{"id":2068675,"date":"2025-10-04T13:17:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T13:17:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2068675"},"modified":"2025-10-04T13:17:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T13:17:12","slug":"dwayne-johnson-is-transformative-in-the-smashing-machine-but-theres-another-performance-i-hope-people-start-celebrating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/dwayne-johnson-is-transformative-in-the-smashing-machine-but-theres-another-performance-i-hope-people-start-celebrating\/","title":{"rendered":"Dwayne Johnson Is Transformative In The Smashing Machine, But There&#8217;s Another Performance I Hope People Start Celebrating"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.<\/i><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: A24<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">In the months leading up to the release of <em>The Smashing Machine<\/em> on the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/upcoming-movies-2025-movie-release-130453990.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:2025 movie schedule;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">2025 movie schedule<\/a>, there was a lot a talk about <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/movies\/articles\/dont-know-youve-ever-asked-194907350.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Dwayne Johnson\u2019s transformation;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Dwayne Johnson\u2019s transformation<\/a> to play UFC and PRIDE legend Mark Kerr. Johnson not only lived up to the hype in the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/movies\/articles\/spiraling-time-rock-gets-real-210945418.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:performance of a lifetime;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">performance of a lifetime<\/a>, but he exceeded it in every way imaginable. I don\u2019t have a say in picking nominations for any of the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cinemablend.com\/television\/upcoming-awards-shows-movies-tv-music\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:upcoming awards shows;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">upcoming awards shows<\/a>, but I\u2019ll be shocked if the wrestler-turned-actor does get a few nods when it\u2019s all said and done.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">However, after watching Benny Safdie\u2019s hard-hitting and emotionally gruelling sports biopic, there\u2019s another performance I hope people start celebrating. No, it\u2019s not <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/movies\/articles\/know-gonna-rip-rib-cage-191226604.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Emily Blunt\u2019s Dawn Staples;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Emily Blunt\u2019s Dawn Staples<\/a> or Bas Rutten playing himself (though both are great). It&#8217;s Ryan Bader\u2019s portrayal of Mark Coleman, Kerr\u2019s longtime friend, coach, and competitor.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Ryan Bader in The Smashing Machine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/wxuKs4Maop8eEVWb5Vkw6A--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cinemablend_388\/c17741a42c1ec07aab326984fabad016\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: A24<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">Ryan Bader&#8217;s Portrayal Of Mark Coleman Is Honestly One Of The Best Parts Of The Smashing Machine<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There\u2019s a lot to love in <em>The Smashing Machine<\/em>. From Dwayne Johnson\u2019s transformative performance that was so good I sometimes forgot I wasn\u2019t watching the real Mark Kerr to an <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/movies\/articles\/one-wild-rule-benny-safdie-201818608.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:unmatched attention to detail by Benny Safdie;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">unmatched attention to detail by Benny Safdie<\/a> to the way the movie looks like the documentary on which it was based, I was hooked. But I was not expecting a supporting character like Ryan Bader\u2019s Mark Coleman to blow me away like this. It was so unexpected, so understated, and so powerful.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Several times throughout the movie (especially the second half), I found myself caring more for Coleman\u2019s journey than anything else that was happening. An aging fighter trying to win one last tournament to win a life-changing amount of money to provide for his family, Coleman was the heart and soul of this thrilling and dramatic biopic. I was rooting for him to prove the world wrong, overcome the odds, and buy his daughter a new bike. It was so damn touching.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Ryan Bader in The Smashing Machine\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/WLvfwSXfsniZwm5MooZbxA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/cinemablend_388\/53927547344ff9b82b5b4ed2e96d6f60\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Credit: A24<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">I Couldn&#8217;t Believe This Was Bader&#8217;s First Acting Role<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Going into <em>The Smashing Machine<\/em>, I was fully aware of <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/shorts\/Kna5Rp89Swo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Ryan Bader\u2019s mixed martial arts career;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">Ryan Bader\u2019s mixed martial arts career<\/a>. From his time on <em>The Ultimate Fighter<\/em> to his stint in the UFC to his time in Bellator MMA, I\u2019ve watched a number of his fights over the years. However, I had no idea that <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/great-performances-actors-playing-famous-213500965.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:his portrayal of Mark Coleman;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">his portrayal of Mark Coleman<\/a> was his first acting role. I was blown away by the nuanced and impressive performance he gave on screen, especially as a counterbalance to Dwayne Johnson\u2019s take on Mark Kerr.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Just as he\u2019s handled himself in the octagon all these years, Bader held his own when sharing scenes with Johnson, Emily Blunt, and everyone else who shows up in <em>The Smashing Machine<\/em>\u2019s two-hour runtime. There are countless examples of this, but I keep going back to a heartbreaking scene in a hospital room where Bader and Johnson share an emotional conversation that\u2019s Oscar-worthy in itself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">I don\u2019t know what the future holds for Ryan Hader in terms of acting, and this could very well be a one-and-done for the mixed martial artist. If that\u2019s the case (I hope it\u2019s not), what a remarkable performance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: A24 In the months leading up to the release of The Smashing Machine on the 2025 movie schedule, there was a lot a talk about Dwayne Johnson\u2019s transformation to play UFC and PRIDE legend Mark Kerr. Johnson [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1989002,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[326505,305874,313617,360077,344655,384204,360534],"class_list":["post-2068675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-benny-safdie","tag-dwayne-johnson","tag-emily-blunt","tag-mark-coleman","tag-mark-kerr","tag-ryan-bader","tag-smashing-machine"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/If-You-Needed-Some-BTS-Pics-Of-The-Rocks-Tree.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2068675"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2068676,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068675\/revisions\/2068676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1989002"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2068675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2068675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2068675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}