'The Smashing Machine' Now Available for Home Streaming
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson moves away from his usual action-comedy persona to portray MMA fighter Mark Kerr in a dramatic role in The Smashing Machine. The film debuted at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival and later appeared at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it received mainly positive reviews, especially praising Johnson's performance.
Main Cast and Storyline
- Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
- Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Kerr's partner
- Ryan Bader as UFC champion Mark Coleman
- Oleksandr Usyk as MMA fighter Igor Vovchanchyn
Written and directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), the film chronicles Kerr's journey through the early days of UFC in the 1990s. It captures his challenges inside and outside the ring, including a tumultuous relationship with Dawn Staples, with scenes set between the Pride FC competition in Japan and the United States.
Viewing Information
If you missed the theatrical release, The Smashing Machine is now available to watch from home. The movie may not have been a box office giant, but Johnson's dramatic transformation into Mark Kerr makes it a compelling watch.
"It earned mostly positive reviews, with tons of praise for Johnson's performance."
"The Smashing Machine tells the true story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr during the early days of the UFC in the '90s."
Author's summary: Dwayne Johnson's intense portrayal of MMA fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine offers a gripping look at the fighter's struggles and triumphs during UFC's formative years.