Directed by Benny Safdie.
The Smashing Machine (2025) was released in the United States on October 3, 2025.
Distributed by A24.
Movie Review
The Smashing Machine (2025) is a powerful sports drama about MMA legend Mark Kerr and his struggles with fame, addiction, and identity.
Dwayne Johnson gives one of his best performances, showing a more emotional and real side than fans usually see.
Directed by Benny Safdie, the film feels raw and realistic, focusing on the tough reality behind the world of fighting.
Emily Blunt shines as Kerr’s supportive but heartbroken partner, bringing emotional balance to the story.
The fight scenes are intense and well-shot, while the quiet moments show the pain behind the glory.
Though a bit slow at times, the movie’s honesty and depth make it stand out.
The Smashing Machine is not just about fighting, it’s about a man trying to survive himself.
A must-watch for those who love true stories filled with heart and struggle.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 72%
• Google Audience Score: 75% liked this movie.
The Smashing Machine Actors
Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr
DOB: May 2, 1972.
Bio: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is an American actor, producer, and former professional wrestler who became one of Hollywood’s most bankable and charismatic stars.
Known for his commanding screen presence, work ethic, and range from action spectacle to heartfelt drama, Johnson has successfully transitioned from WWE fame to global film stardom.
Role: Johnson stars as Mark Kerr, the real-life wrestler and early MMA icon known as “The Smashing Machine.”
The film explores Kerr’s rise to fame, his struggles with addiction, and the toll of the brutal sport on his body and psyche.
Johnson underwent major physical and emotional preparation, adding bulk and studying Kerr’s fighting style to capture both his dominance and vulnerability.
What to Expect: A raw, transformative performance emphasizing authenticity and internal struggle over typical action-hero energy.
Interesting facts: Johnson took a significant pay cut to help finance the film’s independent production and ensure creative freedom for director Benny Safdie.
He has described the project as one of the most demanding and personal of his career.
Notable Works: The Fast and the Furious franchise, Jumanji, Pain & Gain, Ballers.
Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples
DOB: February 23, 1983.
Bio: British actress celebrated for her versatility across genres, from sharp comedies to intense dramas and large-scale blockbusters.
Known for her expressive subtlety and emotional intelligence, she has earned critical acclaim and major awards recognition for roles that balance strength, vulnerability, and wit.
Role: Dawn Staples, the longtime partner of Mark Kerr.
As Kerr’s emotional anchor, Dawn navigates the strain of his fame, substance abuse, and physical decline.
Her role embodies love under pressure, a portrait of resilience and heartbreak that grounds the film’s raw physicality in human emotion.
What to Expect: Grounded, quietly fierce acting that matches Johnson’s physicality with emotional detail.
Interesting facts: Blunt helped connect collaborators on the project and was noted in press as instrumental in tightening the film’s dramatic throughline.
Notable Works: The Devil Wears Prada, Edge of Tomorrow, Sicario, A Quiet Place.
Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman
DOB: June 7, 1983.
Bio: American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler best known for his championship success in Bellator MMA and the UFC.
A two-division Bellator titleholder and former NCAA Division I wrestler from Arizona State University, Bader is widely respected for his discipline, power, and technical skill.
Role: Mark Coleman, the legendary MMA pioneer and close friend-turned-rival of Mark Kerr.
The film explores their shared rise in the brutal early days of mixed martial arts, a story of camaraderie, competition, and the toll of physical sacrifice.
What to Expect: Natural fight presence, convincing physicality and an ease in locker-room and fight sequences.
Interesting facts: Bader trained specifically for acting and stunt work for the film and has publicly shared behind-the-scenes photos with Kerr.
Notable Works: Longtime MMA champion (Bellator/PFL/UFC); first major acting credit.
Lyndsey Gavin as Kelley (Coleman)
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Canadian actor and voice performer based in Vancouver, known for her nuanced screen presence and natural emotional delivery.
She has built a steady career across television, independent films, and commercial work, earning recognition for her ability to ground complex scenes with authenticity and subtlety.
Role: Kelley (Coleman), the partner of Mark Coleman.
