“The Smashing Machine” movie | Indian Lake | November 20-23, 2025

Thursday, November 20, 2025 7:00 PM
Sunday, November 23, 2025 4:00 PM

Indian Lake Theater 6311 New York 30 Indian Lake, NY, 12842 United States (map)

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“The Smashing Machine”: Gritty MMA Drama to Indian Lake Theater

Dwayne Johnson stars in the MMA drama film, "The Smashing Machine" at Indian Lake Theater — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt star in “The Smashing Machine.”

This November, Indian Lake Theater welcomes one of the year's most talked-about biographical dramas when “The Smashing Machine” screens November 20-23, 2025. Directed by Benny Safdie and featuring a career-defining performance from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, this A24 film offers an unflinching look at the price of greatness in the brutal world of mixed martial arts.

A fighter's journey beyond the ring.

In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world while battling opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn. The film chronicles Kerr's life from 1997 to 2000, during his peak as one of the most acclaimed MMA fighters before UFC became the mainstream juggernaut it is today.

Johnson stars as former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples, delivering what critics are calling some of the best work of their careers.

Rather than following the typical sports-movie playbook of triumphant victories and crowd-pleasing moments, Safdie takes a more observational, documentary-style approach, focusing on Kerr as a complex human being struggling with addiction, relationships, and the physical toll of his sport.

What critics are saying.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in the movie "The Smashing Machine" at Indian Lake Theater.

“The Smashing Machine” holds a 70% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the critical consensus praising Johnson's transformative turn while acknowledging that the film sidesteps cliché even at the expense of narrative satisfaction.

Variety's Owen Gleiberman awarded the film high marks, noting that the movie pursues something subtler and more moving than a typical sports film, showing how Mark, who had grown so used to winning, ultimately wins in the most transformative way.

IndieWire praised Johnson's nuanced performance, observing that he bridges without sensation the disconnect between who Mark is in the octagon—intimidating, undefeated, all primal energy—and who he is outside the cage, wounded and insecure.

For those drawn to character-driven drama, one critic noted that the film captures pain, redemption, and vulnerability without ever feeling over the top, making it one of the most heartfelt and well-crafted biopics in recent memory.

Even critics who found the narrative approach challenging acknowledged the performances. The emotional confrontations between Johnson and Blunt were described as scorching, adding significant weight to the film's dramatic core.

Is this film right for you?

“The Smashing Machine” isn't your typical crowd-pleasing sports movie. This is a deliberately paced, character-focused drama that may resonate most with viewers who appreciate films like Raging Bull or The Wrestler—stories about fighters battling demons outside the ring as much as opponents inside it.

MMA and UFC fans will appreciate the authentic casting of real fighters in supporting roles and the film's early 2000s setting, when the sport was finding its identity. However, Safdie's artistic approach focuses more on Kerr's emotional journey than the spectacle of fighting, so those seeking action-packed fight sequences may find the film more contemplative than expected.

The film tackles mature themes, including addiction, relationship struggles, and the physical and emotional toll of professional fighting, making it most appropriate for adult audiences.

Showtimes and information.

The Smashing Machine plays at Indian Lake Theater November 20-23, 2025. For showtimes and tickets, contact the theater directly or visit their website.

Whether you're a longtime MMA fan curious about the sport's early pioneers or a lover of character-driven biographical dramas, “The Smashing Machine” offers a raw, honest portrait of ambition, addiction, and redemption that distinguishes itself from typical sports films through its unflinching authenticity and powerhouse performances.