Overview

• Written and directed by Benny Safdie, the A24 drama stars Johnson as MMA champion Mark Kerr opposite Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples.
• The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival to sustained applause, with reviews highlighting Johnson’s performance and an 80% Rotten Tomatoes score reported at the time.
• Johnson told CBS he pursued a raw dramatic turn, saying he was nervous on day one and tapped painful teenage memories to portray Kerr’s despair.
• He said the transformation included roughly three hours of makeup and prosthetics each day to alter his appearance.
• Industry trackers now suggest a stronger domestic opening than early forecasts, with estimates rising from $6–$10 million to around $20 million, and the U.S. theatrical launch set for October 3.