The Smashing Machine Trailer Packs a Brutal Punch in Latest Teaser
0
5
0
The recently released second official The Smashing Machine trailer from A24 has ignited fresh hype, arriving right after the film's electrifying world premiere at the Venice Film Festival and its epic 15-minute standing ovation.
Directed by Benny Safdie, this biographical sports drama stars Dwayne Johnson in a raw transformation as MMA legend Mark Kerr, grappling with glory, addiction, and love.
With Emily Blunt delivering emotional firepower as Kerr's wife Dawn Staples, the trailer teases intense octagon brawls, personal breakdowns, and a score that hits like a knockout blow.
Dive into this breakdown to see why it's shaping up as a fall awards contender.What
Does the Second Trailer Reveal About the Plot?
The trailer dives deeper into Mark Kerr's chaotic world from 1997 to 2000, blending his rise as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion with off-ring turmoil.
Quick cuts show Kerr dominating foes in brutal fights, only to cut to vulnerable moments of painkiller dependency and rocky romance. It hints at a non-linear vibe, flashing between triumphant submissions and quiet despair, emphasizing how fame crushes the soul.
Unlike the first trailer, this one amps up the intimacy, with voiceovers of Kerr questioning his path, setting up a story that's less about wins and more about the human cost of being unbreakable.
How Has Dwayne Johnson Transformed for This Role?
Dwayne Johnson sheds his action-hero sheen for a prosthetic-heavy, 60-pound slimmer look as Mark Kerr, complete with a mangled ear and haunted eyes that scream vulnerability.
he trailer captures his soft-spoken drawl and explosive rage, from gentle grocery runs to door-smashing meltdowns. Critics at Venice raved about his "revelation" performance, calling it his most layered yet, far from the grinning indestructible type.
It's a bold pivot, earning tears from Johnson during the premiere ovation, and sparking chatter of his first Oscar nod for embodying a fighter's quiet fragility.
Who Rounds Out the Cast and Brings Real Grit?
Emily Blunt shines as Dawn Staples, Kerr's volatile partner, in tense scenes of love laced with codependency that feel nerve-wrackingly real. Real MMA heavyweights add authenticity: Ryan Bader as rival-turned-mentor Mark Coleman, Bas Rutten as Kerr's trainer playing himself, and Oleksandr Usyk in a supporting fighter role.
Their presence grounds the drama, with the trailer showcasing cauliflower-eared cameos that blur docu-style realism and fiction. This ensemble, blending Hollywood stars with ring vets, promises a biopic that punches above its weight in emotional truth.
Why Did the Venice Premiere Earn Such a Massive Standing Ovation?
Fresh off its September 1 premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, The Smashing Machine scored a 15-and-a-half-minute standing ovation, one of the longest of the fest, leaving Johnson, Safdie, and even real-life Kerr in tears.
The crowd's roar celebrated Safdie's Silver Lion win for Best Director and the film's unflinching take on addiction over glory. Attendees like Seth Rogen snapped pics amid cheers, with buzz focusing on its raw humanity rather than rote sports tropes.
It also screened at Toronto on September 8, keeping the momentum alive for an October 3 wide release.
Key Trailer Highlights | Details from Verifiable Sources |
Release Date | October 3, 2025 (theatrical debut by A24) |
Director & Writer | Benny Safdie (solo feature debut, also co-producer and editor) |
Lead Cast | Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr; Emily Blunt as Dawn Staples |
Supporting Cast | Ryan Bader (Mark Coleman), Bas Rutten (trainer), Oleksandr Usyk (fighter) |
Plot Focus | Kerr's MMA peak, painkiller addiction, volatile relationship (1997-2000) |
Festival Buzz | 15.5-minute standing ovation at Venice; Silver Lion for Safdie |
Score Composer | Nala Sinephro (haunting, orchestral swells) |
Production Notes | Filmed May-August 2024 in New Mexico, Tokyo, Vancouver; consulted with real Kerr |
First Trailer Drop | April 29, 2025; Second on September 9, 2025 |
What Makes Benny Safdie's Direction a Game-Changer?
Benny Safdie, fresh off Uncut Gems intensity, crafts a vérité-style biopic that's more free-jazz mosaic than linear slugfest. The trailer pulses with kinetic fight cams and lingering quiet shots, scored by Nala Sinephro's swelling strings that mirror Kerr's inner chaos.
Drawing from the 2002 HBO doc of the same name, Safdie obsesses over liminal moments, like post-fight haze or tender bro hugs, avoiding Rocky clichés for a Buddhist take on ego and recovery. His Silver Lion nod validates the risks, making this his most soulful work yet.
How Does the Trailer's Music and Style Amp the Tension?
That score? It's a beast, with Sinephro's ambient builds crashing into Elvis's "My Way" during montages, echoing Kerr's defiant spirit. Visually, Maceo Bishop's cinematography mixes grainy docu-footage vibes with sleek octagon chaos, using quick zooms and muted palettes to heighten dread.
The edit teases psychological depth, like shattered mirrors symbolizing fractured identity, all while keeping fights visceral but brief. It's A24's gritty poetry, blending indie edge with crowd-pleasing heart for a trailer that lingers like a bruise.
This second trailer cements The Smashing Machine as more than a fighter's tale, it's a knockout exploration of breaking without fully shattering.
With Venice's roar still echoing and October 3 closing in, expect Johnson and Safdie to dominate awards chatter.
Grab tickets early, because this one's built to smash records and hearts alike.
So, what were your thoughts on the second trailer for "The Smashing Machine"? Whatever you guys think, jump down in the comments section below and let us know your thoughts!
