Pinoy Fans First to Experience A24’s The Smashing Machine
A24’s highly anticipated 2025 biopic The Smashing Machine will premiere at SM Aura on September 30, 2025, expected to draw an audience of content creators, cultural tastemakers, and celebrated athletes. The event will give the Philippine audience the rare chance to see the film ahead of its U.S. release. The film stands as a celebration of the physical and mental toughness that defines every athlete. Just as Mark Kerr faced struggles both inside and outside the ring, athletes everywhere confront challenges beyond their sport.
Resilience and Determination
This resonates strongly with Filipinos, especially Pinoy athletes, who are known for their resilience and determination. Time and again, under difficult circumstances, they have represented the country on the global stage, bringing pride to the nation and proving that perseverance can lead not only to victory but also to personal validation and lasting inspiration.
The Smashing Machine brings to life the story of Mark Kerr, the legendary mixed martial artist whose reign in the late 1990s earned him the nickname that gives the film its title. Portrayed by Dwayne Johnson in one of the most transformative roles of his career, Kerr’s dominance in the UFC and PRIDE Fighting Championships is set against the backdrop of addiction, personal struggles, and the crushing pressures of fame.
Emily Blunt stars as Dawn Staples-Kerr, whose turbulent relationship with Kerr adds depth and intimacy to the narrative. Under the vision of Benny Safdie in his solo directorial debut, the film delivers a raw and unflinching portrait, not only of a fighter at his peak but of the emotional battles that test the limits of strength, love, and resilience.
To play Mark Kerr, Dwayne Johnson took on one of the toughest challenges of his career. He trained with real MMA coaches, studied every one of Kerr’s fights, and even allowed himself to take real punches on camera so that fight scenes looked and felt true.
Beyond the physical work, Johnson spent hours each day in makeup with Oscar-winner Kazu Hiro, who designed prosthetics, wigs, and body changes to capture Kerr’s look during his prime. Emily Blunt prepared for her role as Dawn Staples-Kerr by speaking directly with Dawn, learning her side of the story and shaping her performance around Dawn’s real experiences.
Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk
The film also cast real fighters such as Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk, who rehearsed fight choreography for hours and brought their own knowledge of the sport to the screen. Under Benny Safdie’s direction, the whole cast worked to strip away anything fake, focusing on honesty, detail, and respect for the people they were portraying.
Early reactions to The Smashing Machine have been overwhelmingly positive. At its Venice Film Festival premiere, the film earned a 15-minute standing ovation and left the audience, including Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and Mark Kerr himself, visibly emotional.
Critics are hailing Johnson’s performance as one of his most raw and vulnerable, stepping away from his action-hero persona, and many are calling Blunt’s portrayal deeply powerful. Reviews praise the film for its gritty, unflinching character study, its emotional honesty, and its ability to bring both the physical and psychological demands of Kerr’s life to the screen in a way that feels authentic and moving. Described as a career-defining work for Johnson and an unforgettable story of triumphs and struggles beyond the ring.
Fans of A24 and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson can experience The Smashing Machine in Philippine cinemas beginning October 1, rated R16. Beyond its gripping fight sequences, the film delivers an emotional punch, a story of resilience, love, and survival. Tickets and additional details on the release are available here.
