The roar of the late 90s mixed martial arts scene explodes onto the screen, a brutal ballet of bone and blood. Mark Kerr, a name whispered with a mix of awe and fear, stands poised on the precipice of greatness. But greatness demands a price. Outside the octagon, the pressures mount. His volatile relationship with Dawn Staples strains under the weight of his ambition and her own growing fears, the bright lights dimming to reveal a darker dependency. In the training room, he finds camaraderie with Mark Coleman and Bas Rutten, two fellow warriors who understand the savage beauty and brutal sacrifice required to reach the top. But even their support can’t shield Kerr from his internal demons, threatening to shatter the smashing machine into a million pieces, jeopardizing not just his career, but everything he holds dear.

The Smashing Machine Movie Overview
| Title | The Smashing Machine |
|---|---|
| Release Status | Released |
| Release Date | 2025-10-01 |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 3 minutes |
| Genre | History, Drama |
| Original Language | En |
| Spoken Language | English, Japanese, Ukrainian |
| Country | United States of America |
| Production Co. | A24, Seven Bucks Productions, Out for the Count, Magnetic Fields Entertainment |
The Smashing Machine Movie Cast
| Name | Character |
|---|---|
| Dwayne Johnson | Mark Kerr |
| Emily Blunt | Dawn Staples |
| Ryan Bader | Mark Coleman |
| Bas Rutten | Bas Rutten |
| Lyndsey Gavin | Elizabeth Coleman |
| Zoe Kosovic | McKenzie Coleman |
| Oleksandr Usyk | Igor Vovchanchyn |
| Satoshi Ishii | Enson Inoue |
| James Moontasri | Akira Shoji |
| Yoko Hamamura | Kazuyuki Fujita |
| Paul Cheng | Masaaki Satake |
| Andre Tricoteux | Paul Varelans |
| Marcus Aurelio | Mestre Hulk |
| Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu | Fábio Gurgel |
| Jerin Valel | Sergio Batarelli |
| Raja Flores | Dr. Cortez |
| Egidiyus Klimas | Igor’s Manager |
| Randi Lynne | Receptionist |
| Yasuhiro Nakatsuka | Pride Journalist #1 (1999) |
| Kenny Rice | Vale Tudo Announcer |
| Tak Sasaki | Pride Referee (1999) |
| Paul Wu | Pride Referee (2000) |
| Joshua Mazerolle | HGE Sparring Partner |
| Jason William Day | HGE Sparring Partner |
| Mark Kerr | Self |
| Annette Alvarado | Grocery Store Cashier |
| James McSweeney | Varelans’ Cornerman |
| Jonathan Corbblah | UFC 1997 Interviewer |
| Ilan Rosenberg | Coleman’s Cornerman |
| Nick Toren | UFC 1977 Photojournalist |
| Jill Basey | Peggy |
| Bethany Brown | Nurse |
| Soichi Sato | Window Seat Passenger |
| Takaaki Nagata | Taxi Driver |
| Jugo Hashimoto | Vespa Driver |
| Haruo Tokashiki | Pride 1999 Official |
| Hiroko Taki | Small Shopkeeper |
| Hironori Kamoshita | Pride 1999 Journalist #2 |
| Yasuko Mitsuura | Pride Director |
| Shinpei Otsuki | Pride Translator |
| Olga Dzyurak | Igor’s Translator |
| Takeshi Kurokawa | Flight Attendant |
| Tomoka Kobayashi | Pride 1999 Employee |
| Chris Franco | Igor’s Cornerman |
| Takao Osawa | Nobuyuki Sakakibara |
| Midori Takiya | Mr. Sakakibara’s Translator |
| Naoshi Sasaki | Pride 1999 Pharmacist |
| Rina Shimomura | Pride 1999 Journalist #3 |
| Royal Johnston | Gravitron Operator |
| Whitney Moore | Jaqueline |
| Adrianne Lovato | Waiter |
| Tomoya Naka | Pride 2000 Photographer |
| Yuki Kedoin | Pride 2000 Photographer |
| Stephen Quadros | Stephen Quadros |
| Tomoyasu Hotei | Tomoyasu Hotei |
| Nala Sinephro | Star Spangled Banner Performer |
| Ryan Ventura | Pride 2000 Announcer |
| Paul Wu | Pride 2000 Referee |
| Gary Copeland | Kerr/Inoue Referee |
| Jamie Fair | Phoenix Barber |
| Jordan Greer | Ohio State Wrestling Partner |
| Byron Capers | Phoenix Police Officer |
| Ei Yoshikawa | Pride 2000 Journalist |
| Roberto de Abreu Filho | Fabio Gurgel |
| Lance Gibson | UFC Contender |
| Yushin Okami | Alexander Otsuka |
| Marcus Vinicios | Ebenezer Fontes Braga |
| Adam Santos | Ricardo Morais |
| Christopher Ackerman | Demolition Derby Announcer |
| Shawn C. Orr | Demolition Derby Driver |
| Brett Randy Bourgeois | Demolition Derby Driver |
| Scott Meloshinsky | Demolition Derby Driver |
| Hugo Steele | Firefighter |
| Brennan Walstrom | Firefighter |
| Roberto Abreu | (uncredited) |
| Jason Broadwell | Grocery Store Patron (uncredited) |
| Ismail Elfallahi | Derby Fan (uncredited) |
| Charles Chi Soo Kim | Tokyo Dome Wrestling Fan (uncredited) |
| Paul Lazenby | Hans Nijman (uncredited) |
| Jasper Salon | Cutman (uncredited) |
| Nina Sugii | Japanese Hotel Guest/Fan (uncredited) |
| Naoki Tasaki | Journalist (uncredited) |
| Jason Tremblay | Arizona Police Officer (uncredited) |
| Taylor Trujillo | Burger Joint Patron (uncredited) |
