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The Smashing Machine Starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt Hits Theaters Today

Updated: Oct 3


The Smashing Machine officially lands in theaters today, bringing the legendary story of Mark Kerr to the big screen. The 2025 American biographical sports drama, written, directed, co-produced, and edited by Benny Safdie, is adapted from the acclaimed 2002 documentary The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr.


Boxer with determined expression in ring, wearing gloves. Movie poster text: "The Smashing Machine" by Benny Safdie, starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt.
Photo Credit: A24


The film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson as Kerr, the dominant amateur wrestler and MMA pioneer, alongside Emily Blunt as his girlfriend Dawn Staples. The supporting cast includes real-life fighters Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk, grounding the film with authentic MMA credibility.


Couple walks in lantern-lit street holding hands; woman in white, man in grey. Neon signs and bustling atmosphere, night scene.
Photo Credit: A24


To fight fans, Kerr is remembered as one of the most ferocious competitors of the no-holds-barred era. His performances in the World Vale Tudo Championships, where he faced opponents like Mestre Hulk and Fábio Gurgel, cemented his reputation as a relentless force. The sheer destruction he unleashed in the cage earned him the nickname “The Smashing Machine.”


Boxer sits in corner between rounds, surrounded by trainers. A woman observes from outside the ring. Dimly lit, intense atmosphere.
Photo credit: A24


Beyond his dominance in competition, Kerr’s life story — marked by triumphs, personal struggles, and resilience — makes him one of the most compelling figures in the history of mixed martial arts.


The Smashing Machine had its world premiere on September 1, 2025, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it competed for the Golden Lion and won the prestigious Silver Lion award. Now distributed by A24, the film arrives in U.S. theaters today, October 3, 2025. Early reviews praise its gritty authenticity and Johnson’s powerful, transformative performance.


Man in white T-shirt with flag design sits exhausted against padded wall in a gym. Red mat flooring and workout equipment in the background.
Photo Credit: A24


For Black Belt readers and martial arts practitioners, Kerr’s contributions go beyond the cage. His instructional video series, originally released through Panther, provided valuable insights into grappling and no-holds-barred fighting techniques. This influential material is soon to be available on BlackBeltMag.com, offering a new generation of martial artists direct access to Kerr’s expertise.



Two men in wrestling stances in shorts and sneakers, against a beige background. Text above reads: "Mark Kerr, toughest no-holds-barred fighter."
Photo Credit: Black Belt Magazine; From the 1998 Black Belt Magazine archive.


With a powerhouse performance from Dwayne Johnson and an unflinching look at the life of one of MMA’s most complex figures, The Smashing Machine is more than just a fight film — it’s a story of struggle, survival, and the cost of greatness.


Watch the official trailer


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