The Smashing Machine (2025) * * *

Directed by: Benny Safdie

Starring:  Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten

The Smashing Machine is the story of MMA pioneer Mark Kerr (Johnson), who came on to the scene in the late 1990's as the next big thing, and for a while he was until steroids and losing matches in Japan began to wear on him and his girlfriend Dawn (Blunt), who has substance abuse issues of her own.  The movie is well-crafted, an insider's movie that still manages to keep you somewhat outside, with Johnson transformed into Kerr courtesy of a jet black wig and makeup.  He looks like The Hulk minus the green body paint, but he has dimensions and an outwardly charming appeal.  But once the steroids and drugs take hold, they have the effect on him as gamma radiation did on The Hulk.

Johnson is up to the task of playing the affable Kerr, who goes out of his way to show love and respect to his fans and opponents, but his relationship with Dawn remains rocky.  The pre-release hype penciled in Johnson for a surefire Oscar nomination, but I think that may be hyperbole.  It's an effective, quirky performance in an effective, quirky movie.  The Smashing Machine isn't a typical sports biopic.  There is a "big match" at the end, but the match ends on a sour note and not with heroism or swelling music.  We see the real Kerr circa early 2025, and he's still living in the Phoenix area with a smile for everyone and a gait which suggest years of physical scars from the battles in the ring.

So that leaves us with the question:  Why make a movie about Mark Kerr?  Most people, with the exception of MMA insiders and hardcore fans, would know who he is.  The movie doesn't follow the traditional sports biopic arc of success, then failure, then a rebirth after dealing with the setbacks.  The movie doesn't conclude with Mark getting his hand raised in victory, but a a subtle laugh while taking a shower following another heartbreaking defeat.  The Smashing Machine isn't moving necessarily, but it is mostly involving enough to make it worth your while.