A24's Biggest Gamble Yet? Why ‘The Smashing Machine' is Unlike Any Biopic Before
A24 has always been the cool kid at the film festival party—selective, stylish, and slightly mysterious. But with The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, they're making their boldest bet yet. Scheduled for an October 3 release, this film doesn't just promise blood, sweat, and octagon glory—it's apparently indescribable in tone and style.
The film chronicles the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a dominant force in the no-holds-barred era of early 2000s UFC, whose career was as legendary as it was plagued by substance abuse. But don't expect a Bohemian Rhapsody or even The Wrestler—early buzz suggests Safdie's take isn't playing by the usual biopic rulebook.
So, the question is: Can The Smashing Machine break through the noise of traditional sports dramas and redefine what a biopic can be?
Dwayne Johnson Like You've Never Seen Him Before
Let's be real—when you hear “Dwayne Johnson” and “MMA biopic,” your brain probably fills in the blanks: over-the-top action, triumphant training montages, and a predictable redemption arc. But if Safdie's involvement tells us anything, it's that this movie won't be a feel-good, fist-pumping Hollywood sports flick.
Johnson himself has teased that this will be his most “raw” and “unvarnished” performance to date—an intriguing promise from a guy whose career has thrived on polished, family-friendly charisma. If Safdie can tap into the kind of vulnerability that Darren Aronofsky pulled from Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler, we could be looking at a major awards-season dark horse.
The Biopic Problem: Can A24 Fix It?
Biopics are Hollywood's comfort food—always around, occasionally excellent, but often predictable. Whether it's Rocketman or King Richard, we've seen the same three-act formula recycled over and over:
- The Rise – Young talent discovers their gift.
- The Fall – Success leads to addiction/betrayal/self-destruction.
- The Redemption – Cue the emotional climax and hopeful ending.
But A24 has a habit of breaking formulas. From Uncut Gems to Everything Everywhere All At Once, they specialize in the unconventional. The fact that The Smashing Machine is being described as “indescribable” suggests it won't spoon-feed audiences a neat-and-tidy underdog story. Instead, we might get something messier, more psychological, and brutally honest.
Venice or New York? Where Will ‘The Smashing Machine' Make Its First Move?
Film festivals are like a chessboard for Oscar hopefuls. Right now, The Smashing Machine is penciled in for a Venice Film Festival premiere, but some insiders suspect it could opt for the New York Film Festival instead.
Why does this matter?
- Venice = Prestige. It's where Joker and The Whale made their debut. A win here means instant credibility.
- NYFF = Industry Respect. More intimate, less glitzy, but packed with cinephile cred.
Skipping Venice would be a risky move, but maybe that's the point. A24 is no stranger to unconventional marketing, and positioning The Smashing Machine as an “anti-blockbuster” biopic could set it apart.
Will Audiences Show Up?
Here's the million-dollar question: Will general audiences embrace a film that refuses to be easily categorized?
Biopics thrive on familiarity—people want to see their heroes' stories play out the way they expect. But The Smashing Machine seems more interested in challenging viewers than comforting them.
That's a gamble.
If it works, we might be looking at the future of sports biopics—something closer to a Black Swan or Requiem for a Dream than a Remember the Titans. If it flops, well, at least A24 will have another cult classic on their hands.
Either way, come October 3, one thing is certain: The Smashing Machine won't be just another sports movie.
Final Thought: A Knockout or a Wild Swing?
A24's The Smashing Machine could be the biopic that finally breaks the mold—or it could alienate audiences expecting something more straightforward. Either way, it's shaping up to be one of 2024's most intriguing releases.
So, are you ready for a Dwayne Johnson performance that isn't all muscle and charm? Let's talk in the comments.