Her character provides a vital emotional lens through which the audience experiences the off-ring reality of professional fighters, balancing love, worry, and the strain of a life tied to combat sports.
What to Expect: Quiet but important scenes that reveal the personal costs of the MMA world on relationships and family.
Interesting facts: Gavin was singled out in festival writeups for turning small, intimate scenes into emotional anchors.
Notable Works: Various TV and independent film credits; rising profile.
Zoe Kosovic as McKenzie Coleman
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Young Canadian actor steadily gaining recognition for her naturalistic performances and emotional honesty on screen.
Known for bringing quiet depth to her roles, she has appeared in several independent productions and short films that showcase her expressive range and commitment to authenticity.
Role: McKenzie Coleman, a family member within Mark Coleman’s circle.
Through her role, the film explores how the intense and punishing MMA lifestyle reverberates at home, affecting the next generation.
What to Expect: Grounded, reactive scenes that make the fighters’ personal lives feel lived in.
Interesting facts: Kosovic’s casting joins several rising actors and real fighters in the film’s mix of pros and newcomers.
Notable Works: Emerging credits in film and TV.
Bas Rutten ‘as’ Bas Rutten (self)
DOB: February 24, 1965.
Bio: Bas Rutten is a legendary Dutch mixed martial artist, kickboxer, and commentator who became one of the most respected pioneers of the sport.
A former Pancrase and UFC Heavyweight Champion, Rutten transitioned into broadcasting and acting.
Role: Rutten appears as himself, representing the real-world figures who defined the early era of MMA.
His scenes add a sense of authenticity and historical grounding to The Smashing Machine, reflecting the camaraderie, respect, and challenges faced by fighters in the 1990s.
What to Expect: Charismatic, knowledgeable cameo moments and a lived-in sense of the fight world’s inside language.
Interesting facts: Rutten’s involvement bridges the real MMA community and the film, and he appears in press alongside other actual fighters in the cast.
Notable Works: Former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Here Comes the Boom, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Sinners and Saints.
Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn
DOB: January 17, 1987.
Bio: Ukrainian professional boxer and reigning undisputed heavyweight champion, widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted fighters of his generation.
Known for his exceptional footwork, defensive mastery, and ring intelligence, Usyk’s transition into acting marks a new chapter in his storied athletic career.
Role: Igor Vovchanchyn, one of the most feared and respected MMA fighters of the 1990s.
As a rival and opponent to Mark Kerr, Vovchanchyn represents the raw, unfiltered side of the sport, power, endurance, and pride.
What to Expect: Athletic, believable ring work and a stoic, intense portrayal of a ferocious competitor.
Interesting facts: Usyk’s real-life training for the film overlapped with his championship boxing schedule, drawing attention from both sports and entertainment media.
Notable Works: Undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, high-profile world title fights.
Satoshi Ishii as Enson Inoue
DOB: December 19, 1986.
Bio: Japanese Olympic gold medalist in judo and an accomplished mixed martial artist.
After winning gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Ishii transitioned into MMA, competing internationally and earning respect for his discipline and adaptability across combat sports.
Role: Enson Inoue, a pioneering fighter from the early MMA era.
The role reflects Inoue’s intensity, warrior spirit, and influence on the sport’s formative years.
What to Expect: Precise grappling and believable fight choreography rooted in real technique.
Interesting facts: Ishii’s casting is part of Benny Safdie’s approach of mixing trained fighters with actors for authenticity.
Notable Works: Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo (Beijing 2008), professional MMA fighter (Bellator, Rizin, K-1), international combat sports veteran.
James Moontasri as Akira Shoji
DOB: April 10, 1988.
Bio: James Moontasri is an American mixed martial artist, taekwondo black belt, and professional stunt performer.
A former UFC and WSOF competitor, he’s known for his dynamic striking and technical precision.
Role: Akira Shoji, a respected Japanese MMA fighter from the 1990s scene.
His portrayal captures the discipline, humility, and fighting style of one of the sport’s early international stars.
What to Expect: Realistic striking and movement; a performance that sells the era’s international fighters.
