Overview

• Benny Safdie’s solo-directed biopic stars Dwayne Johnson as MMA pioneer Mark Kerr with Emily Blunt as Dawn, expanding nationwide after festival premieres.
• Reviews widely applaud Johnson’s unrecognizable performance and the film’s visceral fight craft, with several critics noting an uneven narrative focus.
• The drama draws from the 2002 HBO documentary, with Safdie confirming condensed and altered details for storytelling while aiming for a truthful portrayal.
• Mark Kerr consulted closely on the production, publicly supports the film, and has fact-checked depictions of his addiction and relationship dynamics.
• Authenticity is boosted by MMA figures on screen, including Ryan Bader as Mark Coleman and Bas Rutten as himself, alongside notable prosthetic work and sound design.