The Smashing Machine (Open Caption) Trailer15A123 min
Synopsis
In one of the year’s more surprising duos, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and indie director Benny Safdie team up in The Smashing Machine, a powerful biopic of pioneering mixed martial arts/UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Kerr helped grow the sport’s popularity in its early days, but the fights’ brutal demands took a toll, eventually leading to painkiller addiction.
Johnson is known for the humour he brings to action films and he perfectly captures Kerr’s soft-spoken manner. He was gigantic, but his gentle demeanour challenged the intense brutality of the sport. Johnson gives an eye-opening performance, supported by Emily Blunt as Dawn, Kerr’s devoted partner, tormented by the price he pays.
Told in a quasi-documentary style, with a similar energy as the Safdie brothers’ groundbreaking Good Time and Uncut Gems. That behind the scenes realism is enhanced by the presence of a slew of MMA legends like Bas Rutten and Ryan Bader, and there’s even a cameo from Kerr himself.