What we flagged
View all categories
Our take
Dwayne Johnson plays fighter Mark Kerr facing fame and addiction in this M drama rated for language and some drug abuse. Brutal MMA bouts, needle use, relationship conflict and frequent profanity run through it. A gritty sports drama for older teens, not kids interested in wrestling alone.
Uplifting themes
Honesty about addiction and asking for help glimmers through The subject is talented but deeply flawed A useful prompt on opioid risk in contact sports
Story (may spoil tone)
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
What we flagged
Details
Violence Extended MMA fights with bloody injuries
Extended MMA fights with bloody injuries
Language Heavy f-word use in training, fights and home fights
Heavy f-word use in training, fights and home fights
Sex / nudity Relationship intimacy is implied; the sports drama stays in focus
Relationship intimacy is implied; the sports drama stays in focus
Drugs / alcohol Opioid dependence and injection use are central
Opioid dependence and injection use are central
Frightening Emotional volatility and injury stress, not horror
Emotional volatility and injury stress, not horror
Self-harm / suicide No self-harm found in this title
No self-harm found in this title
Sexual violence No sexual violence found in this title
No sexual violence found in this title
Child peril / abuse No child peril found in this title
No child peril found in this title
Bullying / discrimination No bullying found in this title
No bullying found in this title
Gore / death / weapons Fight blood and bruises, without horror gore
Fight blood and bruises, without horror gore
Dangerous behaviour Drug misuse and fighting carry real-world risks
Drug misuse and fighting carry real-world risks
Eating disorders / body image Weight-cutting and body pressure in fight sports
Weight-cutting and body pressure in fight sports
Mental health Addiction, rage and relationship breakdown dominate
Addiction, rage and relationship breakdown dominate
Gambling No gambling found in this title
No gambling found in this title
Grief / bereavement No grief found in this title
No grief found in this title
Flashing lights We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
We have not confirmed whether this version contains flashing lights.
Family watch notes
What other parents think.
Be the first family to leave a watch note.
Talk after watching
- Mark wins in the cage but struggles outside it. What pressures follow sudden fame?
- Opioids ease pain but create new problems. How do athletes manage injury?
Ask ClearAge
The Smashing Machine
Ask about this guide, or name another film to open its ClearAge page.