By Malcolm McMillan
Copyright tomsguide
Skip to main content
Tom’s Guide
Newsletters
View Profile
Search Tom’s Guide
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Over-Ear Headphones
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Connections
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
Operating Systems
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
Home Brands
Popular Brands
View Phones
Phone Insights
Phone Best Picks
Phone Deals
Phone Face-Offs
Phone How-Tos
Phone Reviews
Network Carriers
View Network Carriers
Android Phones
View Android Phones
Google Phones
Motorola Phones
OnePlus Phones
Samsung Phones
Nothing Phone
TV Best Picks
TV Face-Offs
Audio Insights
View Audio Insights
Audio Best Picks
Audio Deals
Audio Face-Offs
Audio How-Tos
Audio Reviews
Headphones
View Headphones
Over-Ear Headphones
View Speakers
Bluetooth Speakers
Smart Speakers
TV & Audio Brands
Entertainment
View Entertainment
View Streaming
Streaming Devices
Prime Video
Paramount Plus
View Gaming
PlayStation
Handheld Gaming
Gaming Peripherals
Word Games
Connections
View Computing
Computing Insights
Computing Best Picks
Computing Deals
Computing Face-Offs
Computing How-Tos
Computing News
Computing Reviews
VPN Best Picks
VPN Face-Offs
VPN How-Tos
VPN Reviews
View Hardware
View Software
Operating Systems
View Security
Identity Theft Protection
Parental Controls
Malware & Adware
View VR & AR
Virtual Reality
Augmented Reality
Smart Glasses
View Laptops
Chromebooks
Gaming Laptops
View Desktops
Apple Desktops
Gaming Desktops
View Tablets
Android Tablets
Computing Brands
AI Insights
AI Best Picks
AI Face-Offs
AI Engines
Google Gemini
Apple Intelligence
View Wellness
Mattresses
View Mattresses
Mattress Best Picks
Mattress Deals
Mattress Face-Offs
Mattress How-Tos
Mattress News
Mattress Reviews
Mattress Care
Mattress Toppers
Pillows & Bedding
View Fitness
Smartwatches
Fitness Trackers
Smart Rings
Apple Watch
Home Insights
Home Best Picks
Home Face-Offs
Home How-Tos
Home Reviews
Home Topics
Home Appliances
Home Office
Home Security
View Outdoors
Home Brands
Popular Brands
Apple iPhone 17 Event LIVE
Best of IFA 2025
The World in 2035
Wordle Today
Best laptops
Best Mattress
Don’t miss these
Paramount Plus
Paramount Plus just added this iconic Christian Bale movie ahead of its 15th anniversary
Entertainment
35 summer movies we can’t wait to see in theaters, Netflix and more
Netflix drops trailer for ‘deeply moving’ drama movie with 97% Rotten Tomatoes score — and it looks like a visual treat
5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and more (June 24-30)
Netflix Drops Another Look at New Political Thriller Movie From an Oscar-Winning Director — And I’m Counting Down the Days
One of my favorite action movies of last year just returned to Peacock — why you should stream it right now
Prime Video
5 new to Prime Video movies with 90% or higher on Rotten Tomatoes
Netflix just set a release date for this highly anticipated comedy-drama — and it tells the behind-the-scenes story of one of the best films ever made
Netflix’s new crime thriller just became one of my most anticipated movies of the summer — and you need to watch the gripping trailer now
5 best new movies to watch this weekend on Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu and more (July 19-20)
The first trailer for the Bruce Springsteen biopic with Jeremy Allen White just dropped and I couldn’t be more excited
Netflix drops first trailer for Cillian Murphy’s new drama movie — and it already has me counting down the days
Prime Video
Prime Video’s new deep-sea diving thriller is so intense, I had to pause and take a breather before I could finish it
7 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock and more (June 28-29)
Not to be dramatic, but the new ‘Predator: Badlands’ trailer just soft-launched the ‘Alien’ crossover I was secretly hoping for
Entertainment
The Rock’s new movie just got a moving new trailer and I’m already seeing Oscar gold
Malcolm McMillan
9 September 2025
‘The Smashing Machine’ is now my most-anticipated movie of the fall
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: A24/X (Twitter))
My most anticipated movie of the fall won’t come directly to one of the best streaming services, though it will eventually come to HBO Max. But after watching the latest trailer for “The Smashing Machine,” I’ve decided that I just can’t wait. This movie is a must-see in theaters when it debuts in the U.S. on October 3, 2025.
If you’ve never heard of “The Smashing Machine” before, you’ve definitely heard of the people involved with this movie about legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Written and directed by Benny Safdie, who most famously co-wrote and co-directed “Uncut Gems” with his brother Josh in 2019, it stars Dwayne Johnson (who is officially dropping “The Rock” on the callsheet for this movie) as Kerr, a pioneer in the early days of professional mixed martial arts and the UFC. He’s joined by Academy Award-nominee Emily Blunt, who is playing Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples.
The Smashing Machine | Official Trailer 2 HD | A24 – YouTube
For a movie about fighting, the trailer isn’t high-octane. There’s some fighting, but it mostly focuses on the blood, sweat and tears that Kerr, Staples and those around him poured into making Kerr one of the greatest fighters in the early days of professional MMA and UFC.
