“The Smashing Machine”: Dwayne Johnson Delivers a Knockout in Benny Safdie’s Unsensationalist MMA Biopic

 At the heart of The Smashing Machine, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gives one of his most transformative performances to date — and it's not the typical blockbuster spectacle fans are used to. Directed by Benny Safdie, this gritty MMA biopic dives deep into the psyche of real-life UFC fighter Mark Kerr with a rawness that defies boxing-movie clichés.

A Departure from Action Hero Tropes

Johnson steps away from his action-hero persona, using prosthetics and a haunting physicality to morph into Kerr. He adopted a softer vocal delivery (guide by voice coach Liz Himelstein) and underwent a multi-hour makeup transformation—13 to 14 prosthetic pieces applied in 3 to 4 hours—to truly disappear into the character.MMA FightingThe Times of India

Rather than shotgun fight scenes, Safdie applies a handheld, naturalistic visual style that mirrors early MMA’s raw brutality and frames Kerr’s battles as deeply human, not sensational.ReutersThe IndependentTime Out Worldwide

Emotion Over Spectacle

Critics have lauded this version of Johnson as vulnerable and transformative. On Metacritic, the film holds a “generally favorable” score of 75/100, with praise highlighting the film's subtle, moving approach and Johnson's undercutting of his usual persona.Metacriticwww.ndtv.comMoneycontrol

Reviews describe Johnson as delivering his most stripped-down performance yet:

• The Independent calls it “the most raw and vulnerable Johnson has ever been on screen.”www.ndtv.comThe Independent

• Time notes the conflicted fighter “a lover, a fighter, an athlete, a winner and a loser, all mixed up in one human being.”TIME

• Critics highlight the film’s refusal to deliver easy triumph, focusing instead on the gritty emotional journey.The Daily BeastNew York Post

Mixed Reactions, Unified Admiration

While some critiques point to a thin narrative or lack of dramatic payoff, most recognize Johnson’s performance as himself stripped away — powerful not for heroic swagger, but for emotional honesty.The Daily BeastNew York PostReutersThe Guardian

The film has sparked buzz at major festivals — Venice and Toronto — where Johnson’s lean transformation and commitment did not go unnoticed. Fans even took to social media, dubbing him “The Pebble.”New York PostReutersPeople.com

Once the Ring is Silent

Beyond fight sequences, the movie shines in its pause: the breakdowns, Kerr’s addiction to painkillers, his unstable relationships. The tension lies in these cracks — not in knockouts.Time Out WorldwideReutersThe Guardianwww.ndtv.com

A notable cinematic moment includes Kerr’s post-defeat fragility, which lands with devastating clarity.The GuardianTime Out Worldwide

Johnson’s Career Pivot?

Dwayne Johnson's involvement in The Smashing Machine signals a potential shift—away from tentpole blockbusters toward stories of complex humanity. Emily Blunt, his co-star, praises the “effortless immersion” and emotion they achieved together.Vanity FairReuters

With its Venice screening and festival acclaim, the film positions Johnson not just as a star, but as a serious actor willing to relinquish his trademark image for authenticity.

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In Summary

• Role: Dwayne Johnson becomes Mark Kerr in a physically and emotionally intense portrayal.

• Style: Gritty, handheld, unsensationalized — a character study, not a triumphalist sports drama.

• Performance: Widely hailed as vulnerable, raw, and Johnson’s best yet.

• Critique: Some note thin scripting, but most agree the emotional impact outweighs narrative gaps.

• Significance: Marks a bold move in Johnson’s career toward deeper, more human storytelling.

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