Yesterday, April 29, 2025, I was scrolling through my feed when I stumbled across something that stopped me in my tracks: A24 dropped the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, the new film by Benny Safdie, and I’ve been buzzing about it ever since. As someone who’s been a fan of the Safdie Brothers since I first saw Uncut Gems at a late-night screening in 2019—my heart was racing the entire time—I was beyond excited to see what Benny would do on his own. And let me tell you, this trailer did not disappoint. It’s raw, intense, and has me counting down the days until its October 3 release. Let’s dive into why this trailer has me so hyped and what it means for Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, and the world of cinema.
A Gritty Glimpse into Mark Kerr’s World
The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama about Mark Kerr, a legendary MMA fighter from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC. The trailer kicks off with a bruised-up Kerr, played by Dwayne Johnson, sitting in what looks like a doctor’s waiting room, his eyes marked by the punches he’s taken. “You’re probably looking at my eyes,” he says to an older woman, and I immediately got chills. The footage cuts to Kerr in the octagon, throwing punches and dominating his opponents, while a text overlay sets the scene: “Before it was a worldwide phenomenon… there was UFC legend Mark Kerr.” It’s clear this isn’t just a sports movie—it’s a deep dive into the highs and lows of Kerr’s life, from his rise to the top in the late ‘90s to his struggles with addiction, injury, and personal relationships.
What really hit me was seeing Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt, trying to navigate the chaos of his world. There’s a heartbreaking moment where she’s tearfully taking a photo of him, and you can feel the strain his career is putting on their relationship. The trailer hints at Kerr fighting a close friend for a life-changing amount of money, and I’m already bracing myself for the emotional fallout. As someone who’s always been drawn to stories about the human cost of ambition—my dad used to tell me stories about his own struggles balancing work and family—this trailer resonated with me on a personal level. It’s not just about the fights; it’s about what’s at stake outside the ring.
Dwayne Johnson Like I’ve Never Seen Him Before
I’ve got to talk about Dwayne Johnson because, wow, he’s unrecognizable here. I grew up watching The Rock in the WWE—my brother and I used to mimic his “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?” line during family dinners—so I’m used to seeing him as this larger-than-life, charismatic action star. But in The Smashing Machine, he’s shedding that persona entirely. With impressive facial prosthetics, a full head of hair, and a completely different voice, Johnson disappears into Mark Kerr. There’s a quiet vulnerability to his performance that I’ve never seen from him before, and it’s giving me goosebumps just thinking about it.
In one scene, Kerr says he “absolutely” doesn’t hate his opponents, but the trailer suggests he might hate himself at times. That kind of emotional depth is new territory for Johnson, and I’m here for it. I remember watching him in Jungle Cruise a few years back with my cousins, and while he was great, it was the same old charming Rock. This feels like a career-defining moment for him, and I’m rooting for him to get the recognition he deserves—maybe even an Oscar nod, which people have been buzzing about since the project was announced.
Benny Safdie’s Solo Stamp
Benny Safdie has always been a name that gets me excited, ever since I saw Good Time on a whim during a film festival in college. The way he and his brother Josh create tension is unmatched—those movies left me on the edge of my seat, palms sweaty, wondering how things could possibly get worse for the characters. So when I heard Benny was going solo for The Smashing Machine, I was curious to see how his style would translate without Josh, who’s also got his own A24 film, Marty Supreme, coming out later this year.
The trailer has all the Safdie hallmarks: ultra-charged realism, a sense of unease, and a focus on characters who are flawed and human. But there’s something new here too—a tenderness I didn’t expect. The way Benny captures Kerr’s relationship with Dawn feels so intimate, like we’re peeking into their private struggles. I’ve always admired how the Safdies can make you root for characters who are making terrible decisions, and I can already tell Benny’s going to do the same with Kerr. Posts on X are echoing this sentiment, with fans saying the trailer hints at a “weirder, thornier” movie than a typical biopic, which has me even more intrigued.
A Star-Studded Team and a Personal Connection
Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples is another reason I’m so excited. I’ve been a fan of hers since I watched The Devil Wears Prada with my mom years ago—she stole every scene as that stressed-out assistant. Here, she looks like she’s bringing the same emotional intensity, and I can already tell her dynamic with Johnson is going to be a highlight. The trailer also features real MMA fighters like Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk, which adds a layer of authenticity that I appreciate as someone who’s always loved sports movies that feel real. My uncle used to be a boxer, and he’d tell me how important it was to capture the grit of the sport accurately—The Smashing Machine looks like it’s doing just that.
The film’s production team is stacked too. A24, known for gems like Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All at Once, is behind it, and they’ve got a knack for turning out films that are both critically acclaimed and deeply moving. Benny Safdie wrote, directed, and co-produced the film through his company Out for the Count, alongside Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, Eli Bush, and others. It was shot on 16mm film by cinematographer Maceo Bishop, which gives it that gritty, nostalgic feel I love in movies. And the score is by Belgian musician Nala Sinephro—I’m already imagining how her music will amplify the emotional punches.
What’s Next for The Smashing Machine?
The Smashing Machine is set to hit theaters on October 3, 2025, just in time for awards season, and I can’t help but think it’s going to be a contender. A24 has a history of backing films that resonate with both audiences and critics, and this one feels like it’s got all the ingredients: a transformative performance from Johnson, a powerhouse like Emily Blunt, and Benny Safdie’s unflinching direction. The timing also lines up with festival season, which could give it a boost in the awards race—something fans on X are already buzzing about, calling it “The Rock’s Oscar bid.”
I’m also curious about how this film will fit into the broader landscape of Korean cinema’s global rise, which I’ve been following closely. Just yesterday, I was reading about how The King of Kings became the highest-grossing Korean film in the U.S., beating Parasite. While The Smashing Machine isn’t a Korean film, its release feels like part of this exciting moment where international stories—whether from South Korea or the MMA world—are captivating audiences worldwide. It’s a reminder of how universal the language of struggle and triumph can be, no matter where the story comes from.
Final Thoughts—I Can’t Wait to See This
The first trailer for The Smashing Machine has me completely hooked. It’s a gritty, emotional look at Mark Kerr’s life that promises to be so much more than a typical sports biopic. Dwayne Johnson’s transformation, Emily Blunt’s intensity, and Benny Safdie’s raw storytelling have me counting down the days until October 3. This film feels like a love letter to the pioneers of MMA, a deep dive into the cost of ambition, and a personal journey that hits close to home for me. I’m already planning to see it opening weekend—maybe even at that same indie theater where I first saw Parasite. What about you? Are you as hyped for The Smashing Machine as I am? Let me know—I’d love to hear your thoughts!
