Overview

• The film premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival on Sept. 1, with Johnson and solo director Benny Safdie visibly emotional during the extended applause.
• Early reviews from major outlets describe Johnson’s turn as authentic and career-redefining, fueling immediate awards-season buzz.
• Emily Blunt co-stars as Dawn Staples in a story that tracks Kerr’s ascent in early MMA alongside personal struggles, including painkiller dependence and intense performance pressure.
• Johnson undertook a rigorous makeover with 13–14 prosthetic pieces applied over hours by Oscar winner Kazu Hiro, paired with a widely noted slimming of his physique.
• A24 is set to release The Smashing Machine in theaters on Oct. 3, 2025, as the film continues to vie for Venice’s Golden Lion to be awarded Sept. 6.