Overview

• A24’s biopic from director Benny Safdie, his first solo feature, debuts nationwide with Johnson portraying MMA pioneer Mark Kerr during a late‑1990s stretch of his life.
• Critics widely praise Johnson’s career‑best work and strong supporting turns, while several reviews cite uneven focus and pacing in the film’s structure.
• Safdie emphasizes authenticity by casting real fighters and consulting Kerr, though he acknowledges condensing and altering events to pursue a truthful representation.
• Mark Kerr publicly endorses the depiction, has fact‑checked specific scenes, and describes watching the film as therapeutic following its festival premiere.
• The release follows festival momentum and renewed attention on Kerr, including his 2025 UFC Hall of Fame induction and recent representation deals.