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The Smashing Machine

2025·Movie
2h 3min·R
IMDb6.3Metacritic655.6Rotten Tomatoes71%61%

Where to watch

HBO Max

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

What's your score?

Your score

The Smashing Machine fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Brutally violent and thrilling

Fast from start to finish.

  • Violence9
  • Adrenaline8
  • Fast Pace8

Heart

Moving

  • Pathos7
  • Melancholy6
  • Catharsis6

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor4
  • Physical Comedy3
  • Wit & Wordplay2

World

Everyday modern life, a real life story, and sports

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality7
  • Rewatchability6

Craft

Standout performances, characters, and direction

  • Acting9
  • Character Depth9
  • Direction8

Style

Standout cinematography and editing

  • Cinematography8
  • Editing8
  • Music Composition7

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

Graphic violence bothers youYou want something quiet and calm

Find more like it

Psychological movies

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The unforgettable true story of a UFC legend.

In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
BiopicMMAAddictionSports DramaPsychological PortraitLate 90sRise and FallCharacter Study

Crew

Directed by:
Benny Safdie, David Tierney Lerner, Misha Bukowski
Written by:
Benny Safdie
Produced by:
Dwayne Johnson, Benny Safdie, Dany Garcia
Composed by:
Skip Lievsay, Skip Lievsay, Steve Baine

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about The Smashing Machine

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream The Smashing Machine legally?

HBO Max

The Smashing Machine is included with a subscription to HBO Max in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is The Smashing Machine worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 65/100 (IMDb 6.3, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 65). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is The Smashing Machine rated?

RViolenceStrong languageDrug use

It's rated R in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, and drug use.

How long is The Smashing Machine?

2 h 3 min

The Smashing Machine runs 2 h 3 min.

Is The Smashing Machine based on a true story?

Yes. It's based on real events or a real person's life.

Do critics and audiences agree on The Smashing Machine?

Critics68
Audiences60

Not quite. Critics rate The Smashing Machine higher (68) than audiences (60). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

Was The Smashing Machine a box office hit?

Budget$50 million
Box office$21 million

No. It cost about $50 million to make and earned $21 million worldwide, 42% of its budget.

What language is The Smashing Machine in?

EnglishJapaneseUkrainian

It was made in English, with some Japanese, Ukrainian. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch The Smashing Machine?

71ADAEAGARATAUBBBEBMBOBRBSBZCA+57

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for The Smashing Machine in 71 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does The Smashing Machine use?

FauxshadowJerkass Has a PointThe PerfectionistGraceful LoserAs HimselfHero of Another StoryForeshadowingAwful Wedded LifeRepurposed Pop SongImportant HaircutBreaking the Fourth WallGray-and-Gray Moralityand 5 more

TV Tropes lists 17 storytelling tropes for The Smashing Machine, including Fauxshadow, Jerkass Has a Point, The Perfectionist.