When Benny Safdie, director ushered his latest project onto the big screen at the Toronto International Film FestivalToronto, Canada, audiences were treated to a gritty portrait that feels less like a conventional sports drama and more like a documentary‑style meditation on triumph and ruin.
The film, The Smashing Machine, chronicles the meteoric rise and heartbreaking decline of Mark Kerr, one of the early pioneers of mixed‑martial arts, and it does so through the eyes of a man no one expected to play him: Dwayne Johnson, best known as the larger‑than‑life action star “The Rock.” Johnson’s portrayal has been called a career‑defining turn, stripping away the Hollywood sheen that has long defined his on‑screen persona.
Background: Mark Kerr and the Birth of Modern MMA
Before he became a household name in the octagon, Mark Kerr was a dominant force in early UFC events, earning nicknames like "The Smashing Machine" for his brutal strength. His career, however, was riddled with substance‑abuse battles and injuries that left him haunted by the very sport he helped popularize. The film follows Kerr from his debut at UFC 9 in 1996 through his eventual decline in the early 2000s, painting a picture that is as much about the culture of extreme sport as it is about the man himself.
Historically, Kerr’s story has been told in fragmented documentaries, but Safdie’s approach aims to blend that archival footage with a dramatized narrative, creating a hybrid that feels both immediate and reflective.
Safdie’s Anti‑Biopic Vision
Safdie, who previously earned acclaim for his anxiety‑laden editing in collaborations with his brother Josh Safdie, deliberately sidestepped the glossy, triumphant tropes of classic sports movies. As noted by veteran critic Roger Ebert, “the director clearly attempts to make a sports movie that doesn’t lean into the expected clichés, employing an observational rather than immersive style.”
Instead of placing the camera inside the ring, Safdie positions it outside, often framing fights through broken ropes or from a bird’s‑eye view. This technique forces viewers to watch the violence as an observer, reminding them they are watching a constructed narrative rather than being swept up in the adrenaline.
Safdie’s anti‑biopic stance also extends to the soundtrack. A blend of pop‑rock anthems and a brooding, elastic score underscores scenes, constantly nudging the audience back to the fact that they are watching a film, not a live bout.
Performance Highlights: Johnson and Blunt
Johnson’s transformation is perhaps the most talked‑about element of the film. Critics from TheCinemaGroup gave the movie a perfect 10/10 on September 13, 2025, declaring, “Dwayne Johnson has never been better—he strips away the Hollywood sheen with a vulnerability we’ve never seen from him.” The review added that the actor “disappears into the role, emotionally and physically,” delivering a performance that feels both raw and meticulously crafted.
Equally compelling is Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples, Kerr’s volatile girlfriend. Blunt’s portrayal earned praise for its searing intensity, with Vague Visages noting her performance as “the film’s only immediately affecting performance,” capturing the borderline‑personality‑disorder nuances without slipping into cliché.
Supporting roles also add texture. Former UFC fighter Ryan Bader appears as MMA legend Mark Coleman, delivering a standout hospital confrontation scene that Films Fatale called “the strongest scene in the film.”
Technical Craft: 16mm Cinematography and Score
The visual language of The Smashing Machine owes much to Maceo Bishop, the cinematographer who shot the entire picture on 16mm film. Reviewers repeatedly described the grain‑heavy look as “gorgeous” and “documentary‑style,” noting that the format adds a tactile sense of immediacy that digital formats often lack.
The Rolling Tape highlighted that “Safdie’s direction and Bishop’s 16mm camera work look stunning on the big screen,” while also pointing out that the gritty aesthetic sometimes clashes with the film’s more conventional dramatics.
Music plays a dual role: the pop/rock tracks echo the era’s cultural backdrop, while the elastic score (composed by an as‑yet‑unannounced musician) knits the narrative threads together, reminding viewers of the film’s constructed nature.
Critical Reception: Praise, Disappointment, and Debate
- Universal acclaim for Johnson’s and Blunt’s performances.
- Consistent praise for Bishop’s 16mm cinematography.
- Divided opinion on narrative cohesion and fight choreography.
- Comparisons to “The Wrestler” (Aronofsky) and “Raging Bull” rather than traditional sports biopics.
While TheCinemaGroup positioned the film “closer to *The Wrestler* than *Rocky*,” The Rolling Tape called it “a major disappointment coming out of Toronto,” criticizing “sweaty fight sequences that aren’t exciting in the slightest.” Vague Visages went further, claiming Safdie “doesn’t bring anything new to the table in terms of style or ideas,” and that many dramatic scenes feel like “rehearsal skits rather than real conversations.”
These mixed reactions highlight a core tension: the film excels at texture and performance but falters in pacing and emotional resonance. As one critic summed up, the movie is “technically majestic yet undermined by poor storytelling and tonal unevenness.”
Box Office, Audience Reaction, and What’s Next
Initial box‑office numbers from Canada’s domestic market suggest a modest opening weekend, with $1.2 million grossed across 300 screens. However, streaming rights negotiations are already in motion, and a limited U.S. release is slated for early 2026. Audience polls at TIFF indicated a split: 62 % walked out after the fight sequences, while 38 % cited Johnson’s performance as “worth the ticket price.”
Looking ahead, Safdie hinted at a possible director’s cut that would re‑edit some of the slower fight scenes, potentially addressing critics’ concerns about pacing. Whether that version will ever see the light of day remains to be seen, but the conversation around The Smashing Machine is far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Dwayne Johnson’s performance differ from his previous roles?
Johnson sheds the confident, larger‑than‑life persona that defined his “Rock” days, opting for a frail, vulnerable portrayal of Mark Kerr. Critics note he “disappears into the role,” showing physical and emotional decline that contrasts sharply with his typical action‑hero image.
Why did Benny Safdie choose an anti‑biopic approach?
Safdie aimed to avoid the predictable triumph‑over‑adversity formula common in sports movies. By filming fights from outside the ring and using 16mm grain, he forces viewers to confront the brutality without the usual cinematic glamour, making the story feel more like a documentary than a feel‑good drama.
What impact did the film’s cinematography have on audiences?
Maceo Bishop’s 16mm work gave the film a raw, textured look that many reviewers praised as “gorgeous” and “documentary‑style.” The grain added a sense of immediacy, making fight scenes feel almost archival, though some viewers found the aesthetic at odds with the dramatic moments.
How does the movie compare to other sports dramas?
Critics repeatedly likened it to Darren Aronofsky’s *The Wrestler* and Martin Scorsese’s *Raging Bull*, noting its focus on personal ruin over victory. In contrast, traditional biopics like *Rocky* emphasize redemption, a direction Safdie deliberately avoided.
What are the prospects for a wider release?
After its TIFF debut, the film earned $1.2 million in its Canadian opening weekend. Negotiations for a U.S. theatrical run in early 2026 are underway, and streaming platforms have expressed interest in acquiring rights, suggesting broader audience exposure later this year.
