A24 and VVS Films have released a new trailer for The Smashing Machine, which is set to hit Aussie cinemas on 2 October 2025. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, The Smashing Machine tells the story of UFC legend Mark Kerr.
Per A24, “Mark Kerr is an American former wrestler and mixed martial artist. During his MMA career he was a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion, World Vale Tudo Championship tournament winner, a PRIDE FC Heavyweight Champion, 1992 NCAA National Wrestling Champion, 1994 National Freestyle Champion and 4x ADCC World Submission Champion. In 2003, Kerr was the subject of an HBO documentary titled THE SMASHING MACHINE, which detailed his MMA career fighting in Vale Tudo, the UFC and PRIDE.”
The Smashing Machine
Written and directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine stars Johnson as Kerr with Blunt as his wife Dawn Staples. Other cast members include;
- Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman
- Bas Rutten as himself
- Oleksandr Usyk as Igor Vovchanchyn
- Lyndsey Gavin as Elizabeth Coleman
- Satoshi Ishii as Enson Inoue
- James Moontasri as Akira Shoji
- Yoko Hamamura as Kazuyuki Fujita
- Stephen Quadros as himself
- Paul Cheng as Masaaki Satake
- Cyborg Abreu as Fábio Gurgel
- Andre Tricoteux as Paul Varelans
- Marcus Aurélio as Mestre Hulk
- Whitney Moore as Jacqueline
- Paul Lazenby as Hans Nijman
- Olga Dzyurak as Igor’s Translator
- Ryan Ventura as Pride FC Ring Announcer
- Zoe Kosovic as McKenzie Coleman
The Smashing Machine is a real departure for Johnson, who, while serviceable, isn’t known for his acting chops. From the trailer (above), it looks as though Johnson may have another gear none of us saw coming. If he can keep up with Blunt, The Smashing Machine is in good shape.
And, if my reaction to the trailer is anything to go by, I’m going to be bawling like a baby watching this one.
The Smashing Machine will be released on 2 October 2025.
