The film "The Smashing Machine" (2025) is a sports biopic directed by Benny Safdie about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, starring Dwayne Johnson. It is generally described as an unconventional and distinctly observational sports movie that avoids typical sports film clichés. Critics and reviews praise Johnson's authentic and vulnerable acting while also noting the film's raw portrayal of MMA in the late 1990s, capturing the sport's early, less commercialized atmosphere. The film takes an anti-biopic approach, focusing more on the human and emotional struggles of the athlete rather than glorifying physical strength or victories. While it is critically acclaimed for its honesty and depth in showing Kerr's personal battles with addiction, relationships, and the pressures of professional fighting, some reviews mention that it lacks enough dramatic intensity or emotional resonance, with fight scenes that are informative but emotionally distant. Overall, the film is seen as a brooding, unsentimental character study that explores the costs of ambition and the fragile human spirit behind the glamorous image of combat sports. It is appreciated for its unique tone, mood piece style, and strong performances, particularly by Johnson, but some viewers might find it too detached or mellow compared to more typical sports dramas.
If looking for a more typical sports biopic with heightened dramatic tension and immersive fight scenes, this movie might feel different. However, it offers a fresh, realistic perspective on the life of a fighter and the complexities behind the sport of MMA.