The Smashing Machine Movie Review: Dwayne Johnson Finally Proves His Acting Power in Benny Safdie’s Intense Yet Imperfect Drama!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨
Star Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Lyndsey Gavin, Ryan Bader
Director: Benny Safdie
Runtime: 123 Minutes
Available On: Theatrical Release
Language: English (with subtitles)
Intro: Dwayne Johnson Finally Steps Out of His Comfort Zone!
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson — the name itself screams power, charisma, and box office magnetism. But let’s be honest — we’ve mostly seen him doing action, comedy, or big franchise roles. The Smashing Machine changes that completely! Directed by Benny Safdie (of Uncut Gems fame), this film gives Johnson the kind of performance space he has rarely been allowed before.
Safdie’s world is messy, chaotic, and emotionally charged — and this time, The Rock isn’t smashing buildings but breaking emotional barriers.
What’s the Movie About?
The film is based on the real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr, known as “The Smashing Machine.” It explores his rise in the brutal world of mixed martial arts while dealing with fame, addiction, love, and internal demons.
We see Kerr as a man torn between his passion for fighting and his struggle to find emotional peace. Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples, his partner who tries to hold him together as his fame spirals out of control.
It’s not your typical “sports movie” with underdog wins and slow-motion punches. Instead, The Smashing Machine dives deep into the psychological and emotional chaos behind the fighter’s life — which makes it raw, powerful, but also uneven at times.
Script Analysis: Great Intentions, Uneven Execution
Let’s be real — Benny Safdie is known for making stressful, anxiety-inducing cinema (Uncut Gems anyone?). He brings that same nervous energy here, but this time the storytelling isn’t as tight.
The script tries to blend sports, drama, and emotional depth, but the balance sometimes slips. The back-and-forth narrative structure (jumping between timelines) makes it confusing in parts. Some dialogues also feel a bit forced — like they were written to sound meaningful, but don’t always land naturally.
However, the emotional authenticity is undeniable. The movie succeeds in making us feel Kerr’s pain — the frustration of a man who can fight the world but not his own demons.
If only the pacing in the second act had been sharper, this could’ve been a knockout film. Instead, it occasionally drags, especially in the middle section.
Performances: Dwayne Johnson Steals the Show
This is The Rock like you’ve never seen before. Forget the superhero muscles — here he’s vulnerable, broken, and human.
For years, critics have said Johnson plays the same role in every movie — confident, charming, invincible. But here, he completely transforms himself. His performance is raw, full of suppressed anger and pain. It’s the kind of performance that makes you think, “Wow, he can really act!”
Emily Blunt once again proves she’s among the best actresses working today. She brings emotional balance to Johnson’s chaos. Their chemistry feels mature and real — especially in the quieter moments where they’re both trying to save something that’s already broken.
Ryan Bader and Lyndsey Gavin do justice to their roles, but this film truly belongs to Johnson and Blunt.
Direction & Cinematography: Safdie’s Signature Chaos
Director Benny Safdie continues his signature filmmaking style — handheld camera work, fast cuts, close-ups that make you feel trapped inside the character’s head.
There’s an intense realism in every frame — the sweat, the blood, the crowd noise, everything feels alive. However, the direction sometimes gets too experimental for its own good. The film lacks a bit of focus — it wants to be a sports film, a love story, and a psychological study, all at once.
Still, Safdie’s ability to create emotional tension remains unmatched. You can feel the pressure building in every fight, not just physically but emotionally.
Music & Background Score: Loud Yet Powerful
Composer Nala Sinephro brings an unconventional soundtrack — a mix of jazz, ambient, and percussion-heavy chaos that perfectly matches the film’s tone.
Sometimes it feels a bit overwhelming, but maybe that’s intentional — after all, the film is about a man constantly at war with himself. The music plays like another character — unpredictable and haunting.
Technical Aspects: A High-Value Productio
From the set design to the lighting, everything screams authenticity. The MMA fight scenes are choreographed with brutal realism. The costume design helps separate timelines and adds depth to the storytelling.
Editing could’ve been tighter, especially in the middle, where some sequences stretch longer than necessary. But the cinematography by Darius Khondji captures both the madness of the ring and the loneliness outside it beautifully.
What’s Good
✅ Dwayne Johnson’s career-best performance
✅ Emily Blunt’s strong emotional support
✅ Realistic portrayal of MMA and athlete struggles
✅ Powerful background score and raw direction
✅ High production quality
What’s Bad
❌ Uneven pacing — especially in the second act
❌ Some dialogue feels artificial
❌ Narrative structure is a bit confusing
❌ Could’ve used more focus on the “sports” side
Loo Break
Midway through the film, around the 70-minute mark — there’s a stretch where the narrative slows down. That’s your chance for a quick break before the final emotional knockout.
Watch or Not?
Absolutely YES — especially if you’re a Dwayne Johnson fan or love character-driven dramas.
This isn’t your typical popcorn flick — it’s intense, emotional, and flawed, but worth the ride. You’ll see The Rock like never before — fragile, human, and powerful in a completely new way.
The Last Word
The Smashing Machine may not be perfect, but it’s a bold, emotional experiment that pays off more often than it fails. Dwayne Johnson finally breaks free from his “action hero” mold and gives a heartfelt, layered performance.
It’s a movie that punches hard — not just in the ring, but in the heart.
Benny Safdie’s direction, while messy, is filled with energy and vision. The result? A film that’s equal parts brutal and beautiful.
If you’re in the mood for something intense, dramatic, and deeply human — The Smashing Machine will definitely leave a mark.
The Smashing Machine Trailer
(You can embed the official trailer here once it’s available on YouTube)
Final Verdict:
3.5 Stars out of 5 ⭐⭐⭐✨
A flawed yet fascinating drama that gives Dwayne Johnson his most powerful role to date.
