Dwayne Johnson's highly anticipated sports drama The Smashing Machine is making its way to streaming platforms this week, bringing the powerful story of MMA legend Mark Kerr directly into viewers' homes. The film, which represents a significant departure from Johnson's typical action-hero roles, will be available on HBO Max starting Friday, January 23, marking a new chapter for the biopic after its theatrical run.
The streaming debut comes as welcome news for fans who may have missed the movie in cinemas, where it struggled to find its footing commercially. Despite the box office challenges, Johnson's transformative performance has garnered significant attention, with the actor himself calling the experience life-changing. This release strategy highlights the evolving landscape of film distribution, where streaming platforms increasingly serve as a second life for theatrical releases that didn't achieve commercial success but maintain artistic merit.
A Striking Transformation: Johnson Becomes Mark Kerr
In what many critics are calling his most dramatic role to date, Dwayne Johnson disappears into the character of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion who dominated the early days of mixed martial arts. The film, directed by Benny Safdie—known for his intense, character-driven narratives like "Uncut Gems" and "Good Time"—presents a raw and unflinching look at Kerr's rise to prominence and his subsequent battles outside the octagon.
Johnson's physical and emotional transformation for the role has been widely discussed in entertainment circles. The typically charismatic and polished superstar set aside his trademark persona to embody Kerr's imposing physique and complex inner turmoil. The actor spent months preparing for the role, working with fight choreographers, studying archival footage, and undergoing significant physical changes to capture Kerr's distinctive fighting style and mannerisms. This commitment to authenticity required Johnson to not only change his appearance but also to adopt a more subdued, troubled demeanor that contrasts sharply with his usual on-screen confidence.
The film also features Emily Blunt in a key supporting role, adding dramatic weight to the story of Kerr's tumultuous personal life. Together, Johnson and Blunt explore the human cost of professional fighting fame, examining how success in the cage can sometimes lead to chaos outside of it. Their on-screen dynamic provides an emotional anchor for the narrative, showing how addiction and personal demons can strain even the strongest relationships.
The True Story Behind the Film
The Smashing Machine draws its title from both Kerr's nickname and a groundbreaking 2002 HBO documentary that first brought his story to mainstream attention. That original documentary, also titled "The Smashing Machine," chronicled Kerr's career during its peak and provided an unvarnished look at the personal demons that threatened to destroy his legacy. The documentary became a cult classic among MMA fans for its honest portrayal of the sport's dark side.
Kerr's story is one of extraordinary athletic achievement shadowed by profound personal struggle. As a pioneer in MMA, he helped shape the sport during its formative years, winning numerous tournaments and establishing himself as one of the most feared heavyweights of his era. His dominance in the late 1990s and early 2000s earned him a place among the sport's legends, but behind the victories and championships lay a painful reality: Kerr battled a debilitating addiction to opioids, a common but rarely discussed problem among professional fighters dealing with chronic pain from injuries.
The biopic delves deep into this dual narrative, showing Kerr's incredible discipline and skill as a fighter while simultaneously exposing the vulnerability and pain that defined his personal life. His romantic relationships, particularly the tumultuous ones that coincided with his addiction struggles, serve as a central focus of the film's emotional core. The screenplay doesn't shy away from the complexities of Kerr's situation, presenting his story with nuance rather than sensationalism.
Box Office Performance and Critical Reception
When The Smashing Machine hit theaters on October 3, 2025, it failed to generate the commercial success that many expected from a Dwayne Johnson vehicle. The film debuted with just $6 million in its opening weekend, a surprisingly modest figure for a star of Johnson's magnitude. Several factors may have contributed to the underwhelming box office performance, including the film's darker tone, its departure from Johnson's typical blockbuster fare, and competition from other fall releases.
However, box office numbers tell only part of the story. While commercial returns were disappointing, those who did see the film—including many critics—praised Johnson's committed performance and Safdie's direction. The movie has been described as a bold artistic gamble for Johnson, who could have easily continued making safer, more commercially predictable projects like the "Jumanji" franchise or "Fast & Furious" sequels.
In the weeks following the theatrical release, Johnson himself addressed the film's performance with remarkable candor and perspective. Rather than focusing solely on financial metrics, the actor emphasized the personal and professional fulfillment he gained from tackling such a challenging role. His response to the box office results has been praised by industry insiders as mature and artistically grounded.
Johnson's Personal Reflections on the Role
In an October 6 Instagram post, Johnson shared his heartfelt gratitude with fans who had seen the film. "From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched 'The Smashing Machine,'" he wrote. The post reflected a mature understanding of the entertainment industry's unpredictable nature and the disconnect between artistic value and commercial success.
"In our storytelling world, you can't control box office results—but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere," Johnson explained. "And I will always run to that opportunity." This statement encapsulates his approach to the role and his priorities as an actor willing to take risks.
These sentiments echoed comments he made during a post-premiere Q&A at the Toronto Film Festival in September 2025. At that event, Johnson revealed that he had "waited for this opportunity for such a long time, to do something that challenged myself." He added, "I pushed for more and I wanted more," indicating his desire to stretch his abilities as an actor rather than simply rely on his established star power. The festival appearance generated significant buzz, with many attendees noting Johnson's passion for the project and his deep respect for Mark Kerr's story.
The experience of playing Mark Kerr appears to have left a lasting impact on Johnson, who has built a career on playing charismatic heroes. By embracing Kerr's flaws, vulnerabilities, and physicality, Johnson demonstrated a willingness to take creative risks that could redefine his trajectory in Hollywood. Industry observers have noted that this performance might open doors for Johnson to take on more dramatic, character-driven roles in the future.
