The Smashing Machine

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2:30

The Smashing Machine

R

In Theaters Fri Oct 3

2h 3m

Biography

Drama

Sports

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

Popcornmeter

0 Verified Ratings

MMA fighter Mark Kerr reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships.

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In Theaters Fri Oct 3

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Benny Safdie

Director

Dwayne Johnson

Mark Kerr

Emily Blunt

Dawn Staples

Ryan Bader

Mark Coleman

Bas Rutten

Self

Oleksandr Usyk

Igor Vovchanchyn

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Steve Pond

TheWrap

It’s not one of those triumphant sports movies we’re all tired of, but it’s not wrong to say that there is some triumph here.

Sep 2, 2025

Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek

TIME Magazine

It’s the persistent drive of the “Now what?” that makes the movie work.

Sep 2, 2025

Full Review

Hannah Strong

Little White Lies

It’s a film that feels gloriously alive, earnest in its depiction of masculinity that is fragile rather than toxic while still grappling with the question of why anyone would choose to make a living in such a barbaric way.

Sep 2, 2025

Full Review

Frank J. Avella

The Contending

The Smashing Machine is a definite showcase for Johnson. The character he portrays, Mark Kerr, was a groundbreaking Mixed Martial Arts fighter, but in execution the result feels more like a decent 1980s TV-movie—or an unnecessary reworking of The Wrestler

Rated: C

Sep 5, 2025

Full Review

Matthew Turner

NME (New Musical Express)

A thoroughly entertaining sports biopic that packs one hell of a sentimental gutpunch. It’s smashing stuff.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 5, 2025

Full Review

Stefania Sarrubba

Screensphere

Despite all the bloodshed in the ring and the emotional turmoil out of it, Safdie’s movie still plays it too safe to deliver a knockout blow — and it’s Johnson who suffers the most for it.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 4, 2025

Full Review

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The Smashing Machine: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

MMA fighter Mark Kerr reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships.

Director: Benny Safdie
Producer: Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, David Koplan
Screenwriter: Benny Safdie
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Out for the Count, Seven Bucks Productions, A24
Rating: R (Language and Some Drug Abuse)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Sports
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 3, 2025, Wide
Runtime: 2h 3m