A24’s forthcoming sports biopic The Smashing Machine, centered on Dwayne Johnson’s portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr, was given fresh attention Tuesday with a new trailer that prominently features Emily Blunt. Unlike the first trailer released in April, which primarily focused on Johnson’s character, the latest teaser explores Blunt’s role in more depth, showcasing her portrayal of Kerr’s real-life partner Dawn in writer-director Benny Safdie’s film.
Critical Response and Filmmaking Vision
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, has drawn praise for its nuanced and grounded approach to the fighting genre. Steve Pond of TheWrap described it as
one of the gentlest movies you’ll see about fighting.
He further commented,
In some ways, Safdie’s approach seems casual and grounded rather than pumped up, though it’s also raw both physically and emotionally,
adding,
Even when Kerr is at his smiliest and friendliest, his outward calm isn’t soothing because Johnson shows just enough of the rage and pain underneath it.
Production Team and Release Schedule
The project is produced by Benny Safdie and Dwayne Johnson, alongside Eli Bush, David Koplan, and Seven Bucks Productions’ Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia. At the time of the film’s announcement, A24’s Noah Sacco expressed enthusiasm, stating,
Dwayne and Benny are singular talents, and their shared vision for Mark’s inspiring story is electrifying,
and added,
We are deeply honored to have their trust as collaborators in bringing this incredibly special project to life.
The Smashing Machine is set to debut in theaters on October 3, promising a thoughtful exploration of Mark Kerr’s life both inside and outside the cage, with Emily Blunt’s compelling role adding emotional depth to the story.
