🥊 The Smashing Machine (2025) In Dolby Atmos: Almost Knocked Out

4 Out of 5 Bags 💰💰💰💰

Written by Jonathan Garcia

The Smashing Machine

Leaving the theater was like leaving a fight ringside but “vintage style”. The Smashing Machine is a great story based on MMA legend Mark Kerr and the development of the sport. The acting is on point. It’s interesting and good to see The Rock in a different role. Shout out Bas Rutten. MMA & Jiu Jitsu are some favorite pastimes of mine. Now, let's talk Dolby Atmos! 

🎧 Dolby Atmos

The Dolby Atmos helps transport us from 2025 to 1997. The movie begins with a classic tape visual (this continues throughout the film and the tape changes from higher quality to lesser) which felt and sounded like we were watching through an old tube TV or  like some VHS tapes. The vocals stay center but surround us with this old TV ambience, pretty cool! As we watch the first fight with Kerr in the ring the movie begins to upgrade quality and the transition from vintage tv noise to tasty synths begins to creep above us. For the way this movie was filmed I think the Atmos fits well with the entire delivery. All the music really stands out and gives us a full spectrum for the audio and Dolby Atmos range. 

🔊 Dynamics & Loudness

It didn’t sound over compressed when it was only dialog and our ears weren’t blown out when the ring chaos happens or when the music really starts to kick in. The balance of the music and dialogue felt great! There was nothing too thin, sharp or distracting to the ears when experiencing this film. The immersive range was used to its fullest with music and kept more “5.1” during vintage VHS scenes.

🎚️LFE

Great LFE! Since we are set in a nostalgic time. The sound also is set that way. The LFE brings the rumbles to the ring! If you’ve ever been to a real fight this displays the energy well. The music also has great LFE.

🎬 Favorite Moments

• The VHS intro: This was fun how it felt so vintage and they were able to immerse us with that old TV buzz. Kinda funny but awesome memories iykyk lol

• Crowds: All the scenes with crowds really put us ringside or in the crowd with the other fans witnessing some fighting history.

• The Locker Room: Yeah, I've been hitting the gym lately and can confirm that they NAILED the sound of the locker room. I was actually smirking when I heard how accurate it sounded.

• Radio House: This showed us LAYERS. Dwayne turns on the radio in his house and begins to walk all around room to room (big house, nice house, good job the rock!) The radio follows! So if we turn it on upstairs and walk down to the kitchen we still hear it upstairs (placed above us) and this goes for the entire scene. It was like apple spatial audio and the radio was our center and we walked all around it! Impressive.

• Star Spangled Banner: Beautiful and well done. 

• The Music: I was SHOCKED. The mix for the music and diversity in genre was great! Incredible balance of vintage audio nostalgia with 2025 Dolby Atmos. The music had punch, dynamics, and captured the emotional distress during intense moments like the hospital scene or “Better the Door than your Face”. 

💡 Final Thoughts

4 Out of 5 Bags 💰💰💰💰

4 out of 5 Bags!!! This film goes quick and shows tremendous acting, a beautiful insight to the beginnings and some hardships to the world of MMA. All of the audio was tasteful! Taking us into the 90’s and keeping us in a sonic world of 2025. Without the strong Dolby Atmos maybe the film wouldn’t translate the way it did. If you have time, go sit ringside and enjoy watching the 12 rounds of “The Smashing Machine”!