The Smashing Machine.
The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Mark Kerr, a pioneering mixed martial artist whose success in the ring came at a devastating personal cost.
Set during the rough, unregulated rise of MMA in the late 1990s, the film follows Kerr’s ascent from a promising wrestler to an international champion, and the private struggles that shadowed his fame. As injuries mount and the pressure to keep winning intensifies, Kerr’s reliance on painkillers and the strain on his relationship with Dawn Staples threaten to undo everything he’s built.
Directed by Benny Safdie, the film combines the intensity of combat with the quiet collapse that follows — exploring ambition, addiction, and the fragile line between strength and self-destruction. Gritty, authentic, and deeply human, The Smashing Machine is not just about fighting in the cage, but fighting to hold onto oneself when the spotlight fades.
Stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt and Ryan Bader.
Cert 15. 123 mins. Biographical Drama / Sport.
