Hollywood's Latest Brawl: Good Clean Violence or Another Sign of Decay?

A Return to Form, or Just More of the Same? A Look at “The Smashing Machine”

Folks, let’s be honest. Hollywood these days… it’s a mess. Too much flash, not enough substance. Remakes, reboots, and stories that insult our intelligence. So, I went into “The Smashing Machine” – the new action thriller everyone’s been talking about – with a healthy dose of skepticism. And I have to say, I was… cautiously optimistic.

Now, I’m not one of these critics who needs a movie to be a “statement.” I want to be entertained. And “The Smashing Machine” delivers on that front. It’s a gritty, no-holds-barred look at the underground world of… well, smashing. The premise is simple: a former champion, haunted by his past, is drawn back into the brutal competition. It’s been done before, sure, but the execution here is… effective.

The action sequences are, predictably, the film's strongest point. They’re raw, visceral, and thankfully, not relying on shaky cam nonsense. You can actually see what’s happening. And the lead actor, a newcomer named Jaxon Reed, is a revelation. He’s got the physicality, the brooding intensity, and a surprisingly nuanced performance. It’s a shame the script doesn't give him much to brood about beyond the standard “tragic past” tropes.

That’s where the film falters. The story is… thin. Predictable. It’s a paint-by-numbers revenge tale. We’ve seen this all before, and “The Smashing Machine” doesn’t really offer anything new to the genre. There’s a lot of emphasis on the physicality of the fighting, but very little development of the characters or exploration of the themes.

And frankly, I was a little concerned about some of the… shall we say, enthusiasm for violence. It’s not gratuitous, per se, but it’s certainly relentless. While I understand the film is supposed to be gritty and realistic, there’s a point where it feels… excessive. It glorifies a dangerous lifestyle without offering any real context or critique.

With a 73% rating, it's clear the critics are generally agreeable. I suspect that's mostly due to the action. It is well-done. But that doesn't make up for the lack of substance.

Final Verdict: “The Smashing Machine” is a solid action film, but it’s nothing groundbreaking. If you’re looking for mindless entertainment and enjoy a good fight, you’ll probably enjoy it. But if you’re looking for a thought-provoking or emotionally resonant experience, you’ll be disappointed. I’d say it's worth a matinee, and Fandango is offering triple FanRewards points right now if you buy three or more tickets, so that’s a plus. But don't expect a masterpiece. It's a solid 6/10 from me.