The Rock Trades Glam for Grit in Benny Safdie New Film

The Smashing Machine, Benny Safdie’s latest biographical drama, propels Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to new heights. Known everywhere on the planet as an engaging action hero, a box office draw, and a cultural phenomenon, Johnson now abandons his signature charm and brawny valour for a minimalist, unadorned performance as Mark Kerr, one of MMA’s greatest fighters, whose private existence spiralled into a labyrinth of addiction, unease, and chaos.
Johnson’s portrayal in The Smashing Machine is not just a role he plays; it’s a transformation. He delves deep into the character, ringing out emotional layers that are rarely seen in his previous roles. The larger-than-life personas of Jumanji, Black Adam, or Fast & Furious are replaced by a man grappling with inner demons and a quest for identity in a world that values physical dominance.

Benny Safdie

The Smashing Machine marks the directorial debut of Benny Safd, a significant milestone in his career. Having garnered acclaim for his work on Uncut Gems and Good Time alongside his brother Josh Safdie, Benny now demonstrates his ability to command the screen independently, presenting an equally unflinching and intense vision in this film.
Safdie’s direction in The Smashing Machine is a masterclass in realism. He recreates the chaotic world of underground MMA in the early 2000s with such authenticity that viewers feel like they’re right in the middle of the action. The use of handheld cameras, the close-up shots of brutal takedowns, and the lingering focus on faces contorted in pain or confusion all contribute to the film’s gritty, immersive experience.

Mark Kerr

Mark Kerr is not fictional. He was the best in mixed martial arts at the beginning of the new millennium and a real-life ex-UFC and Pride champion. Due to his aggressive fighting style, Kerr became known as “The Smashing Ma home” and was an unstoppable machine. But under that fame was a broken man who was emotionally unavailable, reliant on drugs, and could not separate his physical strength from his self-esteem.
Johnson brings K r to life with unsettling sweetness. Apart from aping Kerr’s body language and fighting style, he also conveys the psychological torment, strained marriages, and desperate efforts to regain peace amidst the chaos. Early teaser clips depict Johnson’s eyes showing numbness, shame, and exhaustion as he fights his way through rehab, major failures, and media appearances. Each win in the cage is a greater defeat.

The Rock

To embody the role of Mark Kerr, Johnson undergoes a radical transformation. He alters his physicality, adopts Kerr’s body language and fighting style, and even uses facial prosthetics to resemble the character. This performance is a testament to Johnson’s dedication and emotional investment in the role, marking a significant departure from his usual charismatic persona.

He doesn’t speak as much. His silences are more sustained. T audience witnesses a side of him that they have never experienced before as he internalizes humiliation, irritation, and fear. He weeps uncontrollably in a hospital corridor after a reconciliation attempt fails in one poignant scene teased in the tea er. In another, dead-eyed and detached, he goes through the motions of preparing for a fight while backstage shooting up pills. Rather, the Rock, normally the authoritative and booming one, becomes weak and cowardly.

A24

The Smashing Machine’s studio, A24, has a long history of backing unconventional movies with bold performances and regular Oscar aspirations. The studio is big on backing Safdie’s vision and Johnson’s boldness, indicating that this film may be an awards show big player.
The movie’s ferocity is highlighted by the studio’s campaign, which frames it as a character study that unflinchingly and unapologetically looks at masculinity, addiction, celebrity, and redemption and not a sports drama. A one-time pro wrestler turned beloved performer is stepping into the world of leading drama, so it will be a landmark event if Johnson appears on the awards circuit.

It appears that The Smashing Machine will be something greater than a sports film. It is a powerful collaboration between two artists at pivotal points in their careers: Dwayne Johnson as a serious dramatic lead and Benny Safdie as a lone auteur.
If the entire film measures up to the trailer, Johnson can silence detractors and enter a new class where judges evaluate performances based on courage rather than charisma. While he made headlines for annihilating opponents in the ring, he is now breaking stereotypes on TV.