The Smashing Machine

09/10/2025 38 min
The Smashing Machine

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Episode Synopsis

In today’s episode, we go on a Solo Movie Date to see The Smashing Machine.We talk through The Smashing Machine and unpack its performances, story, and Safdie’s signature style.We also discuss the new Taylor Swift album “The Life of a Showgirl,” Josh Safdie’s Timothée Chalamet–starring ping pong movie Marty Supreme, and Bad Bunny playing the Super Bowl, plus my failed attempt to get to Glasgow.So get comfy and let’s jump into our Solo Movie Date.TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction to Solo Movie Dates 01:00 The Life of a Showgirl 04:52 Marty Supreme 05:47 Bad Bunny Super Bowl 06:44 Solo Movie Date 13:13 The Smashing Machine RecapTHE SMASHING MACHINE The Smashing Machine (2025) is a gritty biographical sports drama directed, written, and co-produced by Benny Safdie. The film stars Dwayne Johnson in a transformative performance as mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr, chronicling his meteoric rise in the late 1990s, his battles with addiction, and the emotional strain on his relationship with Dawn Staples (Emily Blunt).Featuring supporting roles from Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk, and shot on 16mm film with a score by Nala Sinephro, The Smashing Machine captures the chaos and vulnerability behind the cage. It premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where Safdie won the Silver Lion, and was released in theaters by A24. In cinemas now.Join the Community: I want to hear your thoughts! What movies should we cover next? Slide into the DMs on Instagram at @SoloMovieDatesPodcast. I'm also looking for TV recommendations for my Christmas couch rot, so let me know what you're watching!Support the Show: If you’ve listened to more than one episode, I’d really appreciate a follow or a subscribe. And if you’re feeling generous, leave a little five-star review! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.