The Smashing Machine sets HBO Max release date for Dwayne Johnson biopic

The Smashing Machine, the biographical sports drama starring Dwayne Johnson, has officially set its streaming release date.

The film will debut on HBO Max on January 23, giving audiences another opportunity to watch Johnson’s most dramatic on-screen transformation to date.

Directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine chronicles the life of former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr. Kerr was a dominant force in mixed martial arts between 1997 and 2009, earning four ADCC World Championship titles during his career. The film explores both his professional success inside the cage and the personal struggles that defined his life outside of it.

Johnson stars as Kerr alongside Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s wife, Dawn Staples. The supporting cast includes MMA legend Bas Rutten, Lyndsey Gavin, and heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. The project marks Safdie’s first solo feature as a director, following his previous collaborations with brother Josh Safdie on Uncut Gems and Good Time.

The Smashing Machine also reunites Johnson and Blunt after their 2021 collaboration on Disney’s Jungle Cruise. The pair are next set to appear together in a forthcoming Hawaiian crime thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and co-starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Despite opening to a modest $5.9 million at the domestic box office, Johnson has spoken positively about the film’s impact on his career. In a post shared after opening weekend, the actor expressed gratitude to audiences and praised Safdie for pushing him to fully transform for the role. Johnson described the project as life-changing and emphasized his commitment to pursuing challenging and emotionally demanding performances.

With its HBO Max debut approaching, The Smashing Machine is expected to reach a wider audience through streaming.