Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt and Benny Safdie Get a Josh Brolin 'Smashing Machine' Boost
The box office results may have been underwhelming, but Benny Safdie’s film “The Smashing Machine” has found devoted supporters. With growing enthusiasm around it, A24 is confidently promoting the film for awards season consideration.
On Tuesday evening, actor Josh Brolin drove from Santa Barbara to the Academy’s Lynwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood to host an engaging Q&A with Safdie and stars Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. Brolin, a self-proclaimed fan, led a discussion filled with anecdotes and admiration among the participants.
Set in the early 2000s, “The Smashing Machine” presents Johnson as Mark Kerr, a trailblazing UFC fighter who defies expectations about the sport. Emily Blunt portrays his wife at the time, Dawn Staples, a woman confronting her own emotional struggles.
Emily Blunt shared that she cried the first time she saw Dwayne Johnson transformed into Mark Kerr.
The film earned Benny Safdie the Best Director award at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. The Hollywood Q&A was described as a heartfelt exchange among artists who respect one another’s craft. Although Brolin and Johnson have never collaborated on screen, Brolin previously starred with Blunt in “Sicario,” while Blunt and Johnson co-led “Jungle Cruise.”
Critical Response and Industry Buzz
- Critics have praised the film as “insightful,” “smart, funny, and easy to digest,” and “always informative and honest.”
- The strong chemistry among the cast has been highlighted in several post-screening discussions.
- A24’s campaign positions the film as both emotionally resonant and artistically ambitious.
Author’s Summary
Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson’s emotional performances in Benny Safdie’s “The Smashing Machine” have fueled awards buzz and renewed appreciation for its human depth beyond its UFC setting.