The Smashing Machine (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
The Smashing Machine (2025), directed and written by Benny Safdie, dives deep into the chaotic, painful, and emotional life of Mark Kerr, a former UFC and mixed martial arts legend whose fame came with an immense personal cost. This isn’t your typical sports biopic filled with heroic triumphs and motivational montages. Instead, Safdie crafts a gritty, slow-burning exploration of addiction, fame, and inner conflict — elevated by an astonishingly vulnerable performance from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Produced by A24, the studio known for its bold artistic choices and emotionally complex storytelling, The Smashing Machine feels like a fusion of documentary realism and raw character study. While it might not be a crowd-pleasing blockbuster, it’s a fascinating, haunting piece of cinema that lingers long after the credits roll.
Plot Summary: The Rise and Fall of Mark Kerr
Set in the late 1990s, the film follows Mark Kerr, an up-and-coming MMA fighter determined to become the world’s greatest. Yet behind his brute strength and fierce competitive spirit lies a man deeply trapped in his own demons. He battles opioid addiction, chronic pain, and a toxic relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn (played by Emily Blunt).
When his friend and fellow fighter Mark Coleman (played by Ryan Bader) rises to stardom, Kerr’s internal struggles intensify. Between fights, fame, and his dependency on painkillers, Kerr’s story becomes a heartbreaking reflection of how easily heroes can crumble under the weight of their own success.
Safdie’s direction mirrors the chaos of Kerr’s life — blending documentary-style realism with cinematic tension. It’s a world of sweat, noise, and loneliness, where every victory feels temporary and every defeat feels permanent.
Dwayne Johnson’s Most Transformative Performance Yet
If you’ve followed Dwayne Johnson’s career, you know him as the charismatic action star — larger than life, confident, and often playing the hero. The Smashing Machine completely flips that image. Here, Johnson vanishes into the role, both physically and emotionally. Covered in prosthetics and stripped of his trademark bravado, he becomes almost unrecognizable.
His portrayal of Mark Kerr is quiet, fragile, and disturbingly human. There are moments where his gentle tone contrasts with sudden bursts of rage — a man trying to control his inner chaos while his world falls apart. It’s easily Johnson’s most serious and artistically daring performance to date, and one that could redefine how Hollywood views him as an actor.
Emily Blunt also delivers a nuanced performance as Dawn, the woman torn between love and frustration, while Ryan Bader’s portrayal of Mark Coleman adds a genuine sense of brotherhood and emotional grounding to the film. Their friendship becomes the emotional heartbeat of the story — an unexpected light within the darkness.
Direction, Cinematography, and Soundtrack: The A24 Signature
As with most A24 productions, The Smashing Machine thrives on its distinct visual and emotional identity. Cinematographer Maceo Bishop uses muted lighting, close camera work, and handheld shots to give the film an almost documentary-like intimacy. It often feels as though we’re intruding on Kerr’s private moments — his training sessions, arguments, and relapses.
The soundtrack is another highlight. With a mix of ‘90s rock, melancholic instrumentals, and jazz-inspired background scores, it builds emotional layers that complement the film’s heavy tone. The fight scenes aren’t glorified; instead, they’re shot from outside the ring, fragmented by ropes or barriers — emphasizing that we’re observers, not participants. This creative choice gives the movie an anti-sports-film feel, stripping away glamour in favor of truth.
Themes and Symbolism: Beyond the Cage
At its core, The Smashing Machine isn’t just about fighting — it’s about self-destruction, redemption, and identity. Kerr’s addiction to painkillers symbolizes more than physical pain; it’s a reflection of emotional emptiness, fame pressure, and the inability to face one’s vulnerability.
Benny Safdie approaches the story with empathy, not glorification. He doesn’t romanticize Kerr’s downfall but instead presents it as a tragic, almost inevitable consequence of the world he inhabits. The movie’s title, The Smashing Machine, becomes metaphorical — referring not only to Kerr’s fighting prowess but also to the system that smashes people like him: the sport, the fame, and even the human body itself.
Critics’ Divide: A Masterpiece or a Missed Opportunity?
Since its release, The Smashing Machine has received mixed but passionate reactions from critics and audiences alike. Some praise it as an “emotional powerhouse” that finally shows The Rock’s acting depth, while others find it overly slow and emotionally distant.
Many viewers were surprised by the film’s quiet tone — expecting an adrenaline-filled sports drama but instead getting a melancholic, introspective portrait of addiction and friendship. Still, the craftsmanship is undeniable. The editing, sound design, and performances elevate it beyond a traditional biopic.
It’s not a perfect film. The pacing can drag in parts, and the story occasionally struggles to connect emotionally. But for those who appreciate character studies and psychological depth, it’s an unforgettable experience.
Where to Watch The Smashing Machine (2025) Online
As of October 2025, The Smashing Machine is not yet available for streaming or digital purchase. The film has had a theatrical run under A24, and streaming options are expected to follow soon.
Based on previous A24 release patterns, it’s likely that The Smashing Machine will become available for streaming on:
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Max (formerly HBO Max)
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Amazon Prime Video (Rental/Purchase)
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Apple TV+ (Rental/Purchase)
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Vudu
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Google Play Movies & YouTube
You can check its streaming availability anytime through JustWatch, which updates in real time as the film becomes available on various platforms.
For official news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content, visit the official A24 film page here.
Final Verdict: An Unflinching Portrait of a Fallen Champion
The Smashing Machine is not the kind of film you watch for excitement — it’s the kind you watch to feel something raw and unsettling. Benny Safdie transforms a story about MMA into a psychological drama about masculinity, addiction, and human fragility.
It’s visually haunting, emotionally layered, and carried by a career-defining performance from Dwayne Johnson. Though not flawless, it’s a bold experiment in biographical storytelling that refuses to follow Hollywood’s familiar formula. Whether you’re a fan of MMA, A24 dramas, or just curious to see The Rock like you’ve never seen him before, The Smashing Machine is absolutely worth watching when it becomes available online.
If you’re drawn to emotionally charged stories, add The Smashing Machine (2025) to your watchlist. It’s a film that challenges perceptions — about fame, masculinity, and what it truly means to win.
Stay updated on its release and streaming platforms via JustWatch.
Learn more about the production on A24’s official website.
When it finally arrives online, don’t miss the chance to experience one of the year’s most powerful and unexpected performances by Dwayne Johnson.
