Dwayne Johnson has spent decades building himself into one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars — a global icon known as much for his blockbuster charisma as his sculpted physique. But at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, Johnson unveiled a very different side of himself. His new film, The Smashing Machine, received a 15-minute standing ovation, leaving the actor overcome with tears and sparking serious talk of an Oscar breakthrough.
For an actor long celebrated for popcorn entertainment, this may be the career-defining pivot he’s been working toward.
A Career Built on Strength, Now Defined by Vulnerability
Johnson’s Hollywood run has been dominated by big franchises — Fast & Furious, Jumanji, Black Adam — roles designed around charisma, action, and physical dominance. He’s played heroes, warriors, and comic foils. But critics often noted the absence of roles that demanded raw vulnerability.
The Smashing Machine changes that narrative.
- Role: Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion.
- Director: Benny Safdie, known for Uncut Gems and Good Time.
- Tone: A brutal, unflinching character study that dives into addiction, identity, and redemption.
For the first time, Johnson has stripped away the “invincible Rock” persona, trading spectacle for subtlety.
The Smashing Machine: A Story Beyond the Octagon
Mark Kerr’s real-life journey is one of triumph shadowed by despair. At the height of his career in the late 1990s, Kerr was celebrated as one of the fiercest fighters in mixed martial arts. Yet outside the cage, he struggled with substance abuse and personal turmoil.
The film highlights:
- Early dominance: Kerr’s meteoric rise in MMA, where his sheer athleticism and wrestling pedigree made him nearly unbeatable.
- Hidden battles: His dependence on painkillers and the psychological toll of fighting.
- Redemption arc: The film portrays not only his downfall but also his attempts to rebuild.
Benny Safdie’s direction refuses to glamorize the violence of the sport. Instead, the film lingers on Kerr’s humanity, his fragility, and the devastating weight of addiction.
Johnson’s Emotional Transformation
The Venice premiere marked a turning point for Johnson — not just in his career, but in how audiences perceive him.
- Tears on stage: Johnson wept openly as the audience delivered a 15-minute ovation.
- Mark Kerr’s presence: The real fighter was in attendance, making the moment even more charged.
- Critical response: Early reactions describe Johnson’s performance as “raw,” “disarming,” and “unlike anything he has ever done.”
The Rock — long seen as the epitome of control, discipline, and composure — allowed himself to be publicly vulnerable. That openness mirrored the very character he plays.
Dwayne Johnson cries during the 15-minute standing ovation for his new movie ‘THE SMASHING MACHINE’
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 1, 2025
Read our review: https://t.co/ejtQIs1Usz pic.twitter.com/17pQYebeat
A Physical Commitment Few Expected
Perhaps the most startling element of Johnson’s transformation was his physical appearance. Known for his superhero build, he slimmed down dramatically for the role.
- Leaner physique: Johnson shed muscle mass to reflect Kerr’s real body type during his battles with addiction.
- Authenticity over image: For once, The Rock chose realism instead of maintaining his iconic body.
- Fan reaction: Social media lit up with surprise, admiration, and debates about his choice.
This change echoes what other actors have done for award-worthy roles — think Christian Bale in The Fighter or Matthew McConaughey in Dallas Buyers Club. For Johnson, it signals seriousness and respect for the craft beyond spectacle.
The Rock drops 28KG!
— Jack Billion (@jackkbillion) September 1, 2025
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shed nearly 28 kg to focus on health, agility, and longevity.
Doctors warned his physique could harm his long-term health.
Years of training left him feeling heavy and inflamed, with joint strain. pic.twitter.com/fwUSRklrqA
The Safdie Effect
Benny Safdie, directing solo for the first time after years collaborating with his brother Josh, has built a reputation for extracting career-defining performances.
- Robert Pattinson (Good Time) — shifted from teen idol to serious actor.
- Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems) — delivered a gritty, Oscar-worthy performance far outside comedy.
Now, he’s repeating the feat with Johnson. Safdie thrives on stories of flawed men under pressure, and Kerr’s saga is a natural fit. Johnson, with his global fame and physical aura, is an unlikely yet perfect vessel for Safdie’s vision.
Could This Be Johnson’s Oscar Moment?
The Academy has historically been wary of wrestlers-turned-actors. But if Johnson sustains this wave of acclaim, The Smashing Machine could push him into awards contention.
Factors working in his favor:
- Festival momentum: A Venice ovation often signals serious awards legs (think The Whale, Joker, Roma).
- Transformation: Physical changes and role reversals resonate with Oscar voters.
- Narrative arc: Hollywood loves a reinvention story, and Johnson’s shift from action star to dramatic actor fits that mold.
Challenges remain:
- The Oscars are notoriously competitive, and 2025 is already shaping up as a stacked year for lead actor roles.
- Johnson will need critics and guilds (SAG, Critics Choice, Golden Globes) to rally around him.
Still, the buzz is louder than ever before in his career.
A New Chapter for The Rock
For Johnson, this isn’t just about awards — it’s about legacy.
- From franchise workhorse to artist: Moving beyond action spectacle to chase deeper storytelling.
- Breaking perception: Proving he’s more than charisma and muscles.
- Personal resonance: Johnson has spoken about his own struggles with depression in the past, which may have deepened his connection to Kerr’s story.
If The Smashing Machine lands, it could redefine the final act of Johnson’s career — opening doors to roles once thought out of reach.
Audience and Industry Reaction
The Venice crowd wasn’t alone in its praise. Social media, industry insiders, and early reviews point to a genuine shift in tone for Johnson’s career.
Highlights from the reaction:
- “Dwayne Johnson finally proves he can act.”
- “A vulnerable, stripped-down Rock is something I didn’t know I needed.”
- “Safdie did it again — pulled an incredible performance from an unexpected star.”
Some longtime fans expressed shock at his slimmer look, but most applauded his willingness to transform.
What Comes Next
As The Smashing Machine moves through the festival circuit, all eyes will be on its awards trajectory.
Next steps to watch:
- Festival run: Telluride and Toronto premieres could build momentum.
- Critical reception: Reviews from top outlets will shape Oscar campaigning.
- Box office test: Will audiences embrace a darker, slower, dramatic Rock?
If everything aligns, Dwayne Johnson could be standing on the Dolby Theatre stage next spring — not as a presenter, but as a nominee.
Dwayne Johnson has always been larger than life — first as a wrestling legend, then as a Hollywood titan. But in Venice, stripped of bravado, he became something else: an actor chasing truth.
The Smashing Machine isn’t just a film about Mark Kerr’s redemption. It might be the story of Johnson’s own evolution — from The Rock to something more enduring.
