Venice premiere prompts mixed reviews

Venice premiere sparks debate as critics weigh the performance by Dwayne Johnson against a quiet, character driven sports drama.

Johnson Shines as The Smashing Machine Receives Mixed Reviews

The Smashing Machine premiered in Venice as Benny Safdie's first solo directing effort. Dwayne Johnson stars as Mark Kerr and Emily Blunt plays Dawn Staples. The film follows Kerr during the late 1990s UFC era as he questions himself and navigates his relationships while Dawn faces her own challenges in a chaotic world. Early reviews are mixed. Critics praise Johnson for disappearing into the role with the help of prosthetics by Kazu Hiru, and they note the film is ambitious in its focus on character over conventional sports drama. Some outlets applaud Safdie for a lean approach that avoids crowd pleasing melodrama, while others warn the pacing slows the narrative. A24 will release the film on October 3.

Not all critics agree. Some say the movie falters on momentum and fails to deliver the payoff typical of biopics. The Independent hails Johnson as a serious actor with Oscar potential, while Indiewire highlights the contrast between Kerr inside the cage and outside it. Little White Lies admires the artistic direction but notes a more restrained approach to the sport story. Vulture argues the film edges toward softness and that Blunt's Dawn is underdeveloped, while Variety calls the performance a revelation and commends Safdie for a nuanced look at fame and persona.

This film marks a shift for Safdie toward a lean, intimate portrait that questions what sports cinema can be. It leans on mood and character rather than a crowd pleasing arc, which may alienate viewers who expect a clear triumph at the end. The choice to center Kerr s vulnerabilities — addiction, isolation, and strain in love — poses risks for reception and outreach.

The rewards could be a new kind of sports drama that lives on human tension rather than action. Venice sets an early tempo, but the release by A24 will test how audiences respond to a non traditional biopic that asks the viewer to sit with pain. The conversation surrounding this film may focus on how to treat addiction and fame in film and what counts as a payoff for a character who has long defined a sport’s image.

Highlights

The festival scene and the October release will reveal whether audiences embrace this restrained portrait of a famous fighter.