The Smashing Machine 2000 Arcade: JoBlo Explores an Exciting NYC Pop-Up Event
JoBlo Originals
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The film awards season is heating up, and once again, A24 is making waves with their latest release, The Smashing Machine. This film features Dwayne Johnson in what many consider his most serious and compelling role to date, portraying the trailblazing MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Alongside him is the talented Emily Blunt, who co-stars in the movie.
What’s truly fascinating is the unique marketing strategy A24 has employed for this film. JoBlo was lucky enough to be invited to an exclusive event in New York City called The Smashing Machine 2000 Arcade. This pop-up was a nostalgic yet innovative promotional experience, blending classic fighting arcade games with a brand-new Smashing Machine MMA fighting game. The venue also featured a real boxing ring, sparring gear on display, and other immersive elements that made the atmosphere electric. It was, without a doubt, a seriously cool event.
One of the standout attractions was a boxing punch machine, reminiscent of the iconic one from Rocky IV. Attendees could test their punching power measured in PSI. I gave it a shot and managed a 750 PSI punch—not quite the legendary 1400 PSI of Drago, but hey, it’s a start! Clearly, I need to refine my technique if I want to reach that level.
But here’s where it gets controversial: the real highlight was supposed to be the appearance of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Emily Blunt themselves. Unfortunately, by the time I arrived, they had already left the event for reasons unknown. It was a bit disappointing, but the experience wasn’t over. I had the chance to chat with director Benny Safdie, which turned out to be a fantastic opportunity. He shared some exciting insights that really got me pumped for the film.
One of the most thrilling tidbits was about Oleksandr Usyk, a current favorite boxer of mine and the undisputed lineal champion in both the heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions. Usyk makes his acting debut in this film, playing the role of MMA kickboxing legend Igor Vovchanhcyn. Benny Safdie revealed that when Usyk and Johnson stepped into the ring for their fight scene, the entire crew and filmed audience were electrified by the intensity and authenticity of their clash. This behind-the-scenes moment alone makes the movie a must-watch.
Adding to the excitement, the event featured some fantastic merchandise giveaways. Every attendee walked away with a free shirt—identical to those worn in the film—and a poster, making for some great keepsakes from the experience.
After the event, I had the chance to watch the movie, and it exceeded all my expectations. Following the buzz and acclaim it garnered on the film festival circuit, The Smashing Machine truly lives up to the hype. Dwayne Johnson delivers a career-defining performance as Mark Kerr, while Emily Blunt shines as his girlfriend, Dawn Staple. The film masterfully balances high-energy MMA action with deeply emotional moments that resonate on a personal level.
I genuinely believe this film is poised for Oscar recognition and will be remembered as one of the standout movies of 2025. I’m giving it a solid 9 out of 10, a rating echoed by our own Chris Bumbray (https://www.joblo.com/the-smashing-machine-tiff-review/). The only minor drawback I noticed was the film’s score and music, which at times felt a bit overpowering and distracted from some of the most powerful scenes.
You don’t have to be a combat sports enthusiast to appreciate this movie. Dwayne Johnson has proven he’s far more than just a blockbuster action star—his acting skills have clearly evolved to a new level.
What do you think? Are you excited to see Johnson take on such a serious role, or do you feel his action star persona might overshadow the drama? And how do you feel about athletes like Oleksandr Usyk crossing over into acting? Share your thoughts below—let’s get the conversation started!
