My Review of The Smashing Machine (2025)!!!- (⭐⭐⭐½ /5)

The Smashing Machine is the latest sports drama from acclaimed director Benny Safdie. Famous for directing cult classics such as Uncut Gems and Good Time, this is his experimental take on the life of amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr. I was pretty excited going into this film, anticipating how Benny would tackle the life of a fighter that has been lost in the pages of MMA, and safe to say that I was not disappointed at all.

The story follows the normal sports drama template: personal life, inner demons and redemption. Even though the screenplay is extremely binary and generic, Benny Safdie adds his magic touch and elevates this film from a vanilla biopic to a thought-provoking film that will have you in pieces by the end.

Dwayne Johnson brings his career-best performance to the table, displaying extreme vulnerability and rawness that has never been seen before. Emily Blunt portrays this horrible, selfish woman that emotionally manipulates and blackmails Mark, even to the point of committing suicide. The other cast, notably Ryan Bader, helps boost the emotional stakes of the film, making you feel sad and ultimately depressed.

The cinematography of this film is breathtaking. Maceo Bishop really drives this whole project, mixing a number of film formats such as 16mm, 70mm and VHS to create a personal, raw documentary-esque aesthetic. All of the fight scenes were shot using television cameras to recreate the old, film-grain texture of the original fights.

The music and background score by Nala Sinephro is possibly the best of the year so far, next to One Battle After Another and Tron: Ares. The slow, smooth, jazz-like score sets this biopic apart from all the other loud, angry ones and helps establish such strong emotional connections to each character. Kazu Hiro hits it out of the park with prosthetics and costume design (I couldn't even recognize DJ from the trailer), and Michael Love creates the perfect sets for each scene.

Although there are many positives, there are also quite a few negatives that I felt were glaring in the face of such a good film. The performances are great, but the screenplay is so restricted and confined that you can barely connect with Mark's character on a deeply emotional level.

Typically, I would sympathize and feel for a guy who is a drug addict, being abused by his girlfriend and facing severe career issues. However, the writer puts a chokehold on the script and emotionally disconnects the audience from digging their heels into each character. The score does establish a connection with Mark—showcasing his highest highs and lowest lows—but it's not enough to let the audience breathe and certainly can't sustain its runtime.

The ending is the biggest issue I faced with the film. There was a lingering shot of Mark Kerr in the shower room, crying tears of joy and acceptance, but then the film goes on to show an useless clip of the real Mark shopping inside a supermarket that did not provide a fitting concluding moment to the film.

Encompassing my thoughts, I enjoyed it and was glad to see that Benny Safdie can deviate from films that don't make you want to puke every 5 minutes. I do wish that the film was a bit more refined and sharper, but this is a sports drama that deserves a watch for its strong performances and cinematography.

⭐ Rating: 7/10 and check this one out if you enjoy sports biopics.