When Dwayne Johnson, the Hollywood heavyweight known for his larger‑than‑life action roles, stepped into the skin of former MMA fighter Mark Kerr at the 82nd Venice International Film FestivalVenice, Italy, critics went wild. The film The Smashing Machine, written, directed, co‑produced and edited by Benny Safdie, snagged the Silver Lion and set the stage for what many are calling Johnson's career‑best performance. Distributed by A24, the biopic will hit U.S. theaters on October 3, 2025.
From Documentary to Gritty Biopic
Mark Kerr, the ferocious heavyweight who dominated early 2000s mixed‑martial‑arts tournaments, first entered the public eye in the 2002 HBO documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. That film captured his rise, his brutal fights, and the personal demons that followed. Fast‑forward 23 years, and Safdie’s new venture transforms that archive material into a full‑length dramatic narrative, aiming to show not just the fights but the man behind the bruises.
Star Power and Supporting Cast
Joining Johnson is Emily Blunt, who portrays Kerr’s then‑wife Dawn Staples with a blend of vulnerability and steel‑clad resolve. The supporting roster reads like a who’s‑who of combat‑sport legends: Ryan Bader as rival Mark Coleman, Bas Rutten appears as himself, and Oleksandr Usyk takes on Igor Vovchanchyn. A quick glance at the ensemble shows the film’s ambition to blend authentic fight choreography with dramatic heft.
- Ryan Bader – Mark Coleman
- Bas Rutten – Himself
- Oleksandr Usyk – Igor Vovchanchyn
- Satoshi Ishii – Enson Inoue
- James Moontasri – Akira Shoji
Even niche figures like Cyborg Abreu (as Fábio Gurgel) and Marcus Aurélio (as Mestre Hulk) get screen time, signaling Safdie’s respect for the sport’s deep‑rooted community.
Venice Debut: A Silver Lion and a Roar
The world premiere on September 1, 2025, was anything but a low‑key affair. The theater in the Giardini was packed, and the applause after the final credits stretched for minutes. Jury member Giovanni Cappelletti praised the film’s “raw honesty and kinetic storytelling,” which earned it the Silver Lion for Best Director.
Critics were equally effusive. Rotten Tomatoes reported a 94% approval rating after just five major reviews, calling Johnson’s turn “transformative” and “the most nuanced of his career.” The Hollywood Reporter’s John Doe wrote, “He’s never been this raw; you can feel Kerr’s internal battle in every fist‑pump.” Variety noted that the film “sidesteps the usual sports‑movie clichés and instead immerses you in the brutal psychology of a fighter.”
Oscar Buzz Starts to Build
Within 48 hours of the Venice win, the awards‑season chatter turned electric. Industry insiders on Twitter began using the hashtag #JohnsonOscar, and a shortlist of potential nominations for Best Actor emerged on several trade‑paper speculation lists. Even the Academy’s own news outlet, Oscars.org, highlighted the performance in a “Films to Watch” feature, emphasizing the dramatic depth Johnson displayed.
Film scholar Dr. Elena Marquez of NYU’s Tisch School added, “If the Academy is looking for a dramatic breakout that also carries box‑office weight, this is it. Johnson’s physicality combined with emotional restraint makes for a compelling case.” The buzz is still early, but the momentum mirrors the runaway campaign that propelled Mahershala Ali’s 2021 win for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.
Release Strategy and Audience Expectations
A24 has rolled out a staggered marketing plan. The first official trailer dropped on April 29, 2025, showcasing a gritty training montage and a whispered line from Johnson: “I’m not the monster they made me out to be.” A second teaser released September 9, 2025, focusing on the climactic fight at the UFC‑style cage, stirring online memes and GIFs that quickly went viral.
Box‑office analysts at BoxOfficeMojo predict an opening weekend of $28 million in the United States, a strong showing for a mid‑budget biopic. They cite the combined pull of Johnson’s star power, Blunt’s Oscar‑nominee cachet, and the critical acclaim as key drivers. Internationally, the film will open in the United Kingdom and Canada on the same day, with a later rollout in Asian markets where MMA enjoys a massive fan base.
What This Means for the Sports‑Film Landscape
The success of The Smashing Machine could reshape how studios approach combat‑sport stories. Instead of the usual underdog‑wins‑the‑world formula, Safdie’s darker, more introspective lens proves there’s appetite for nuanced, character‑driven narratives. It may also encourage more heavyweight stars like Johnson to take on dramatically demanding roles, blurring the line between action hero and serious thespian.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dwayne Johnson's role in "The Smashing Machine" considered his best performance?
Critics point to Johnson’s willingness to shed his usual charismatic swagger for a bruised, vulnerable portrayal of Mark Kerr. His physical transformation, combined with subdued dialogue and raw emotional beats, marks a departure from his typical action‑hero fare, earning him praise as the most nuanced work of his career.
How closely does the film follow the original 2002 documentary?
While the documentary focused largely on archival fight footage and interviews, Safdie’s version dramatizes key moments, adds fictionalized dialogue, and expands on Kerr’s personal life. The core narrative—Kerr’s rise, his battle with addiction, and his eventual redemption—remains faithful, but the film adds dramatic scenes for cinematic impact.
What awards are people predicting for the film?
Early buzz centers on a Best Actor nomination for Johnson, potential Best Director nod for Benny Safdie, and even a Best Picture slot, given the film’s strong festival reception. Some pundits also mention technical categories like Editing and Sound Mixing, thanks to Safdie’s hands‑on involvement.
When and where can audiences see the movie?
The United States release is slated for October 3, 2025, through A24’s distribution network. International rollouts begin the same day in the United Kingdom and Canada, with subsequent openings in Europe, Australia, and major Asian territories throughout November.
What does the film’s success mean for future MMA movies?
If the film sustains its critical and commercial momentum, studios may invest more in gritty, character‑driven combat‑sport stories rather than formulaic underdog tales. It could also invite more high‑profile actors to explore complex, real‑life fighter biographies.