“The Smashing Machine” is generating plenty of hype ahead of its theater release.
The Mark Kerr biopic was recently screened at the Venice Film Festival with Dwayne “The Rock Johnson, Kerr, Emily Blunt and director Benny Safdie in attendance. At its conclusion, the film received a 15-minute ovation that left Kerr and Johnson in tears. According to Variety, it was one of the longest ovations at the festival this year.
Produced by A24, the biopic chronicles the mixed martial arts journey of Kerr, who rose to fame while competing in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championships before being derailed by opoid addiction.