On April 29, film studio A24 officially released the highly anticipated trailer for The Smashing Machine, a raw and emotional biopic that follows the life of mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr. The film is scheduled to hit theaters across the United States on October 3, 2025, with Dwayne Johnson taking on the challenging lead role.
Directed and written by acclaimed filmmaker Benny Safdie, known for his intense and character-driven storytelling, the movie offers a deep and unflinching portrayal of Kerr’s rise to fame during the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Safdie’s directorial style is expected to bring a gritty realism to the screen, capturing both the physical brutality and psychological toll of the fighting world.
Dwayne Johnson, a former professional wrestler and one of Hollywood’s biggest action stars, undergoes a dramatic transformation to embody Mark Kerr, who was once one of the most dominant forces in MMA. The film traces Kerr’s rapid ascent in the sport during the late 1990s and early 2000s, his struggles with addiction, painkiller dependency, and the pressures of maintaining his image as an unbeatable athlete.
Emily Blunt joins the cast as Kerr’s partner, offering a powerful counterbalance to Johnson’s character. Their on-screen chemistry is expected to lend emotional depth to the narrative, highlighting the personal sacrifices and fractured relationships behind Kerr’s public persona.
Supporting the lead duo are several real-life figures from the combat sports world. Ryan Bader, a professional MMA fighter, and Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight boxing world champion, appear in the film, lending authenticity to the fight scenes. Rising talents Zoë Kosovic and Lindsay Gavin round out the cast, contributing to the film’s exploration of fame, trauma, and identity.
The title The Smashing Machine is a nod to Kerr’s brutal fighting style and the nickname he earned in his prime. However, the story goes beyond the octagon. It examines the price of violence as entertainment and the internal battles faced by those who are often idolized but rarely understood.
A24, the studio behind critically acclaimed titles such as Uncut Gems, The Whale, and Everything Everywhere All at Once, is known for its bold approach to storytelling. With The Smashing Machine, it continues that tradition, offering audiences a sports biopic that is as emotionally devastating as it is physically intense.
The trailer showcases scenes of high-impact fights, intimate personal moments, and glimpses into the emotional and mental unraveling of a man pushed to his limits. Set to a moody, atmospheric score, the preview hints at a film that is not only about strength but also vulnerability, and the sometimes painful journey to self-acceptance.
As the release date approaches, anticipation is building among fans of combat sports, biographical dramas, and Dwayne Johnson’s evolving film career. The Smashing Machine is poised to offer a fresh and unfiltered take on the life of one of MMA’s most enigmatic champions.
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