Film opinion: Dwayne Johnson is taking a big swing in ‘The Smashing Machine’
Dwayne Johnson’s upcoming role in director Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine is one hell of a departure.
Johnson, aka The Rock, is stepping out of his comfort zone to take on a truly dramatic world by a renowned indie filmmaker.
Film News Blitz’s David Bason celebrates Johnson’s bold move and reacts to The Smashing Machine trailer.
What is ‘The Smashing Machine’ about?
Written and directed by Safdie, one half of the Safdie brothers that have generated exemplary works such as Good Time and Uncut Gems, The Smashing Machine follows the story of legendary mixed martial arts & UFC fighter Mark Kerr, played by Johnson.
Based on true events and inspired by the 2002 documentary of the same name, The Smashing Machine will follow Kerr as he rises through the MMA world before getting afflicted by an opioid addiction.
Who is Dwayne Johnson?
This question isn’t one many people ask.
Johnson is of course, a world-renowned superstar who shot to fame as WWE wrestler The Rock before transitioning to acting.
He has since built an impressive career as an actor/producer, becoming a leading force in the Fast & Furious franchise as well as taking the lead in several high-scale action films, often produced through his company Seven Bucks Productions.
The Rock’s acting CV is largely comprised of action and comedy, and it’s fair to say he doesn’t flex his acting chops as much as he does his muscles in the WWE ring.
Instead, Johnson has become known for typecast roles, relying on his physicality and humour during his performances.
So what’s different this time around?
Johnson’s casting by Safdie isn’t as surprising as one might think at first glance.
The MMA world is obviously more brutal, violent and a purer sporting product than the entertainment-driven WWE, but the physicality and determination required to succeed will no doubt have resonated with Johnson’s personal experiences.
But, as seen in the trailer where prosthetics make Johnson almost unrecognisable, The Smashing Machine goes down a dark road of personal plight and addiction that cements this as a dramatic role in every sense.
After decades performing predominantly one-note characters, this is a brave and bold choice by Johnson.
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In the trailer, the snippets we see of Johnson’s performance under the prosthetics of Oscar-winning makeup artist Kazu Hiro show significant signs of promise and no doubt his on-screen partnership with Emily Blunt, who portrays Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples will be a helpful factor.
Johnson and Blunt have worked together before in Disney’s Jungle Cruise and it’s said the English actress helped connect The Smashing Machine lead with Safdie, having starred with him in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.
Johnson and Blunt have also landed roles in an in-the-works Martin Scorsese movie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, showing The Rock really is taking a leap into prestige film.
His portrayal as Kerr in The Smashing Machine can be judged by the world when it releases in cinemas on October 3, 2025.
Check out the trailer below.
