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 duo campaign for Oscar recognition. Despite disappointing box office results, Benny Safdie’s film The Smashing Machine has strong supporters, prompting A24 to pursue awards season prospects.
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 also a fan of the film.
Critical Reception
- Insightful
- Smart, Funny, Easy To Digest, And Always Newsworthy
- Always Informative And Honest
Film Setting and Roles
Set mainly in the early 2000s, The Smashing Machine features Johnson as Mark Kerr, a pioneering UFC fighter who defies common stereotypes. Blunt plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife at the time, who faces her own struggles.
Awards and Festival Success
The film premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where Benny Safdie won the Best Director prize.
Q&A Atmosphere and Cast Connections
The event felt like a celebration of the project. Although longtime friends Brolin and Johnson have never worked together on screen, Brolin appeared in Sicario with Blunt, while Blunt and Johnson starred in Jungle Cruise.
Emily Blunt on seeing Johnson as Mark Kerr: "I cried the first time I saw him in this role."
Summary: The Smashing Machine, praised for its insightful storytelling and performances, is gaining awards buzz despite modest box office results.