Safdie’s 'The Smashing Machine' Wins Silver Lion

The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie, stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as pioneering MMA fighter Mark Kerr and Emily Blunt as his girlfriend Dawn, dramatizing Kerr’s unbeaten run, devastating first loss, opioid addiction and return from rehab. Johnson underwent a dramatic physical transformation — reportedly about 22 facial prosthetics, a wig and over 30 pounds of weight gain — and delivers a vulnerable, widely praised performance. The film premiered at Venice, where Safdie won the Silver Lion and the screening reportedly drew a 15‑minute standing ovation that moved Johnson and Kerr. Critics have lauded the performances and Safdie’s cinematic approach while offering mixed assessments of the script, with some saying it too closely resembles the earlier documentary. The movie is being positioned for awards season even as analysts warn Taylor Swift’s one‑off release may blunt its box‑office debut. It opens in UK cinemas on Oct. 3, 2025.