Dwayne Johnson Surprises Audiences With Powerful Role in The Smashing Machine
Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson, widely known for blockbuster action films and comedies, has taken on one of the most dramatic roles of his career. He stars as legendary UFC fighter Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, which had its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on Monday.
Speaking before the premiere, Johnson revealed his excitement for the transformation:
“I have for a long time wanted this. The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do. I’ve been very fortunate in my career, but there was always this little voice inside of me saying: what if I can do more?”
Directed by Benny Safdie and released by A24, the film has already started generating Oscar buzz. The Venice Film Festival has become a strong launchpad for award-winning performances in recent years, with Brendan Fraser (The Whale) and Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) both earning acclaim after their premieres there.
Johnson acknowledged that box office success often shapes an actor’s career path, but said he felt ready to push beyond the roles Hollywood expected of him. Encouragement also came from his close friend and co-star Emily Blunt, who worked with him on Jungle Cruise and inspired him to channel his real-life struggles and experiences into the performance.
Critics are now calling The Smashing Machine a defining moment in Johnson’s career, marking a bold step into serious dramatic storytelling while showcasing a side of the actor audiences have rarely seen before.
