Who is Mark Kerr? Overview of 'The Smashing Machine'
Dwayne Johnson's latest film, The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, portrays the life of former UFC champion Mark Kerr. The biographical drama explores Kerr's success inside the cage and his personal battles with addiction and heartbreak.
Film Details and Reception
The movie premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, receiving praise for Johnson’s emotionally intense performance. To fully capture Kerr’s look, Johnson spent three to four hours daily in makeup, using more than a dozen prosthetics.
“Johnson delivers one of his most emotionally raw performances.”
Despite high hopes for Oscar recognition and Safdie’s trademark realism, the film failed to attract a wide audience. It opened in theaters on October 3 but grossed only $20.2 million worldwide on a $40 million budget.
Box Office and Streaming Release
By early November, the film had largely disappeared from theaters, leading to an earlier-than-expected digital release. Fans can now stream The Smashing Machine through various platforms.
Summary
Mark Kerr’s story is brought to life in a gritty, emotionally charged film that, despite critical acclaim and Johnson’s committed performance, struggled commercially but quickly became available for streaming.
Would you like the streaming platforms where the film is available included?