This is our spoiler-free review of The Smashing Machine, the latest A24 film directed by Benny Safdie and starring Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Ryan Bader. As part of our TIFF coverage, we share our thoughts on the film’s documentary-style look and feel, Dwayne’s first dramatic role, Emily Blunt’s standout performance, and why the story left us wanting more. We’ll break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether this could be the start of a new chapter in Dwayne’s career.