If I had a nickel for every time a Safdie brother directed a film based on a relatively unknown competitor in a niche sport that was distributed by A24 in the year 2025, I’d have two nickels, which isn’t a lot…. 

The first Safdie to go solo, Benny, came out literally swinging with “The Smashing Machine,” an adaptation of the documentary of the same name profiling a window into the peak years of former MMA fighter, Mark Kerr (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). 

This film was highly anticipated by both fans of the Safdie brothers and casual movie-goers alike for its inclusion of The Rock in his first ‘serious’ dramatic role of his career. 

While he does turn in an exceptionally grounded and immersive performance, the film itself feels somewhat dull. 

Being adapted from a documentary, the film’s cinematography centers around the viewer feeling like they are getting true glances of everyday life in the world of mixed martial arts. 

Shot from around hallway corners or through kitchen windows, the camera at all times feels both intrusive and invisible. 

Especially so during scenes involving Kerr and his on/off girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt) where their performances cut deep and invoke a feeling of guilt to even be witnessing. 

The heart of the film is Kerr grappling with his own shortcomings in the harsh face of superstardom. 

An undefeated physical specimen who must confront who he is when the wins don’t come so easily and his own identity when he’s not a winning fighter. 

Blunt and The Rock both turn in terrific performances in their respective roles, but the film’s undying commitment to realism hurts the pacing and can make some scenes slog along. 

The Rock may just get an Oscar nod for his work, but the film itself will likely not stick in the cultural zeitgeist as all involved may have hoped it would. 

Nevertheless, it’s a good debut film from one half of the Safdie brothers and bodes well for his future work. 

Overall Score: 7/10

Categories: Arts & Entertainment