Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s newest movie is now playing in theaters! The Smashing Machine premiered this past week. The film, directed by Josh Safdie, tells the story of Mark Kerr, a well-known figure in the world of mixed martial arts. Johnson has been very excited about promoting the movie, calling it a project he truly cares about. While it might appear to be a typical sports movie, Johnson believes it’s actually much deeper than just a “fight movie.”
Judging by the trailers for The Smashing Machine, it’s clear that Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, and the rest of the team dedicated a significant amount of effort to the fight choreography. (I’m really looking forward to seeing those matches unfold on the big screen!) But the film offers more than just what happens with Mark Kerr during the fights. Dwayne Johnson spoke with Deadline at the LA premiere and shared his overall perspective on the movie:
He happened to be a skilled fighter, truly excellent at what he did. However, this isn’t a film *about* fighting; it’s a story about life itself.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has emphasized that he and his team went beyond just focusing on Mark Kerr’s athletic achievements. Those involved also wanted to create a complex and insightful film, portraying many different facets of Kerr’s life, not just his career. This was a wise decision, as many highly-regarded sports movies take a similar approach – Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull is a perfect illustration of a film with that kind of depth. As Johnson explained, Kerr’s life story, much like that of Jake LaMotta, is full of both triumphs and challenges:
Mark Kerr’s story is relatable to many people, not because he was the best fighter ever, but because he faced common struggles. He dealt with intense pressure, both in his career and personal life, and battled addiction. He also experienced significant physical pain. While he was once at the very top of his sport, he eventually faced defeat, and it was difficult for him to come to terms with that loss.
As a mixed martial artist, Kerr experienced both victories and defeats – not just in his fights, but in life generally. He also faced personal challenges, including battling addiction. His relationship with his ex-wife, Dawn Staples, was often difficult and has been widely talked about. The Rock and the team were fortunate enough to have Kerr on set, and this was a deeply impactful experience for the star of The Smashing Machine, considering everything he’d been through.
He experienced two overdoses, and thankfully, he survived. I’m incredibly relieved he’s still with us. You see, with biographical films like this one, the subject is often deceased. It’s common for the person the film is about to not be alive anymore. So, I’m very grateful that he is.
Everyone is discussing how impressive Dwayne Johnson is in The Smashing Machine, and while that’s true, I want to highlight another fantastic performance he delivered. It’s easy to focus on that role, but let’s also appreciate his acting in another film.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson dedicated himself to the physical demands of the role, and surprisingly, he actually gained even more muscle despite already being in great shape. His co-star, Emily Blunt (playing Staples), said people were astonished by his transformation. He even hurt his elbow while filming a challenging scene where he had to force his way through doors. (Now that’s commitment to his craft!)
To be honest, Dwayne Johnson clearly enjoyed being part of telling Mark Kerr’s story. He’s mentioned before that working on the film actually helped him deal with some personal challenges from his own life. Because of that, I wouldn’t be shocked if viewers left the theater after watching Smashing Machine feeling like they’d seen something truly moving and releasing. It’s not that fight scenes aren’t good – they are! – but the quieter, more personal moments in a sports movie can often be even more impactful.
As a total film buff, I have to tell you about The Smashing Machine – it’s seriously one of the biggest releases of 2025 and it’s playing in theaters right now! And if you’re like me and love discovering new films, definitely keep an eye on what A24 has coming up – they still have some amazing titles scheduled to drop before the year is out.
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2025-10-05 02:44