A24 Unleashes First Trailer for The Smashing Machine, Starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA Legend Mark Kerr

A24 has dropped the intense first trailer for The Smashing Machine, a gritty and emotional deep dive into the life of legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stepping into the ring—both literally and metaphorically—in one of his most transformative roles to date.

Directed and written by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems), the film isn’t your average sports biopic. Set in the chaotic, blood-soaked world of early 2000s MMA, the story follows Kerr’s meteoric rise in the UFC, PRIDE, and VFC circuits at a time when the sport was raw, brutal, and unregulated. But this is far from just a highlight reel of knockouts and victories—The Smashing Machine digs deep into the personal cost of fame, physical dominance, and the addictive highs of competition.

Johnson, shedding his superhero persona, embodies Kerr as a man haunted by addiction, torn between glory and self-destruction. Alongside him is Emily Blunt as Dawn, Kerr’s partner, whose love and loyalty are tested by the swirling storm of violence, fame, and inner conflict. The supporting cast brings authenticity and grit with MMA greats like Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Satoshi Ishii, and legends Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros appearing in key roles.

The trailer hints at a story packed with raw emotion, brutal honesty, and bone-crunching realism. It captures the agony and ecstasy of a man who could dominate anyone in the cage but struggled to conquer the chaos within.

The Smashing Machine hits theaters on October 3, 2025, and is already being buzzed about as a career-defining turn for Johnson and a bold, bruising entry into sports cinema from A24.