FilmThe Smashing MachineDirector: Benny SafdieA24, Out for the Count, Seven Bucks ProductionsIn Theaters: 10.03.25Benny Safdie loves to save careers. With his solo debut, The Smashing Machine, a film chronicling the struggles of UFC fighter Mark Kerr, Safdie intends to save Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s (Black Adam, Moana) career. Johnson makes Mark Kerr charming, in spite of his intimidating monster-man presence, because he is so gentle. Though it often subverts your expectations of a sports film, especially with what you’d expect from The Rock, ultimately and unfortunately, The Smashing Machine devolves into a textbook sports picture as it nears its conclusion. Allan JohnsonRead more film reviews by B. Allan Johnson:Film Review: Cheese BaitFilm Review: Friendship