‘The Smashing Machine’ Trailer: Dwayne Johnson Is Unrecognizable as UFC Legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s Biopic From A24
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A24 unveils the first official trailer for The Smashing Machine, and it’s clear Dwayne Johnson has never gone this raw, real, or radically transformed on screen.
Dwayne Johnson disappears beneath bruises, bulk, and heartbreak in the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, a gritty MMA biopic directed by Benny Safdie and distributed by A24. The film tells the true story of UFC icon Mark Kerr, a man whose dominance in the cage was matched only by his personal demons outside of it.
Safdie — known for co-directing Uncut Gems and Good Time with his brother Josh — makes his solo directorial debut with the film, marking a new chapter for both him and Johnson. This is a radically different turn for the actor-producer, who trades charisma for quiet collapse as Kerr, the heavyweight champion undone by addiction, fame, and self-destruction.
Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, in a performance that promises to bring the same steel and soul she’s known for. Blunt and Johnson last appeared together in Disney’s Jungle Cruise, but The Smashing Machine is miles from family fare. This is emotional territory, shot through with bruised masculinity and fractured love.
The supporting cast includes UFC legend Bas Rutten, newcomer Lyndsey Gavin, and boxer Oleksandr Usyk. The film draws inspiration from the 2002 HBO documentary of the same name, which chronicled Kerr’s rise and unraveling during the golden age of no-holds-barred fighting.
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Safdie, who also wrote the screenplay, produces the film alongside Johnson, Dany Garcia, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, and David Koplan. Executive producing is Tracey Landon.
Johnson told Variety that The Smashing Machine is part of a new chapter in his career. “I’m at a point where I want to make films that matter—films that explore humanity, struggle, and pain,” he said. “Benny creates stories that are raw and real. That’s what pulled me in.”
The Smashing Machine hits theaters October 3, and if this first trailer is any indication, we’re in for something both physically brutal and emotionally devastating.
Watch The Smashing Machine Trailer Below :
