The Rock is the smashing machine in Benny Safdie’s new biopic about MMA fighter, Mark Kerr!
I have to be honest: when I first heard Dwayne Johnson would star in Safdie’s new drama, I was a little sceptical. Not because I think Johnson is a bad actor, but because he hasn’t really done anything like this before. Thankfully, I’m glad The Rock was able to pull off his best performance yet.
The Smashing Machine is about the life of Mark Kerr, an MMA fighter who struggles with addiction and mental health. Mark’s story isn’t just inspirational, but also heartbreaking at times , and Johnson was able to convey all of that through his acting.
Benny Safdie is known for his great thrillers, and while this might not go down as one of his very best, it’s definitely still a strong watch. I love the cinematography in this film; it feels very nostalgic. He used VHS cameras for some of the scenes, and honestly, it just took me back over 20 years. The opening scene was fantastic.
The inclusion of real MMA fighters adds so much to the overall film, as the fight scenes not only look phenomenal but also feel very immersive. Now to the story: while Mark’s journey is great, I don’t think the movie does it full justice.
I feel like the film needed a few more scenes for context, especially during the first act. I was a little thrown off by some character choices, since there’s no explanation for their actions. I get why Mark developed an addiction, but I wanted to see more of that struggle and his recovery.
Once again, The Rock was great — he really transformed into Mark Kerr. But Emily Blunt, as Dawn Staples (Mark’s partner), was phenomenal. Their chemistry was excellent. The rest of the cast was decent, though unfortunately not all of them were strong.
I also applaud the production team. Dwayne looks almost exactly like Mark, and the production design is fantastic. It transports you to the late 1990s and early 2000s. So, is this movie worth watching? Yes. It’s still a fantastic film.
It deals with heavy subject matter that might be triggering, but I’m glad it doesn’t shy away from the realities of addiction and mental health. I can see myself watching this again — and who knows, I might end up liking it even more on a rewatch. I can definitely recommend it, especially if you’re into sports movies or biopics.