You may like
Paramount Plus just added this iconic Christian Bale movie ahead of its 15th anniversary
35 summer movies we can’t wait to see in theaters, Netflix and more
Netflix drops trailer for ‘deeply moving’ drama movie with 97% Rotten Tomatoes score — and it looks like a visual treat
I’ll be shocked if “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson and Blunt aren’t in the Oscar conversation come awards season next year.
It’s also not giving the chaotic vibes of “Uncut Gems,” a movie that felt like a car crash you couldn’t escape from (and I don’t mean that as an insult). Instead, we get a moving score and a remarkably reserved performance from Johnson as Kerr.
Don’t get me wrong — it’s still clearly The Rock on screen. His physical presence doesn’t allow you to forget who he is in real life. That physicality is turned up to 11 to play Kerr, a former DI champion collegiate wrestler and Olympic hopeful whose size is on par with Johnson’s on an average day.
But Johnson’s usual mannerisms — the swagger, the way he dominates a room by the way he talks (let alone his size) — these are all set aside. He’s almost diminutive at times in terms of his on-screen presence, even though he’s a literal hulk, potentially powered by God knows what performance-enhancing drugs. Blunt is easily just as present in scenes, never overpowered, and at times driving the scene, while Johnson is along for the ride.
“The Smashing Machine” is already impressing those who have seen it. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently has an 83% “fresh” rating, though even the negative reviews call it more underwhelming than an outright disappointment or flop. It also just debuted at the Venice International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion (Best Picture) and won the Silver Lion (Best Director). I fully expect that these won’t be the last awards it contends for (or wins), and I’ll be shocked if “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson and Blunt aren’t in the Oscar conversation come awards season next year.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom’s Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
Malcolm McMillanStreaming Editor
Malcolm has been with Tom’s Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He’s not one to shy away from a hot take, including that “John Wick” is one of the four greatest films ever made.
Here’s what he’s been watching lately:
Netflix just dropped the first official trailer for its upcoming big-budget thriller and it gave me chills
‘Peacemaker’ Star Steve Agee Talks About Working with His New DCU Scene Partner in Season 2
Prime Video’s ‘Upload’ Ends With an Uneven Season 4 — But Fans Should Still Stream It
Streaming device deals not to miss
Roku Streaming Stick 4K (2021)
$38.99View
See all prices
Google Chromecast with Google TV
$25.77View
See all prices
Apple TV 4K (2022)
$135.49View
See all prices
Roku Express 4K+ (2021)
$27.99View
See all prices
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max 2023
$39.99View
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
See more Entertainment News
Malcolm McMillan
Social Links Navigation
Streaming Editor
Malcolm has been with Tom’s Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He’s not one to shy away from a hot take, including that “John Wick” is one of the four greatest films ever made.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Paramount Plus just added this iconic Christian Bale movie ahead of its 15th anniversary
35 summer movies we can’t wait to see in theaters, Netflix and more
Netflix drops trailer for ‘deeply moving’ drama movie with 97% Rotten Tomatoes score — and it looks like a visual treat
5 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, Hulu, Peacock and more (June 24-30)
Netflix Drops Another Look at New Political Thriller Movie From an Oscar-Winning Director — And I’m Counting Down the Days
One of my favorite action movies of last year just returned to Peacock — why you should stream it right now
Latest in Movies
7 top new movies to stream this week on Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video and more (Sept. 9-15)
7 best new movies to stream this weekend on Netflix, Disney Plus, HBO Max, and more (Sept. 6-7)
All ‘Conjuring’ movies ranked from worst to best
This is the one Jacob Elordi movie you should watch now if you can’t wait for ‘Wuthering Heights’ — and it’s not ‘Saltburn’
‘Superman’ returns: James Gunn reveals when ‘Man of Tomorrow’ hits the DCU
‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’ review: Lays the saga to rest with heart, though the fright factor is exorcised early
Latest in News
The Rock’s new movie just got a moving new trailer and I’m already seeing Oscar gold
Samsung confirms the tri-fold phone will launch later this year — here’s what we know
PS6 won’t abandon physical games, claims new report
How to watch UAP Hearing live: FREE stream of UFO witnesses testifying live in Congress, Ross Coulthart watchalong
Proton VPN sign-ups in Nepal rocket to 8,000% over the baseline in response to social media ban
How to watch ‘Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams’ on BBC iPlayer — it’s *FREE*
LATEST ARTICLES
Samsung confirms the tri-fold phone will launch later this year — here’s what we know
PS6 won’t abandon physical games, claims new report
Forget Apple Watch — shop these 7 Garmin deals up to 40% off right now
31 killer Amazon deals under $50 — fall must-have discounts on apparel, Lego, home decor and more
Proton VPN sign-ups in Nepal rocket to 8,000% over the baseline in response to social media ban
Tom’s Guide is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
Terms and conditions
Contact Future’s experts
Privacy policy
Cookies policy
Accessibility Statement
Advertise with us
Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street,
Please login or signup to comment
Please wait…
