing short of extraordinary.
Some critics found the film lacking, with AwardsWatch stating: “Dwayne Johnson, in the leading role, makes an effort to present a departure from his typical action/comedy performances. However, the movie fails to provide him with an opportunity to truly display his dramatic talents.
In simpler terms, The Times compared “The Smashing Machine” to a fake diamond that appears valuable during first glance, but upon closer examination, it’s discovered to be entirely plastic with little to no value, much like an awards season contender.
In this new movie, Benny Safdie makes his first solo directorial effort. Notably, it brings together again the stars from “Jungle Cruise,” namely Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson.
The Smashing Machine is released in cinemas on 3 October.
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2025-09-02 13:51