Three College of the Sequoias students went for the opening weekend premiere of The Smashing Machine, the latest film from Uncut Gems director Benny Safdie, based on the true story of MMA pro Mark Kerr. A fighter of great athletic prowess amid the early days of mixed martial arts, Kerr’s life outside the ring was more complicated, too — a brutal struggle with addiction, stardom and a quest to make sense of his life that the movie presents with surprising complexity. This performance is one of Dwyane Johnson’s most prominent and emotionally intense of his acting career. No more typical action-comedy moments fans might expect from Johnson. Instead, The Smashing Machine is a drama of struggle, the fight of losing focus to the pain that comes with fighting inside your own psyche and the anguish you feel from inside yourself fighting in the cage.

Johnson’s depiction of addiction was portrayed as powerful and real, capturing the anguish and confusion in an attempt to repair shattered lives. The film also focuses on Kerr’s best friend and training partner, Mark Coleman, another founder of the early UFC era. Coleman serves as a mentor, acting as an emotional touchstone to describe how friendship and shared adversity shape an athlete’s career.

Kerr and Coleman are represented throughout the film not as fighters so much as men who helped laid the groundwork for what would become one of the world’s most famous combat sports. But there was a central critique from all three students: the pacing. The movie sometimes has a slow pace, particularly in the middle, where emotional contemplation often precedes action. Although the slower rhythm allows for some character-building, it doesn’t comfortably align with the audience’s desire for quick battles. This pacing might put those who expect heavy action scenes to the test.

All things considered, The Smashing Machine is an impressive step for Dwayne Johnson, showcasing a bold and emotionally charged story that highlights his dramatic range. Though its pacing moves slowly, the raw emotion and the real look at the price you pay for greatness leave a lasting impact. This movie pays tribute to both Mark Kerr and Mark Coleman, true giants of the game.