From filmmaker Benny Safdie comes The Smashing Machine, a raw and emotional biopic about legendary UFC fighter Mark Kerr — not just his victories in the ring, but his battles outside of it.
Dwayne Johnson leads the cast as Kerr, fully transforming into the MMA icon during his most dominant — and most troubled — years. “Dwayne as Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine — he’s never done a role like this before,” says producer Hiram Garcia. It’s a dramatic shift for Johnson, known for blockbuster action roles, but here, he dives deep into Kerr’s addiction, emotional turmoil, and intense relationship with wife Dawn Staples-Kerr, played by Emily Blunt.
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The film is written and directed by Safdie, known for Uncut Gems and Good Time. He captures the wild early days of extreme fighting — from underground American matches to packed stadiums in Japan — with authenticity and grit. “As Real As It Gets” became the mantra behind the production, inspired by a t-shirt Safdie’s wife gave him.
The story is deeply personal for Johnson, who first watched a 2002 HBO documentary about Kerr years ago. “I first saw the documentary in 2008 or 2009,” he says, “and found myself deeply moved.” Determined to tell Kerr’s story, he obtained the rights and brought the idea to Safdie.
Mark Kerr himself reflects on the project with emotion: “When I got the call about this project it was disbelief that they were actually going to make a movie… In the process a movie was made, but we also made a family.”
The ensemble cast includes Ryan Bader as Kerr’s coach Mark Coleman, along with appearances from Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk. Together, they bring life to a world both brutal and beautiful.
The Smashing Machine doesn’t shy away from the pain behind the power. It shows the cost of fame, the cracks in a fighter’s armor, and the quiet moments where strength isn’t enough. At its core, it’s a story about survival — in the ring, in love, and in life. The film opens in Philippine cinemas on October 1.
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