Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Benny Safdie Boost Josh Brolin's 'Smashing Machine'
Emily Blunt shared why she cried the first time she saw Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr in the campaign for Oscar recognition for The Smashing Machine. Although the box office performance was underwhelming, Benny Safdie’s film has garnered strong supporters. This support has encouraged A24 to pursue awards season opportunities.
On Tuesday night, Josh Brolin traveled from Santa Barbara to the Academy’s Lynwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood to moderate an engaging Q&A with Safdie and the film's stars, Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. Brolin is also one of the film’s enthusiastic fans.
Critical Reception
- Insightful
- Smart, Funny, Easy to Digest, and Always Newsworthy
- Always Informative and Honest
The Smashing Machine is set mainly in the early 2000s and features Johnson as Mark Kerr, a pioneering UFC fighter who challenges typical stereotypes of the sport. Blunt plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples, who is also confronting personal struggles.
The film earned Safdie the Best Director award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival premiere.
Q&A Highlights
The event, like many talent-hosted Q&As, was a celebration of the film and its cast. Though Brolin and Johnson, longtime friends, have never appeared together on screen, Brolin starred alongside Blunt in Sicario, while Blunt and Johnson collaborated in Jungle Cruise.
"The film shows a side of the UFC fighter that likely doesn’t fit whatever preconceived notions you may have for his profession."
The Smashing Machine continues to find its audience and critical acclaim despite early box office results.
Author's Summary: The Smashing Machine, led by Johnson and Blunt under Safdie’s direction, gains awards buzz and fan support despite modest commercial success.
Would you like the tone to be more formal or conversational?