| Lawrence Yang | MMA Trainer of Masaaki Satake/Cameraman (uncredited) |
The Smashing Machine Movie Storyline
In the electrifying world of late 1990s MMA, Mark Kerr, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, is a force of nature, a “smashing machine” on a relentless quest to become the undisputed greatest fighter. His raw power and unyielding determination quickly propel him to the top, capturing the attention of both the American and Japanese fight circuits. However, Kerr’s ascent is shadowed by a crippling opioid addiction, a silent battle fought outside the roaring arenas, threatening to unravel his hard-earned success. His turbulent relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt, is a complex tapestry of love, support, and explosive arguments, strained by Kerr’s inner demons and the pressures of his demanding career. As Kerr dominates opponents like Igor Vovchanchyn in brutal clashes, his reliance on painkillers deepens, blurring the lines between physical endurance and self-destruction. The presence of Mark Coleman, a fellow fighter and friend played by Ryan Bader, offers a glimpse into the camaraderie and shared struggles within the close-knit MMA community, even as their paths diverge due to Kerr’s increasingly erratic behavior. Ultimately, Kerr must confront his addiction, mend his relationship with Dawn, and decide if the price of glory is worth sacrificing himself, culminating in a poignant exploration of the human spirit amidst the violence and spectacle of mixed martial arts.
The Smashing Machine Movie Details
“The Smashing Machine,” a historical drama set against the backdrop of the burgeoning mixed martial arts scene of the late 1990s, plunges into the tumultuous life of Mark Kerr, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, as he grapples with the relentless pursuit of becoming the world’s greatest fighter. Driven by ambition and raw talent, Kerr rises through the ranks, dominating opponents in the ring with a ferocity that earns him the titular moniker. However, outside the arena, Kerr battles his own demons, a spiraling opioid addiction that threatens to unravel his success and consume him entirely. Adding to his complex world is his volatile relationship with his girlfriend, Dawn Staples played by Emily Blunt, who struggles to navigate the highs and lows of Kerr’s career and personal struggles. As Kerr’s star ascends, he finds himself surrounded by fellow fighters like Mark Coleman, played by Ryan Bader, and the charismatic Bas Rutten, portrayed by Bas Rutten himself, each vying for their place in the pantheon of MMA legends. The film explores themes of ambition, addiction, and the human cost of pursuing greatness, showcasing the brutal realities of a sport where the line between triumph and self-destruction blurs with every punch. Lyndsey Gavin, playing Elizabeth Coleman, adds another layer to the narrative, highlighting the personal lives impacted by the fighters’ choices, enriching the narrative with moments of tenderness amid the violence and chaos.
The Smashing Machine Movie Poster Images
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The Smashing Machine Movie Trailers
The Rock Got a Concussion Shooting This Scene!
The Fight Scene That Left Emily Blunt on the Floor Drinking Tequila
The Smashing Machine Movie FAQs
<b>What is the movie The Smashing Machine about?
The Smashing Machine tells the story of mixed martial artist Mark Kerr in the late 1990s, focusing on his rise to fame and his struggles with opioid dependence and a turbulent relationship.
Who are the main actors in The Smashing Machine?
The main actors are Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr and Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples.
What genres does The Smashing Machine fall into?
The Smashing Machine is categorized as a History and Drama film.
When is The Smashing Machine scheduled to be released?
The release date for The Smashing Machine is October 1, 2025.
Which production companies are involved in The Smashing Machine?
The production companies include A24, Seven Bucks Productions, Out for the Count, and Magnetic Fields Entertainment.
What is the runtime of The Smashing Machine?
The movie has a runtime of 123 minutes.
Is The Smashing Machine based on a true story?
Yes, it is based on the true story of UFC legend Mark Kerr.
What languages are spoken in The Smashing Machine?
The movie features English, Japanese, and Ukrainian languages.
Who directed The Smashing Machine?
Benny Safdie is the director of The Smashing Machine.
What is the budget for The Smashing Machine?
The budget for the film is 50 million USD.