This review contains no spoilers.
The Safdie Brothers (Josh and Benny) were an unstoppable duo. Together, they made some of the greatest films of the 2010s: Good Time and Uncut Gems. Both are anxiety-fueled nightmares led by unlikely stars. Uncut Gems is a personal favorite of mine. It stars Adam Sandler, an actor best known for comedy, though his dramatic performances are always impressive. In Uncut Gems, he’s fantastic as a gambler who’s gone too far. Both of those films are panic-attack-inducing in all the right ways.
I bring this up because, in recent years, the Safdies have split up. Josh is directing Marty Supreme (releasing later this year and rumored to be one of A24’s most expensive productions yet). He also directed Sandler’s Netflix stand-up special Love You. Benny, meanwhile, has taken on a solo career with projects like The Curse with Nathan Fielder for Paramount+, and more recently, The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. This new film brings about a real change in direction for Benny. It’s a slower drama, unlike the energy of his collaborations with Josh.
The film itself follows UFC fighter Mark Kerr (played by The Rock) as he navigates his relationships with his partner, his trainer, and his battle with addiction. This is all while he is at the top of the UFC world. The story is all building towards a fight in Japan, where Gerr’s entire career is on the line with a $200,000 grand prize. The movie is slow, unapologetically moody, and is filled with performances that are about as good as acting gets. It wouldn’t surprise me if acting schools use this film in the future as an example of dramatic realism.
The Rock delivers the best performance of his career. As for his recent acting career, it has been hit or miss. His attempt to “change the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe” flopped with Black Adam, and other films like Jungle Cruise and Red One felt like action/adventure slop in my eyes. There have been some good moments mixed in his filmography. Moana and the Jumanji reboots come to mind. Nothing quite compares to his underrated gems like Walking Tall and Pain and Gain, though, both from his peak era as an actor. On another note, The Rock’s skincare line, Papatui, is a sleeper hit. The cleanser, toner, and moisturizer have seriously upgraded my face care routine. It’s honestly his best work in years. The Rock’s outings in the WWE are enjoyable as well, to be fair.
With that buildup, to see work of this caliber being delivered in this film is, for lack of a better word, a surprise. I could smell what Benny Safdie was cooking.
Another standout in the film is Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend. There’s one scene involving her that made me and my friends straight-up cry in the theater. I will give a warning: it’s a very intense scene involving an attempted suicide. For most of the film, I was on the edge of my seat. During that moment, though, I couldn’t look away. Those few minutes alone should earn Blunt a Best Actress nomination at the Oscars. The scene is realistic, suspenseful, and devastating.
The cinematography is the other most spectacular aspect of the film. In short, it is brilliant. The movie is shot in a way that makes you feel like a fly on the wall, watching these events go down. There are no flashy camera movements or out-of-left-field moments. The lighting is subtle and grounded, which adds to the film’s overall mood and tone. Every single little element works together to create a realistic experience.
It’s understandable if audiences aren’t sure what to expect from Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. It’s been a long time since The Rock has taken on a dramatic role. His HBO series Ballers ended in 2019. His last true dramatic film might’ve been Southland Tales way back in 2006. This is also Benny Safdie’s first feature since splitting up with Josh. Surprisingly, however, the film is amazing and definitely worth watching. Even more than once.
In conclusion, The Smashing Machine is a film I won’t forget anytime soon. It’s a movie that might just end up being one of my favorites of the year. It is truly one of the most human films of 2025 thus far. I highly recommend checking it out. I rate it a 9/10.
Rating: 9/10