Our take
The Smashing Machine stars Dwayne Johnson as fighter Mark Kerr facing fame and addiction. Rated R for language and some drug abuse. Expect brutal MMA bouts, needle use, relationship conflict, and frequent profanity. A gritty sports drama for older teens, not kids interested in wrestling alone
Uplifting themes
Honesty about addiction and asking for help glimmers Subject is talented but deeply flawed 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
Scores are 0–5: 0 means none; 5 means the strongest we flagged in that category.
Details
Violence Extended MMA fights with bloody injuries
Extended MMA fights with bloody injuries
Language Heavy f-word in training, fights, and home fights
Heavy f-word in training, fights, and home fights
Sex / nudity Relationship intimacy implied; sports drama focus
Relationship intimacy implied; sports drama 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; no horror gore
Fight blood and bruises; no 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
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?