Benny Safdie is best known for making acclaimed indies such as Good Time and Uncut Gems alongside his older brother Josh, their films noted for their chaotic camerawork and scuzzy New York City energy. Like the Coens and Wachowskis before them, the directing siblings have gone their separate ways, and sports biopic The Smashing Machine marks Benny’s debut solo effort. Based on the 2002 documentary of the same name, the plot follows former MMA fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) through his career in the ring, his turbulent relationship with girlfriend Dawn (Emily Blunt), and his dangerous addiction to prescription painkillers.
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