‘The Smashing Machine’ Review: Licking Wounds, In and Out of the Ring

"The Smashing Machine" is a film that follows the journey of a professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson's character, as he navigates the challenges of his career and personal life. While Johnson's performance is praised, the movie's overall narrative is deemed problematic. The film focuses on the wrestler's struggles both inside and outside the ring, exploring themes of injury, addiction, and the toll of the sport on its participants. However, critics argue that the movie's storytelling choices ultimately undermine the complexity of the subject matter, failing to provide a nuanced or insightful exploration of the issues it seeks to address. The review suggests that the film's focus on sensationalism and melodrama ultimately detracts from its potential to deliver a more meaningful and thought-provoking portrayal of the realities faced by professional wrestlers. While Dwayne Johnson's performance is a bright spot, the movie as a whole is criticized for telling the wrong story and missing the mark in its depiction of the sport and its impact on those who participate in it.