The Rock’s ‘The Smashing Machine’ Scores Huge with Critics Ahead of October Release

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is getting serious love from critics for his new film The Smashing Machine, which debuted with a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The movie, produced by A24, tells the real-life story of former MMA fighter Mark Kerr, with The Rock taking on the lead role in one of the most dramatic performances of his career. When the film first hit Rotten Tomatoes, it landed a flawless score from the first eleven critics. At the time of writing, the rating sits at 93% based on fourteen reviews—still one of the best-reviewed projects The Rock has ever done.

The Smashing Machine is set to hit theaters on October 3. The film also features Emily Blunt and cameos from real combat sports figures including Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk.

In a recent interview with Variety, The Rock addressed his career shift and explained why this project means so much to him. Reflecting on his early years in Hollywood, he said, “You don’t know what you’re capable of because you’re so pigeonholed.”

With early critic reactions praising Johnson’s performance and A24’s gritty approach to Kerr’s chaotic life, fans are expecting this role to be a defining moment in The Rock’s acting career.

Are you planning to watch The Smashing Machine when it hits theaters? Let us know if you’re into this more serious side of The Rock in the comments below.

September 1, 2025 7:17 pm

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