The Rock Is Unrecognizable in New Look at 'The Smashing Machine' (2025)

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has drawn criticism over the past few years for playing versions of himself in his movies. But, A24's The Smashing Machine, directed by Uncut Gems' Benny Safdie, is giving the actor and former WWE star a chance to truly transform. In the upcoming film, Johnson will move away from playing another quipping action hero to bring the real MMA legend, Mark Kerr, to life in the new biopic.

New images of Dwayne Johnson as Mark Kerr have been released, and it might be The Rock's most drastic transformation so far. The images were shared on Instagram by Kerr himself. When "The Rock" and "transformation" are used in the same sentence, many assume it to be a physical transformation, with the muscular actor getting in even better shape. While that is also true in this case, as Johnson appears to have bulked up significantly for The Smashing Machine, it is the make-up and prosthetics that have truly turned The Rock into Mark Kerr.

The second photo is the most striking as it shows Johnson and Kerr side by side. Aside from the obvious difference in hair, The Rock looks eerily similar to the sporting legend. This is the best look fans have received of Johnson in full make-up for the movie since the first promo still was released last year. The Smashing Machine is currently slated to release on October 3, 2025.

'The Smashing Machine' Is a "Weird" Biopic

While regular moviegoers haven't even seen a trailer for The Smashing Machine yet, the first test screenings have already taken place. Per World of Reel, the first reactions to the new A24 movie are incredibly surprising. According to the report, The Smashing Machine doesn't play like a usual biopic, and is "indescribable in tone and style." The report went so far as to call it "a spoof of the biopic genre." In fact, it is reported to be "one of the weirdest A24 films ever produced" — which is shocking considering the studio is behind Killing of the Sacred Deer, Men, Swiss Army Man, and Under the Skin.

While the first reactions to the movie may be bizarre, Dwayne Johnson's performance has received high praise from another MMA vet. Former Pancrase champion, Bas Rutten, who also stars in The Smashing Machine, says that The Rock embodies Mark Kerr in his performance. "He did a good job," Rutten told the Geeking Out podcast. "DJ [Dwayne Johnson] was, it was scary, there was a moment where he was talking to the Japanese press, and I just walk over, and I'm standing, it was a real scene. Everything was filmed like it really happened. His voice, he started speaking like Kerr."

Mark "The Smashing Machine" Kerr was a two-time heavyweight UFC champion, and also competed in other highly-regarded organizations like Pride and the IFL. The Smashing Machine will reportedly examine Kerr's career in the Octagon, as well as his very complicated personal life between fights.

Source: Instagram, World of Reel, Geeking Out

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The Smashing Machine

Drama

Release Date

October 3, 2025

Director

Benny Safdie

Writers

Benny Safdie

Producers

Beau Flynn, David Koplan, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Tracey Landon

Cast

See All

• 

  Dwayne Johnson

  Mark Kerr

• 

  Emily Blunt

  Dawn Staples

• 

  Lyndsey Gavin

  Elizabeth Coleman

• 

  Ryan Bader

  Mark Coleman

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