Venice 2025: First Reactions to Benny Safdie’s THE SMASHING MACHINE

The Venice Film Festival continues today, and reactions to some of the highly anticipated world premieres are hitting social media.

THE SMASHING MACHINE is a sports drama written, directed, co-produced, and edited by Benny Safdie. It stars Dwayne Johnson as former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's then-wife Dawn Staples, with Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten and Oleksandr Usyk in supporting roles.

The film is the story of legendary mixed martial arts & UFC fighter Mark Kerr.

The Smashing Machine had its world premiere in the main competition of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1st, 2025, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion. It is set to be released in the US by A24 on October 3rd, 2025.

Here are the first reactions out of Venice:

'The Smashing Machine' Review: Dwayne Johnson Delivers the Blows as a ... https://t.co/INtksvyFYF
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 1, 2025

'The Smashing Machine' Review: Dwayne Johnson Is a Revelation in Benny Safdie's Laceratingly Humane Sports Biopic https://t.co/gDMQSsysjc
— Variety (@Variety) September 1, 2025

‘The Smashing Machine’ Review: Dwayne Johnson Gets a Do-Over in Benny Safdie’s Endearing Anti-Awards-Bait MMA Biopic https://t.co/npCTd72jG3
— IndieWire (@IndieWire) September 1, 2025

‘The Smashing Machine’ Review: Dwayne Johnson Rocks In Benny Safdie’s Free-Jazz Biopic Of Mixed Martial Artist Mark Kerr – Venice Film Festival https://t.co/WDyX7F3pP7
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) September 1, 2025

‘The Smashing Machine’ Review: Dwayne Johnson Will Bring You To Tears In Benny Safdie’s Solo Directorial Debut [Venice] https://t.co/hFRB93RVQZ pic.twitter.com/Huavk9bjPl
— The Playlist (@ThePlaylistNews) September 1, 2025

The Rock is by far the best thing about Benny Safdie’s new movie ‘The Smashing Machine.’ Actually, he’s kind of the only thing in it. https://t.co/PuyJpVQTA8
— Vulture (@vulture) September 1, 2025

Dwayne Johnson is transformed in Benny Safdie's brilliant sports biopic about Mark Kerr, a pioneering MMA fighter https://t.co/BwoRqafDt5
— British GQ (@BritishGQ) September 1, 2025

Dwayne Johnson proves he can do “serious” in #TheSmashingMachine but let’s be clear: this isn’t just about craft, it’s about awards recognition. Playing fragile after years of invincible trashy blockbusters is calculated Oscar-bait, not a revelation. Keep it in mind. #Venezia82 pic.twitter.com/f1ImpbuPUl
— Mia Pflüger (@justmiaslife) September 1, 2025

#TheSmashingMachine is a sincerely raw sports biopic on the gritty & brutal, real & emotional fights we face in & out the ring.
Johnson bleeds vulnerability onto the screen in an undisputed knockout performance worth every ounce of blood, sweat & tears.
Blunt the PERFECT match. pic.twitter.com/LccnwMc3xX
— Ren Geekness (@RenGeekness) September 1, 2025

THE SMASHING MACHINE “The emotional payoff of the film isn’t so much about triumph, but resilience. And the reality of never knowing how being yourself inspires others, even long after it might seem the opportunity to do so has passed.” @A24 @TheRock https://t.co/IYQaLm9lSH
— IONCINEMA (@ioncinema) September 1, 2025

The Smashing Machine - It's fine. Well-made, performances are solid, but an otherwise generic version of this story we've so many times before. The Wrestler, etc. Big tough guy not so tough but also wants to win. Dwayne Johnson is really good, yes, but that's about it. #Venezia82 pic.twitter.com/YJLopxvIUj
— Alex @ #Venezia82 (@firstshowing) September 1, 2025

THE SMASHING MACHINE stands out for its authenticity & raw portrayal. Safdie’s direction balances the brutality of the ring w/ a humane & heartfelt narrative. The chemistry between Johnson & Blunt is genuine & touching, elevating the drama w/ shocking emotional depth. #Venezia82 pic.twitter.com/yC7iOicDi2
— Jairo Jiménez @ Venice (@jairojimenez_) September 1, 2025

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