The Smashing Machine

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a smashing machine, having smashed box office records and smashed audience expectations with films like Fast and Furious 5, Fast and Furious 6, Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious. Moreover, he also smashed the hierarchy of power in the DCEU with Black Adam, resulting in the DCEU's capitulation and the release of the Brilliant James Gunn Superman. He gives the people what they want. Mediocre to average mindless blockbusters. But now, The Rock is here to smash the awards ceremonies and try to win over the pretentious and artsy letterboxed users by teaming up with the brilliant Benny Safdie, one half of the directorial team that made Good Time and Uncut Gems. Safdie reminded us how good an actor Adam Sandler is; hopefully, he does the same with The Rock. Starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Emily Blunt and various boxers/wrestlers in supporting roles such as Oleksander Usyk, The Smashing Machine follows the life of MMA champion Mark Kerr and his struggles with drug addiction. It will signal a landmark change in The Rock's career path, which he will be hoping ends with him holding a little golden man standing upon a garish stage. Will it happen? No clue, can't predict the future. But in the meantime, why not watch one of the most interesting, intense and anxiety-inducing young directors work with the five-time winner of the highest annual paid actor in Hollywood.

Aidan White