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 portray Mark Kerr in the film The Smashing Machine, as the duo campaigned for Oscar recognition. Despite disappointing box office results, Benny Safdie’s film still has strong supporters.
The support is significant enough that A24 is actively pursuing awards season prospects for the movie. 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 stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. Brolin is one of the film’s fans.
Critical Reception
- “Insightful”
- “Smart, Funny, Easy To Digest, And Always Newsworthy”
- “Always Informative And Honest”
Subscribe to THE BREAKDOWN Newsletter for exclusive entertainment industry and awards season commentary. It’s free and sent twice a week.
About The Film
Set primarily in the early 2000s, The Smashing Machine features Johnson as Mark Kerr, a pioneering UFC fighter challenging stereotypes about his profession. Blunt plays Kerr’s wife at the time, Dawn Staples, who is grappling with her own struggles.
The film earned Benny Safdie the Best Director prize after its premiere at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The Q&A event felt like a celebration of the film’s talents.
Cast Connections
- Though Brolin and Johnson have been longtime friends, they have never appeared together on screen.
- Josh Brolin starred alongside Emily Blunt in Sicario.
- Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson worked together on Jungle Cruise.
Emily Blunt on watching Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr: “I cried the first time I saw it.”
Author’s summary: Despite modest box office success, "The Smashing Machine" gains critical acclaim and heartfelt support from its cast and fans, boosting its awards season potential.