The Smashing Machine 2025
"The unforgettable true story of a UFC legend."
Directed by Benny Safdie, *The Smashing Machine (2025)* dives into the raw, unfiltered rise of Mark Kerr, a fighter chasing greatness in the brutal world of 1990s mixed martial arts.
Director: Benny Safdie
Cast
Dwayne Johnson
Mark Kerr
Emily Blunt
Dawn Staples
Ryan Bader
Mark Coleman
Bas Rutten
Bas Rutten
Oleksandr Usyk
Igor Vovchanchyn
Lyndsey Gavin
Elizabeth Coleman
Zoe Kosovic
McKenzie Coleman
Satoshi Ishii
Enson Inoue
James Moontasri
Akira Shoji
Yoko Hamamura
Kazuyuki Fujita
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Smashing Machine (2025) about?
*The Smashing Machine* follows Mark Kerr's journey as he fights for MMA supremacy while battling opioid addiction and a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn. The film blends sports drama with a deeply personal story of ambition and self-destruction.
Who directed The Smashing Machine?
Benny Safdie, known for his intense and visually striking films, directs *The Smashing Machine*.
Who stars in The Smashing Machine?
Dwayne Johnson leads the cast as Mark Kerr, joined by Emily Blunt as Dawn, alongside Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.
Is The Smashing Machine (2025) worth watching?
If you're drawn to raw, character-driven dramas with sports undercurrents, *The Smashing Machine* delivers a gripping narrative. Safdie's direction and a powerhouse cast make it a compelling watch, especially for fans of biographical films that don't shy away from gritty realism.
How long is The Smashing Machine?
The Smashing Machine (2025) has a runtime of 123 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About The Smashing Machine (2025) — The raw rise and fall of a UFC legend in Benny Safdie's gripping drama
Directed by Benny Safdie, *The Smashing Machine (2025)* dives into the raw, unfiltered rise of Mark Kerr, a fighter chasing greatness in the brutal world of 1990s mixed martial arts. As his ambition burns bright, so does his struggle against the grip of opioid addiction, all while navigating a turbulent romance with his partner Dawn. This drama doesn't just spotlight Kerr's battles inside the octagon—it lays bare the personal storms he faced outside of it, where victory felt fleeting and defeat lingered in every punch thrown. With Safdie's signature intensity and a cast that electrifies the screen, the film captures the paradox of ambition and self-destruction, where the line between hero and cautionary tale blurs with every fight night.
Set against a gritty backdrop of late-'90s combat sports, *The Smashing Machine* is a visceral exploration of resilience, fame, and the cost of chasing legacy. Dwayne Johnson takes on the role of Kerr, embodying the fighter's physical dominance and emotional vulnerability, while Emily Blunt delivers a charged performance as Dawn, whose love is both a lifeline and a mirror to Kerr's struggles. The film's drama unfolds like a modern Greek tragedy, where every triumph is shadowed by the specter of personal demons, making it a story that resonates far beyond the ropes.
