Could Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson be on his way to his first Oscar?
If the reaction at the Venice Film Festival is anything to go by, the answer might just be yes. On Monday night, the 53-year-old actor was overcome with emotion, sobbing as the audience roared to its feet for a 15-minute standing ovation — one of the longest at this year’s festival.
Johnson, once the WWE superstar known as The Rock, has headlined blockbuster hits like The Mummy, Black Adam, and Baywatch. But in The Smashing Machine, set for release by A24 in November, he dives into far deeper territory — portraying ’90s MMA legend Mark Kerr, a fighter battling personal demons.
Co-starring Emily Blunt as Kerr’s girlfriend Dawn Staples, the film’s premiere turned into an emotional celebration. Director Benny Safdie embraced both stars as the applause thundered on, tears streaming down his face. Even Kerr himself, the man whose life inspired the story, was seen crying as the credits rolled.
The moment instantly drew comparisons to Brendan Fraser’s tearful Whale premiere in Venice four years ago — a night that launched his own Oscar-winning campaign.
Before the screening, one fan couldn’t resist shouting Johnson’s iconic WWE catchphrase, “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!” — earning a big laugh from the man of the hour.
Johnson appeared in high spirits throughout the evening, working the glamorous red carpet, signing autographs, and taking selfies with fans. The 82nd Venice Film Festival has been packed with Hollywood heavyweights — from George Clooney to Julia Roberts to Emma Stone — and Johnson and Blunt added even more star power to the awards-season kickoff.
In The Smashing Machine, Johnson is almost unrecognizable, transformed by heavy prosthetics to embody the hulking two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion. Speaking to Variety, he said he was drawn to the project because Safdie “pushes the envelope when it comes to stories that are raw and real; characters that are authentic and at times uncomfortable and arresting.”
“I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways I haven’t before,” Johnson said. “I want to make films that matter — that explore humanity, struggle, and pain.”
The film marks Benny Safdie’s solo directorial debut after co-creating acclaimed indies like Good Time and Uncut Gems with his brother Josh. It also reunites Safdie and Blunt, who shared a scene in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, and brings Johnson and Blunt back together after Disney’s Jungle Cruise.
With the kind of reception Johnson just received in Venice, The Smashing Machine may have just muscled its way into the heart of awards season.
