By skyforbes 
Reelscope Review | October 2025
Meta Description:
Bennie Safdie’s The Smashing Machine casts Dwayne Johnson as MMA legend Mark Kerr in a performance that aims for awards prestige. But despite brutal fight scenes and strong moments from Ryan Bader, the film stumbles with distracting makeup and uneven storytelling.
The Rock Enters Awards Season
Dwayne Johnson has been a cornerstone of popular culture since the late ’90s, transforming professional wrestling into primetime entertainment before becoming Hollywood’s undisputed franchise king. With The Smashing Machine, directed by Bennie Safdie, Johnson makes his boldest play yet: stepping into the bruised skin of real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr in hopes of claiming his first shot at awards season credibility.
The Rise and Fall of Mark Kerr
Nicknamed “The Smashing Machine” for his brutal mix of mat wrestling and devastating strikes, Mark Kerr built a reputation as one of the most feared fighters in the world. If he got an opponent to the ground, they rarely left under their own power. But while his career soared in both America and Japan, his personal life spiraled.