Dwayne Johnson takes on a very different challenge in The Smashing Machine, portraying Mixed Martial Arts pioneer Mark Kerr, a role that left him feeling “very scared” of failure, according to co-star Emily Blunt. The sports drama examines Kerr’s career at the turn of the millennium, alongside his struggle with opioid addiction and his turbulent relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, played by Blunt. Both actors were pushed physically and emotionally by the demands of the film.
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Johnson, better known for his blockbuster roles, admitted to feeling the pressure of stepping into a complex dramatic character. Blunt recalled encouraging him to embrace that fear rather than resist it. “I told him I feel terrified before every film, and that it can actually push you to do something great,” she said. “It prevents you from just clocking in and out — you need that sense of bracing yourself for impact every day.” She added that Johnson slipped into the role of Kerr with surprising ease, noting how “unnervingly effortless” his transformation was.
The film explores not only Kerr’s professional life but also his volatile relationship with Staples. Blunt described the intensity of performing those explosive scenes, saying the trust and friendship she shares with Johnson allowed them to navigate such emotionally taxing material. “The scenes are wild and hazardous, and what they do to your nervous system is real,” she explained. “Having someone I truly trust by my side made all the difference.” She also stressed that, despite the chaos, Kerr and Staples shared a deep love, a dynamic she sought to portray faithfully.
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Blunt and Johnson both met their real-life counterparts in preparation for the film, with Blunt reflecting on how candid Dawn Staples was about her struggles. This helped her capture the character’s complexity, balancing love, anger and addiction. “She saved his life, but she was also battling her own demons,” Blunt said. The film has already earned strong reviews, with critics praising both leads for their raw, vulnerable performances. Johnson, in particular, has been tipped as a potential contender for Best Actor at the 2026 Oscars — a career milestone that Blunt described as richly deserved.
