Check out our video review below of A24’s The Smashing Machine.

The film marks the solo feature directorial debut of Benny Safdie, who previously collaborated with his brother Josh on A24’s Good Time and Uncut Gems. Along with Johnson, Emily Blunt stars. 

Additional cast members include Lyndysey Gavin as Eliabeth Coleman, Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn, Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman and Zoe Kosovic as McKenzie Coleman.

The film follows Johnson as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr from the no-holds-barred era of the UFC at the peak of his career as he questions himself and struggles with life and his relationships. Meanwhile, Mark’s girlfriend Dawn Staples (Blunt) struggles as well to find her place in Mark’s chaotic and contradictory world.

Johnson plays MMA legend Mark Kerr. Kerr was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner. Over the course of his career, he won over two dozen MMA titles.

Johnson and Dany Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions are producing the film alongside Safdie’s Out for the Count banner, Eli Bush and David Koplan.