For years, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been the undisputed king of the four-quadrant blockbuster, a larger-than-life persona who reliably saves the day with a raised eyebrow and a witty one-liner. But in Benny Safdie’s ‘The Smashing Machine,’ Johnson strips away every ounce of that mega-watt celebrity to deliver a raw, vulnerable, and startlingly transformative performance. This isn’t a traditional sports biopic; it’s a gritty, intimate, and endearing character study that defies every expectation.
A Departure from the Formula, What Makes This an “Anti-Awards-Bait” Film?
The term “awards bait” often brings to mind sweeping scores, dramatic speeches, and a clear, inspirational arc. Safdie, one half of the Safdie brothers known for their stressful, frenetic films like Uncut Gems, actively avoids this playbook.
- Gritty Intimacy Over Grand Spectacle: The film focuses less on the glory of victory and more on the painful, unglamorous reality of the fighter’s life outside the ring.
- Emotional Rawness Over Sentimentality: There are no easy answers or tidy resolutions. The film sits in the uncomfortable spaces of addiction, love, and physical pain.
- Character Over Plot: The narrative is driven by Mark Kerr’s internal struggles rather than a checklist of his career highlights.
Dwayne Johnson: The Performance We Didn’t See Coming
This is the “do-over” Johnson has been seeking a chance to be recognized not as a movie star, but as a serious, nuanced actor. His performance as real-life MMA pioneer Mark Kerr is a revelation.
- Physical Transformation: Johnson embraced Kerr’s hulking, powerful physique, but it’s the physicality of pain the wincing, the limping, the weariness that truly impresses.
- Vulnerability: We see Kerr grappling with addiction to painkillers, the strain on his relationship with his wife Dawn (played brilliantly by Emily Blunt), and his own insecurities. Johnson portrays this fragility with a honesty he has rarely shown on screen.
- Breaking the Persona: The charismatic, confident “Rock” persona is entirely gone. In its place is a man who is deeply human, flawed, and struggling.
Benny Safdie’s Direction: Creating Uncomfortable Authenticity
Safdie’s signature style is all over this film, but refined into a more focused, character-driven package.
- Documentary-Style Realism: The use of handheld cameras, natural lighting, and sparse scoring makes the viewer feel like a fly-on-the-wall in Kerr’s tumultuous life.
- High-Stakes Stress: While less relentlessly frantic than Uncut Gems, Safdie masterfully builds tension around Kerr’s personal battles, making them feel as high-stakes as any championship fight.
- A Focus on Relationship Dynamics: The heart of the film is the turbulent but loving relationship between Mark and Dawn. Their scenes together are emotionally charged, messy, and deeply authentic.
Key Takeaways from the Film:
- Dwayne Johnson delivers a career-best performance that is raw, vulnerable, and completely transformative.
- It’s an “anti-biopic” that favors gritty character study over inspirational sports clichés.
- The direction from Benny Safdie is immersive and authentic, pulling the audience directly into the story’s emotional core.
- Emily Blunt is a powerful supporting force, providing the film with its emotional anchor.
The Verdict: A Triumph of Performance and Direction
‘The Smashing Machine’ is a bold, successful gamble. It’s a testament to Dwayne Johnson’s untapped dramatic depth and Benny Safdie’s unique vision as a filmmaker. For fans of traditional, uplifting sports movies, it may feel challenging. But for those seeking a genuinely human story about struggle, love, and addiction, told with unflinching honesty, this film is a profound knockout.
It proves that the most compelling battles aren’t always fought in the cage; they’re fought within. For more analysis on groundbreaking films and performances, be sure to check out our other articles on recentnews.live.
To learn more about the real Mark Kerr, you can read his story on ESPN. For more on A24’s innovative films, visit their official site here.