The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		0.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.0

The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman January 16, 2026

The Smashing Machine joins a rather interesting aggregation of feature films which had their geneses in documentaries, but in this case The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr may be the preferable way to get to know the focal individual, despite the "version"'s commanding performance by Dwayne Johnson as Kerr. But even a good "fake" probably can't really compare to "the real thing", and that may be where this dramatized if not outright fictionalized version of Kerr's life may end up not connecting as strongly as the "true life" version, which came out in 2002. This is the sort of star vehicle designed seemingly for one major purpose: to reinvent an actor for the public and (probably just as saliently) to get that actor some award(s) recognition. In that particular, um, arena, both Johnson and co-star Emily Blunt recently received Golden Globe nominations for their work in the film, and I suspect that at least Johnson will get an Academy Award nomination when those are announced in a week or so (as this review is being written), but I also suspect that much as with the Golden Globes, no actual statuettes will be given to Johnson (and/or Blunt). As excellent as both of the stars inarguably are, the film itself tends to stagger a bit somewhat like a UFC combatant who may have taken a few too many sharp jabs to the head.

While The Smashing Machine certainly (sorry) hits the same major points as its eponymous documentary source, there are some framing and narrative differences that frankly may not redound to benefit of this scripted version. There is still an overall narrative involving Kerr's nascent career in the UFC universe while also documenting his relationship struggles with (not really a spoiler) ultimate wife Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt) and his bouts with substance abuse in both the performance enhancing and pain management categories. But what is this dramatized version supposed to accomplish that the documentary didn't, other than provide star turns for Johnson and Blunt? Some may feel not much, frankly, and for that reason this film will probably oddly seem like a kind of slightly distant echo of the documentary's more visceral treatment of the same general material.

Arguably one of the other problems is that at least at times it's not even the same general material as actual recreations of moments that are in the original documentary, which again may beg the question: why? What did Benny Safdie, who wrote and directed, and Johnson want to accomplish with this feature that the original documentary didn't? And again the answer may simply be the opportunity it provided Johnson to show his range and do something different.

If things are kind of either intentionally or unintentionally mirror like in terms of certain narrative aspects between the documentary and the feature, it's in the stylized cinematography and editing that this version may offer the most viscerally compelling moments. There is some fascinating technical information imparted by Safdie in his commentary in terms of the almost insane sounding workflow that was accomplished in post to give the film its rather distinctive look (at least a bit more about that in the video section, below). And Safdie's editing, especially in the pummeling fight sequences, is exceptional and gives the film some undeniable momentum that arguably the actual story side of things can't sustain.

The fact that The Smashing Machine actually ends with a brief coda featuring the real Mark Kerr (and suddenly in crystal clear imagery, as also discussed below) perhaps subliminally undercuts all that has gone before in the dramatized version, leading to some justifiable questioning as to why Safdie simply didn't helm a new documentary featuring what happened to Kerr after the original one was released.

Note: My colleague Brian Orndorf was perhaps a bit more positively inclined toward the film. You can read Brian's thoughts here.

The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Note: While this is a standalone 4K release without a 1080 disc, I am offering screenshots from A24's standalone 1080 release of The Smashing Machine as I think it actually provides a better representation of the look of the palette in particular, rather than offering screenshots from the 4K disc which are by necessity downscaled to 1080 and in SDR. Because this release does not include a 1080 disc, the 2K video score above has been intentionally left blank.

The Smashing Machine is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of A24 with an HEVC / H.265 encoded 2160p transfer (mostly) in 1.78:1. (Some bookending material, an opening that is supposedly a kind of quasi-VHS quality proto YouTube video, and the aforementioned coda featuring the real Kerr are closer to Academy Ratio). Aside from some really interesting information imparted by Safdie himself in his commentary track, those interested may want to read any number of online articles and/or interviews about the intricate post production workflow of the film, including here, here and here for even more context. The upshot is that the so-called "25mm" look of the bulk of the film is kind of unavoidably sui generis and one that owes a substantial part of its appearance to tweaks to the source footage. What that means in terms of image quality in this 4K version is arguably a less subliminal presentation of some unusual variances in grain structure, something that becomes more apparent at this resolution and with the blandishments of HDR / Dolby Vision than in the 1080 version. Just watching the grain against brighter backgrounds in particular can reveal little quirks like quasi-chroma effects that accrue only around certain parts of the grain field (some of these effects were no doubt intentional, as described in some of the above linked articles). The 16mm source, which might be jokingly referred to as having been both degrained and regrained (again as per information imparted above and in the commentary), can't help but tamp down fine detail levels at times, at least in midrange and wider framings, but things are generally quite well detailed, at least in more stationary moments away from the fighting rings. The Dolby Vision / HDR grades add a good deal of (sorry again) punch to the proceedings, and blues in particular resonate incredibly strongly in this version. Some of the almost orange to peach to sepia tones in the latter part of the film in particular also have lustrous highlights in this version. The coda featuring the real Kerr is a more traditional high definition capture which suddenly offers noticeably improved clarity and detail levels, albeit in a narrower aspect ratio.

The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Smashing Machine features a Dolby Atmos track that definitely lives up to the film's title's adjective. While the fight scenes of course offer superb immersion with almost gigantic wave like reactions from the crowd interspersed with discretely channelized cracks, pops and smacks from the actual battles, the soundtrack also benefits from a glut of source cues which are used both diegetically and as quasi-underscore, all of which add to surround activity very enjoyable. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: This review copy came from A24's own website, but I'm assuming the now widely available release is the same.

• Commentary with Writer-Director Benny Safdie


• What It Means to Be a Fighter: Making The Smashing Machine (HD; 25:08) offers some interesting background on the kind of long gestational period the project experienced, and includes a number of worthwhile interviews with Safdie, Johnson and Blunt.


• 16mm Camera Test (HD; 9:09)


• Deleted Scenes

Bob's Burgers (HD; 2:38)




Buddhist Temple (HD; 4:00)

This comes in A24's typical DigiPack which encloses several art cards in its left pocket. Everything is housed in a slipbox.

The Smashing Machine 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

As a star turn, or pair of star turns, The Smashing Machine wins that particular bout in a veritable knockout. As an actual film, especially when compared to its progenitor, it may at least intermittently be down for the count. Technical merits are first rate and the supplements very enjoyable, for anyone who may be considering making a purchase.