A Biographical Sports Drama by Benny Safdie
Witness Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's most transformative role as he becomes MMA legend Mark Kerr in this gritty biographical drama. From the early days of UFC to personal demons, this film delivers visceral fight sequences and emotional depth. Experience the Oscar-nominated makeup work that turned The Rock into The Smashing Machine!
Benny Safdie
2025
128 minutes
Biographical Sports Drama
A24
Silver Lion
Venice Film Festival
The Smashing Machine is a 2025 American biographical sports drama written, directed, produced, and edited by Benny Safdie that chronicles the tumultuous life and career of early MMA pioneer Mark Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson.
The film follows Kerr's rise through the early days of the UFC, his intense physical battles inside the octagon, and his personal struggles with pain, addiction, and relationships. It blends visceral fight sequences with emotional depth, creating a raw portrait of a fighter battling both opponents in the cage and demons outside of it.
With an authentic cast featuring real fighters and a standout performance by Emily Blunt as Kerr's partner Dawn Staples, the film delivers both bone-crunching action and heartbreaking drama.
β’ Nicknamed "The Smashing Machine" for his aggressive fighting style
β’ Two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion
β’ Considered one of the most dominant early UFC fighters
β’ Struggled with painkiller addiction during his career
β’ His life story inspired this biographical drama
The film's Oscar nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling recognizes the incredible transformation of Dwayne Johnson into Mark Kerr. The makeup team spent hours creating realistic fight damage, aging effects, and physical alterations to make The Rock nearly unrecognizable as the MMA legend.
Full Film β’ HD Quality β’ Wistia Player
Experience the early days of mixed martial arts:
β’ Witness Dwayne Johnson's dramatic transformation
β’ See real UFC fighters in authentic roles
β’ Feel the intensity of early MMA matches
β’ Experience the emotional journey behind the fights
"The most intense fight is often outside the octagon..."
π Oscar-Nominated Makeup & Hairstyling
π₯ Dwayne Johnson's Career-Defining Role
β Wistia player loaded successfully β’ Smooth streaming for your 128-minute film
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β’ Silver Lion Winner
β’ Venice International Film Festival
β’ Premiered September 2025
β’ Critical & Festival Success
β’ A24 Theatrical Release
β’ Dwayne Johnson Acclaimed
β’ Benny Safdie's Direction Praised
β’ MMA Authenticity Celebrated
β’ Extensive Prosthetic Work
β’ Realistic Fight Damage
β’ Aging Effects
β’ Physical Transformation