Streaming Release Details
For those eager to see Johnson's transformative performance, HBO Max will make The Smashing Machine available starting Friday, January 23. New content typically drops on the platform at 3:01 a.m. ET / 12:01 a.m. PT, meaning subscribers can start streaming the film in the early morning hours. This release pattern follows HBO Max's standard protocol for new film additions.
The following day, Saturday, January 24, the movie will also air on the HBO television channel at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. This dual release strategy allows viewers multiple ways to access the film, whether they prefer on-demand streaming or traditional linear television viewing. The staggered release also gives the film two distinct promotional moments, potentially maximizing its reach across different audience segments.
The availability on HBO Max is particularly significant as it places the film on one of the industry's leading streaming platforms, potentially exposing it to a much broader audience than it reached in theaters. The at-home viewing experience may also suit the film's intimate, character-driven nature, allowing viewers to engage with its heavier themes in a more personal setting. Many industry analysts believe that streaming releases can rehabilitate a film's reputation, giving it a second chance to find its audience without the pressure of weekly box office reports.
Digital Purchase and Rental Options
While the HBO Max debut represents the film's first streaming availability as part of a subscription service, The Smashing Machine has been available for digital purchase and rental since its theatrical release. Viewers can find the film on major platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (formerly Vudu).
These options allow viewers who don't subscribe to HBO Max to still access the film, though they will need to pay a separate rental or purchase fee. The digital availability has made it possible for the movie to find its audience gradually, building word-of-mouth momentum that could be further amplified by the HBO Max release. This multi-platform approach reflects modern distribution strategies that prioritize accessibility across various services.
The pricing for digital rentals typically ranges from $5.99 to $19.99 depending on the platform and video quality, while purchase prices generally fall between $14.99 and $24.99. These options have allowed early adopters and MMA enthusiasts to support the film directly, contributing to its digital revenue streams even as theatrical earnings fell short of expectations.
The Cast and Creative Team
Beyond Johnson and Blunt, The Smashing Machine features a talented ensemble cast that brings depth to the story of Mark Kerr's world. While the original article doesn't detail every cast member, the combination of Safdie's direction and the committed performances has been a key talking point among those who have seen the film. Safdie's reputation for extracting intense, raw performances from his actors appears to have pushed Johnson to new heights.
Safdie's involvement is particularly noteworthy. Known for his anxiety-inducing, propulsive filmmaking style, the director brings a gritty, intense aesthetic that perfectly suits the raw nature of Kerr's story. His collaboration with Johnson represents an unexpected but intriguing pairing of mainstream star and indie auteur, suggesting that both were committed to telling Kerr's story with authenticity rather than Hollywood gloss. This creative partnership has been compared to other successful collaborations between action stars and serious directors, such as Adam Sandler's work with Safdie on "Uncut Gems."
The film's producers, including Johnson himself through his Seven Bucks Productions banner, clearly prioritized artistic integrity over commercial calculations. This approach, while potentially limiting the film's box office appeal, has earned respect within the industry for its ambition and honesty. The production team worked closely with Mark Kerr himself to ensure accuracy, a detail that has been appreciated by knowledgeable MMA fans.
Looking Ahead: The Film's Legacy
As The Smashing Machine begins its streaming life, questions remain about how it will be remembered in both Johnson's filmography and the broader landscape of sports biopics. Will it be seen as a noble experiment that paved the way for more risk-taking from major stars? Or will it be a cautionary tale about the limits of audience appetite for darker, more challenging material? The streaming performance may help answer these questions.
What seems certain is that Johnson's performance will stand as a testament to his growth as an actor. By taking on a role that required him to be "almost unrecognizable," both physically and in terms of character, he has added a serious dramatic credit to a resume dominated by action and comedy blockbusters. Film historians may look back on this role as a turning point in Johnson's career, similar to how other action stars have reinvented themselves through dramatic roles.
For MMA fans, the film offers a look at one of the sport's early pioneers, bringing Kerr's contributions to a new generation of viewers who may not be familiar with his legacy. The attention to detail in the fight choreography and the depiction of early UFC events has been praised for its authenticity. For general audiences, it provides a compelling, if difficult, exploration of the price of athletic greatness and the human frailty that exists even in the strongest among us.
The streaming release on HBO Max gives the film a second chance to find its audience, and perhaps to be reevaluated without the pressure of opening weekend numbers. In the comfort of their homes, viewers may be more receptive to the film's challenging subject matter and more appreciative of Johnson's departure from his usual persona. This phenomenon, often called "streaming redemption," has helped numerous films achieve cult status after initial commercial disappointment.
Conclusion
The Smashing Machine represents a pivotal moment in Dwayne Johnson's career—a deliberate choice to prioritize artistic challenge over commercial safety. As it arrives on HBO Max and HBO, the film invites viewers to look beyond the box office narrative and appreciate a performance that Johnson himself describes as life-changing. The streaming platform provides an ideal venue for this reappreciation, allowing the film to reach viewers who appreciate character-driven drama.
Whether you're a fan of MMA, a follower of Johnson's career, or simply someone who appreciates ambitious filmmaking, the streaming release offers an opportunity to engage with one of the most talked-about performances of 2025. The story of Mark Kerr, as told through Johnson's committed portrayal, serves as a powerful reminder that true strength often lies not in physical dominance, but in the courage to confront one's own demons. As the film finds its second life on streaming, it may finally receive the recognition that eluded it in theaters, proving that some stories are worth telling regardless of their commercial prospects.