The Smashing Machine review – Dwayne Johnson only possible casting as crisis-riddled UFC champ Mark Kerr

Former pro wrestler Johnson takes on the role of man-mountain Kerr who goes into meltdown when the unthinkable happens – he losesBenny Safdie has written and directed a solid bro drama for the UFC fanbase and maybe a little way beyond. It is about the central crisis in the life of man-mountain Mark Kerr, America’s pioneering MMA and ultimate fighting champ, who in 1997 found himself in the ring, or maybe the cage, with his demons after the unthinkable humiliation of losing for the first time.This feature is in fact developed from a 2002 documentary about Kerr with the same title. He confronted his substance abuse, relationship anxieties and the question of what the heck life is for if you can’t simply win all the time. Kerr is played by Dwayne Johnson, a colossus of muscle topped off with a head the size of Indiana Jones’s boulder, a body on which the only visible fat is rippling at the nape of his neck. Johnson’s appearance is modified by close-cut frizzy hair and facial prosthetics that make him look like Jon Favreau playing the Hulk. No other casting was remotely possible – not unless Timothée Chalamet fancied bulking up. (Sacha Baron Cohen could do it these days, and would probably want to play it every bit as seriously and non-satirically as Johnson.) Continue reading...

Comments

Culture

The Paper actor Domhnall Gleeson tells viewers: ‘We’re not bringing The Office back’

Independent

The Golden Bachelor season two: Meet the 23 women — all but one over the age of 60 — who will compete for Mel Owens’ heart

about 3 hours ago

NFL RedZone host announces major change to broadcast hours before season starts

Independent

Comments

Culture

The Paper actor Domhnall Gleeson tells viewers: ‘We’re not bringing The Office back’

Newlywed tells wife he would have ‘preferred’ another woman on first day of marriage

Fans scream ‘life is worth living’ after major update from Hayley Williams

'A master of his craft' - Legendary fashion designer Giorgio Armani dies

'He doesn't follow trends': How celebrities described Armani over the years

The Golden Bachelor season two: Meet the 23 women — all but one over the age of 60 — who will compete for Mel Owens’ heart

NFL RedZone host announces major change to broadcast hours before season starts

I’m A Celebrity All Stars ‘signs up Olympic legend after saying no to Strictly’

Lady Gaga’s new song The Dead Dance proves TikTok has changed music forever

Experiencing pain? Sanjay Gupta explains why 'It Doesn't Have to Hurt'

“Erupcja” Starts Charli XCX’s Acting Career on a High Note

Annabelle doll handler’s cause of death finally revealed months after ‘haunted’ tour

Wednesday star addresses fans who have ‘read queer undertones’ into Enid relationship

Batman star calls backlash over his role ‘so racist and stupid’

Who is Scooter Braun? The controversial music manager rumoured to be dating Sydney Sweeney

WWE superstar reveals why she hates Rhea Ripley’s racy ‘pretzel’ pin

From Gere to Gaga: The best celebrity looks created by Giorgio Armani

'Task' is a new, compelling crime drama from the creator of 'Mare of Easttown'

A clash of the comebacks: Osaka and Anisimova face off in the U.S. Open semifinals

Honey Don’t! review – a star-studded lesbian trifle that sadly lacks focus

Rosie O’Donnell hits back at Trump with Epstein dig after president threatens to revoke her citizenship

Hugh Bonneville interrupts live TV interview with urgent Gaza plea

Sting’s High Court royalty dispute to return in January

Emerald Fennell's first trailer for Wuthering Heights is here and it looks freaky as hell

The Defector: KGB agent's defection after Soho drink drive arrest changed the shape of the Cold War

The best TV to watch this autumn: from Celebrity Traitors to Slow Horses Season 5

BBC bosses ‘stand by Strictly star accused of cocaine use’ after police probe

Morrissey puts his business interests in The Smiths up for sale - and hits out at ex-bandmates

Film about Gaza child's killing gets record ovation at Venice

SNL alum Jorma Taccone left unable to walk after 20-foot fall from ladder

Hugh Bonneville interrupts live TV interview with urgent Gaza plea: ‘Indefensible’

Steven Soderbergh: ‘I’m cured of wanting to make anything you could label as “important”’

Justin Bieber is already teasing a follow-up to his new album ‘Swag’

Date set: Bluey feature film to be released in cinemas

Benedict Cumberbatch and Louis Theroux join Together for Palestine concert

Bluey movie gets August 2027 release date

‘Triumphant’ biopic on beloved British musician now streaming for free

Star Trek actor left ‘enraged’ about sci-fi show’s first-ever musical episode

In Our Time: Who will replace Melvyn Bragg on the much-loved Radio 4 programme?

Why kids are all posing like this in pictures

We Should Have Never Walked On The Moon at the Southbank Centre review: an irresistible rush of horny vibes

Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand named TikTok song of the summer after Jet2 trend

Lady Gaga in first collaboration with Tim Burton on The Dead Dance video

Suede on Oasis, anti-nostalgia and 'society at breaking point'

Superb TV show that fans couldn’t stop bingeing ‘cancelled after 2 seasons’

Trump shares distorted Rosie O’Donnell photo amid threats to revoke her US citizenship

Lady Gaga issues statement over ‘agonising decision’ to cancel Miami show minutes before start time

Seth Meyers takes Trump’s mockery of his talent as compliment

‘Harrowing’ drama earns record 23-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival

Wuthering Heights fans livid at ’50 Shades of Brontë’ after raunchy trailer drop

‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ opens to record 24-minute standing ovation at Venice film festival

Downton Abbey bids farewell with The Grand Finale premiere in London

Channing Tatum’s failed Thor audition left him with invaluable acting advice

Sam Fender’s arena tour gives huge cash boost to UK’s grassroot venues

Downton Abbey producer hints grand finale film may not spell end for franchise

Morrissey puts his business interests in The Smiths up for sale and takes swipe at ex-bandmates

Sam Fender’s tour raised £100,000 to boost grassroots music venues

Madonna biopic still a ‘work in progress’ says lead star

Patrick Hemingway, last surviving child of literary giant Ernest Hemingway, dies at 97

Alex Warren’s hit song Ordinary named the UK’s Official Song of the Summer 2025