Filipino fans got to experience something cool: A24’s much-anticipated biopic The Smashing Machine premiered at SM Aura on September 30, 2025, giving Pinoys the chance to see it before its U.S. release.
Photo: A24/YouTube
Dwayne Johnson like you’ve never seen him
At the center of The Smashing Machine is the story of Mark Kerr, one of MMA’s most dominant fighters in the late ’90s. Playing him is Dwayne Johnson, in what many are already calling the most transformative role of his career. This isn’t the usual action-hero Johnson we’re used to. Here, he sheds the bravado and goes raw, showing both the power and vulnerability of a man dealing with fame, addiction, and crushing pressure.
Beside him is Emily Blunt as Mark’s wife Dawn Staples-Kerr, bringing tenderness and conflict to Kerr’s turbulent personal life. To prepare, Blunt spoke directly with Staples-Kerr, shaping her performance from real-life stories.
Johnson, meanwhile, went all-in. He trained with MMA coaches, studied Kerr’s fights, and even took real punches to make the fight scenes feel true. On top of that, he spent hours in prosthetic makeup crafted by Oscar-winner Kazu Hiro, fully transforming into Kerr during his prime. The production even brought in real fighters like Ryan Bader and Oleksandr Usyk, who lent authenticity to the choreography and fight dynamics.
The result is a film that strips away anything fake, focusing only on honesty, grit, and respect for the people behind the story.
When the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival, it received a 15-minute standing ovation—leaving audiences, including Johnson, Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and Mark Kerr himself, visibly emotional. Critics have hailed Johnson’s performance as career-defining and praised Blunt’s portrayal as deeply powerful and intimate.
At its core, the film speaks to something every Filipino knows well: resilience. Just as Mark Kerr fought battles inside and outside the ring, our athletes have proven time and again that perseverance can carry you through struggles, earn pride for the country, and inspire generations. The premiere is expected to draw athletes, creators, and cultural tastemakers.
Filipino audiences won’t have to wait long to judge for themselves. After the September 30 premiere, The Smashing Machine will officially open in Philippine cinemas on October 1, 2025 (rated R16). Beyond the brutal fight sequences, expect a story that hits even harder: one of resilience, survival, and love.
Get ready, Manila—this is one fight you won’t want to miss.
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