Dwayne Johnson stunned critics at the Venice Film Festival with his emotional portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine. Now, A24 has released a brand-new trailer ahead of the film’s theatrical debut on October 3, 2025.
A “Rockaissance” in Motion?
Johnson’s heartfelt performance has been called one of the most ambitious of his career, leading some to speculate about a full-blown “Rockaissance.” Unlike blockbuster stars who simply pivot into “serious roles,” Johnson’s turn has been described as layered, intimate, and deeply personal. The Venice buzz suggests this could redefine his image beyond action spectacles, establishing him as a serious contender in the upcoming awards season.
IndieWire critic Ryan Lattanzio praised both Johnson and Safdie’s film, noting that it resists the trappings of prestige cinema.
“Safdie’s first solo-directed feature after helming episodes of TV’s The Curse and creatively breaking up with his brother Josh sounds like the stuff of awards-season bait… But The Smashing Machine is not that, nor is it The Wrestler, either.”
— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire
Johnson and Blunt’s On-Screen Chemistry
Safdie’s film explores the stark contrasts in Kerr’s life — his intimidating, undefeated presence inside the octagon and his wounded, insecure persona outside it. Emily Blunt co-stars as Kerr’s girlfriend and eventual wife, Dawn Staples-Kerr, delivering a performance that critics say matches Johnson beat for beat.
“Safdie’s film is rather a sweet duet between a remarkably unembellished Johnson and a blazingly good, blue-collar and freshly blown-out Emily Blunt.”
— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire
Their natural chemistry is enhanced by a real-life friendship. At Venice, Johnson described Blunt as his “best friend” and credited her with inspiring him to take greater artistic risks and embrace the emotional depth of the role. Many critics singled out their dynamic as one of the film’s strongest elements, grounding the story in raw, human emotion.
Release Date
Distributed by A24, The Smashing Machine will hit theaters on October 3, 2025. With awards chatter already surrounding Johnson’s performance and the new trailer showcasing Safdie’s uncompromising style, anticipation for the film is only growing. Watch the trailer below.
