The Dynamic Duo of Dwayne Johnson & Emily Blunt Shine Bright In ‘The Smashing Machine’

Blunt delivers a powerful performance, though she hasn’t received nearly enough credit for her role opposite Johnson. As Dawn Staples, Blunt navigates a character burdened by her own demons while trying to support a man unraveling in front of her. The emotional tightrope they both walk is portrayed with remarkable precision. At different points, each plays both hero and antagonist, and Blunt’s presence proves essential to that dynamic. Her casting was a masterstroke, a testament to the keen instincts of the film’s casting team.

Speaking of casting, seeing undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk step into the role of Igor Vovchanchyn was a welcome surprise. His portrayal added an authentic edge to the film.

The Smashing Machine Left A Lot To Be Desired

Heading into a private screening of The Smashing Machine, one thought kept circling my mind: unlike everyone else in the room, I had no idea who Mark Kerr was—and I saw that as a strength. I wanted to approach the film without preconceptions, free of bias, open to whatever story it chose to tell. But by the time the credits rolled, I wasn’t applauding—I was questioning.

Kerr, now 56 and originally from Toledo, Ohio, achieved plenty in his fighting career—most notably as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament champion and World Vale Tudo Championship winner. While the film captures Kerr’s prime years, set between 1997 and 2000, it falters in establishing a clear timeline. The narrative leans heavily on the assumption that viewers already know the context, which disrupts the film’s rhythm. 

The film adopts a documentary-style approach, but with actors reenacting Kerr’s story rather than real people recounting it. One moment that stood out—and confused me—was a scene showing Kerr in the locker room before a major fight. His girlfriend enters and he completely ignores her, saying nothing. This follows a cut from a scene of him flying to Japan. At first, I couldn’t make sense of the tension, but about ten minutes later, she mentions that Kerr had been partying weeks earlier while getting ready for his match, which retroactively explained the emotional distance. The film’s nonlinear structure often made it difficult to follow. 

For those familiar with Kerr’s story, the film’s structure might not feel as disjointed. But for me, coming in without that background, it felt choppy and uneven. The performances of Johnson and Blunt were unforgettable. Sadly, The Smashing Machine as a whole didn’t land with the same force and fell flat for me.