Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson cried at the Venice Film Festival after his new movie “The Smashing Machine” received a 15-minute standing ovation. The audience cheered loudly after the first screening of the film, making Johnson emotional. He hugged the director, Benny Safdie, and co-star Emily Blunt as the crowd continued to clap.
The movie is based on the real-life story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, who struggled with painkiller addiction during his career. Johnson plays Kerr, while Blunt plays his wife, Dawn Staples. The film has already started conversations about possible awards in the future.
What Is “The Smashing Machine” About?
“The Smashing Machine” tells the story of Mark Kerr, a famous MMA fighter who won two UFC heavyweight championships in the late 1990s. While he was successful in the ring, he was also dealing with personal struggles, including addiction to painkillers. The film shows his journey as a fighter and his relationship with his wife, Dawn.
Johnson worked with director Benny Safdie to make the film as real as possible. He even lost weight and wore prosthetics to look more like Kerr. This is a different kind of role for Johnson, who is mostly known for action movies and big blockbusters.
“This transformation was something I was really hungry to do,” Johnson said. “I had been very fortunate to have the career that I’ve had over the years, but there was just a voice inside of me that said, ‘What if I could do more?’”
Why Did The Rock Cry?
The emotional reaction from Johnson came after the movie finished playing. The audience stood up and clapped for 15 minutes, one of the longest standing ovations at this year’s Venice Film Festival. Johnson was seen crying and hugging the director and co-star Emily Blunt.
This was a special moment for Johnson, who is usually known for his tough and strong personality. He said he felt overwhelmed by the positive response to the film.
“I’ve been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now,” Johnson told reporters. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeon-holed into something.”
Johnson also mentioned that this movie was a big change from his usual roles. He wanted to try something more dramatic and meaningful.
What Are People Saying About the Movie?
Many critics who saw the movie at the festival are praising Johnson’s performance. Some are even saying he could be nominated for an Oscar for this role. The film has been described as raw, emotional, and different from anything Johnson has done before.
The real Mark Kerr was also at the premiere and became emotional during the standing ovation. He was happy with how the film turned out and thanked Johnson for telling his story.
Social media users have also been talking about Johnson’s transformation for the role. One fan wrote, “Dwayne Johnson’s transformation for The Smashing Machine is insane. He’s unrecognizable!”
How Did The Rock Prepare for the Role?
To play Mark Kerr, Johnson had to change his appearance. He lost around 60 pounds and wore prosthetic makeup to look more like the fighter. He spent hours in the makeup chair every day to get the right look.
Johnson also worked closely with Benny Safdie to understand Kerr’s life and struggles. He wanted to make sure the performance felt real and honest.
“I just sat in front of that mirror for three to four hours and watched it all change,” Johnson said about the makeup process. “By the time I got to set, I was Mark Kerr and I felt it.”
What’s Next for the Movie?
“The Smashing Machine” will be released in theaters on October 3, 2025. It will also be shown at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Many people are excited to see Johnson in this new kind of role.
The movie is produced by A24, a studio known for making unique and critically acclaimed films. This is Johnson’s first time working with them, and it could mark a new direction in his career.