Interesting facts: Moontasri has prior stunt and fight choreography credits on major films, which helped on set.
Notable Works: UFC veteran, World Series of Fighting competitor, stunt performer in major Hollywood action films.
Yoko Hamamura as Kazuyuki Fujita
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Yoko Hamamura is an actor and martial artist whose screen work often centers on physical performance and combat realism.
His appearance in The Smashing Machine continues a growing body of work that blends acting with athletic authenticity.
Role: Kazuyuki Fujita, one of Japan’s most renowned heavyweight fighters of the era.
His character represents the toughness and wrestling-heavy style that defined early mixed martial arts competition, contributing to the film’s historical accuracy.
What to Expect: Gruff, kinetic fight scenes and a convincing portrayal of an old-school grappler.
Interesting facts: The production deliberately recruited a wide mix of fighters to ensure fights felt lived in and era-accurate.
Notable Works: Credits linked to martial-arts-related performance and stage work; otherwise emerging credit.
Paul Lazenby as Hans Nijman
DOB: June 7, 1968.
Bio: Canadian actor, professional stunt performer, and former mixed martial artist and pro wrestler.
With years of experience in both combat sports and on-screen stunt work, he brings authentic physical presence to every role.
Role: Hans Nijman, a real-life Dutch fighter from the early MMA era.
His inclusion helps capture the sport’s international landscape, grounding The Smashing Machine in the real faces and energy of 1990s combat competition.
What to Expect: Physical, weathered performances that sell the film’s period authenticity.
Interesting facts: Lazenby’s background in stunt work helped when staging practical, gritty fight choreography.
Notable Works: Arrow, Deadpool 2, and Supernatural.
Paul Cheng as Masaaki Satake
DOB: August 4, 1978.
Bio: Taiwanese-Canadian actor, former professional football player, and mixed martial artist.
Known for his strong physical presence, Cheng has transitioned from sports to acting, appearing in numerous television and film projects that showcase his athleticism and combat skills.
Role (in details): Masaaki Satake, a legendary Japanese kickboxer and one of Mark Kerr’s international rivals.
His performance captures the discipline, pride, and intensity of Satake’s real-life fighting style, grounding the film’s depiction of the global MMA community.
What to Expect: A composed, physical turn capturing the old-school toughness of Satake’s era.
Interesting facts: Cheng’s long TV resume includes many action and genre projects that called on his martial arts familiarity.
Notable Works: Skyscraper, Snake Eyes, Deadpool 2, Night at the Museum.
More Actors
• Stephen Quadros as Self.
• Mark Kerr as (appears in archival/interview material).
• Kenny Rice as Vale Tudo Announcer.
FAQ – The Smashing Machine (2025) Movie
Is the film based on a true story?
Yes. It dramatizes real events in Mark Kerr’s life and is inspired by the documentary and Kerr’s real career.
Did real fighters or Mark Kerr participate in the production?
Yes, several real fighters appear in the film and the production consulted the MMA community; archival material and fighter cameos are used.
What is The Smashing Machine movie about?
The Smashing Machine (2025) tells the true story of MMA legend Mark Kerr, showing his rise to fame as one of the toughest fighters in the early days of the UFC.
It also explores his personal struggles with addiction, pain, and relationships, revealing the emotional cost behind his success in the ring.
Where was The Smashing Machine filmed?
The Smashing Machine (2025) was filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Tokyo, Japan; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
What is the runtime and rating?
Runtime is about 123 minutes and the film is rated R.
Conclusion
The Smashing Machine (2025) delivers an emotional knockout that goes far beyond the cage.
Dwayne Johnson proves his dramatic power in a role that strips away his larger-than-life image, revealing the pain and vulnerability of Mark Kerr’s real-life journey.
With Benny Safdie’s gritty direction and Emily Blunt’s heartfelt performance, the movie finds the perfect balance between brutality and emotion.
It’s not just a sports biopic, it’s a raw human story about addiction, redemption, and the cost of greatness.
Powerful, moving, and unforgettable, The Smashing Machine stands as one of the most honest sports dramas in recent years.