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Director Benny Safdie has just released the second trailer for his highly anticipated film, The Smashing Machine. This project marks a solo venture for Safdie, who is known for his work as part of the acclaimed Safdie Brothers duo alongside his brother Josh.

Recently premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Best Director award, the film is currently making waves at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) before its theatrical release on October 3, 2025.

The Smashing Machine tells the gripping story of Mark Kerr, a trailblazing fighter in the worlds of UFC, PRIDE, and VFC during the height of his career in 2000. The film explores the complexities of Kerr’s life, including his struggles with addiction, the pressures of victory, and the challenges of love.

Starring Dwayne Johnson in a powerful lead role, complete with impressive facial prosthetics, the film also features Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend. The cast includes notable names such as Lyndsey Gavin, Oleksandr Usyk, Ryan Bader, Satoshi Ishii, along with Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros appearing as themselves.

Having seen the film at Venice, I can say it’s solid, though Johnson and Blunt truly shine as the standout performances. The narrative, however, follows a familiar path of a tough guy battling personal demons while fighting in the ring.

Check out the second trailer and poster for The Smashing Machine on YouTube. If you missed it, you can also rewatch the first trailer for more exciting footage.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, this film is his first solo feature, having previously co-directed films like Good Time and Uncut Gems with his brother. The script benefits from insights provided by the real Mark Kerr himself, ensuring authenticity in the storytelling.

Produced by Eli Bush, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Dwayne Johnson, David Koplan, and Benny Safdie, A24 is set to release The Smashing Machine in U.S. theaters this fall.