The Smashing Machine is worth watching if you want to see Dwayne Johnson play Mark Kerr as a troubled person rather than a triumphant sports-movie hero. But Benny Safdie’s documentary-like approach has a trade-off: the film can feel less like a freshly shaped drama than a replay of a story already told. Johnson’s transformation is its strongest argument; the movie’s limited sense of dramatic escalation is its biggest weakness.
Is The Smashing Machine worth watching?
It depends on what you want from a sports biopic. If you value an unvarnished portrait of a champion whose fame, addiction and recovery do not resolve into a neat uplift arc, the film offers a compelling reason to watch. If you expect a clear climb toward a comeback, with each setback building to catharsis, its restrained, observational shape may feel underpowered.
The tension is central to the film’s appeal and its limitation. Rotten Tomatoes’ critics consensus praises Johnson’s transformative performance and the film’s grit while acknowledging that it may lack narrative satisfaction. The consensus captures the divide: the approach gives Kerr room to register as a person, but can leave the story short of the dramatic momentum many sports films provide.
Is Dwayne Johnson good as Mark Kerr?
Johnson is the main reason to see the film. His performance makes the physical scale of Kerr part of the characterization without turning the fighter into an invulnerable action hero. The movie’s attention stays on the person beneath the champion’s public image, including the strain of addiction and recovery.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
TIME critic Stephanie Zacharek argues that Safdie avoids familiar recovery-drama machinery, writing: “Instead, he simply trusts his star, Dwayne Johnson, to lead us through Kerr’s story of escalating fame, addiction, and recovery, without resorting to the clichés of so many addiction-recovery dramas.” That trust gives Johnson space to carry the film through quieter, less triumphant passages.
Even a less favorable response identifies the performance as a strength. In an Associated Press roundup, film writer Jake Coyle says Johnson’s work is “let down by a movie that fails to really grapple with the violent world around Mark, resorting instead for a blander appreciation of these MMA combatants.” The distinction matters: praise for Johnson does not necessarily mean the film fully examines the sport and the pressures surrounding Kerr.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Does the film work as a sports drama?
Safdie does not force Kerr’s life into a conventional rise-fall-comeback structure. TIME’s Zacharek praises the film for resisting a “Rocky”-style formula and for not twisting the story into “excessively dramatic pretzel knots.” For viewers tired of sports biopics that turn hardship into an easy victory, that restraint can feel honest.
For others, the same restraint can feel like a lack of shape. The film’s documentary-like closeness to its subject does not always create the sense of escalation or payoff that a dramatized account needs. Coyle’s criticism points to a related shortfall: the film may not reckon deeply enough with the violent world around its central figure. The result is a portrait that can be affecting in its attention to Kerr while remaining less incisive about the environment that made him a celebrated fighter.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How does it compare with the Mark Kerr documentary?
The feature is closely connected to John Hyams’ earlier HBO documentary, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Extreme Fighter Mark Kerr. It follows Kerr’s life in the same broad period and adopts a similarly handheld, documentary-like visual approach. Los Angeles Times critic Amy Nicholson argues that the biopic is close to a repeat of Hyams’ film, calling it a “nostalgia headache.”
The documentary’s year is described inconsistently by the cited sources: the Los Angeles Times calls it a 2002 film, while Seven Bucks Productions refers to it as a 2003 title. It is safest to identify it simply as the earlier HBO documentary. Nicholson’s comparison is a critical judgment about the films’ overlap, not a scene-by-scene account; the available information does not establish a detailed sequence-by-sequence comparison.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The overlap creates a useful choice for viewers. The documentary is the natural companion if you want the earlier account of Kerr’s career, while Safdie’s film offers a dramatic performance-led interpretation. The feature’s closeness to familiar material may be a drawback if you already know the documentary, but it also helps explain why the film avoids the polish and easy uplift of a standard sports biopic.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is The Smashing Machine based on a true story?
Yes. A24 describes the 2025 film, written and directed by Benny Safdie and starring Johnson and Emily Blunt, as the story of MMA and UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Seven Bucks Productions lists Kerr’s achievements as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, a World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a Pride FC heavyweight champion, the 1992 NCAA national wrestling champion, the 1994 National Freestyle Champion and a four-time ADCC World Submission Champion. A24’s film page and Seven Bucks Productions’ project page provide the film and subject details.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Who should watch it?
- Watch it for Johnson’s performance: The film’s clearest strength is its portrait of Kerr as more than a champion, with a performance that critics single out even when they are less persuaded by the movie overall.
- Watch it if you prefer restraint to a comeback formula: Safdie’s refusal to manufacture a conventional sports-movie payoff is a deliberate choice, not a promise of a rousing finish.
- Temper expectations if you want a forceful examination of MMA: Coyle’s AP assessment is that the film does not fully grapple with the violent world around Kerr.
- Consider the earlier documentary if you already know Kerr’s story: The feature’s documentary-like resemblance may make it feel familiar rather than revelatory.
Where can you watch it?
A24’s film page links to Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango at Home and a Blu-ray listing, but those links do not establish current availability or price in every region. The Associated Press reported on January 16, 2026, that the film was set to debut on HBO Max on January 23, 2026; that historical report does not confirm its October 2026 status or availability outside the market covered by AP.
A24 Shop lists Blu-ray and 4K editions with a 25-minute making-of featurette, two deleted scenes, a 16mm camera test and six collectible postcards. The page displayed a $30 price when accessed; price and stock may change. Check A24 Shop for current edition details.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
