The web went into overdrive this week as photographs of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confirmed how he leaned into his function as MMA legend Mark Kerr by leaning out, dropping 60 kilos for what many critics are hailing as his most interesting efficiency but. In reality, the reception for The Smashing Machine has been so nice that DJ even shed a tear throughout its latest premiere.
As The Rock went viral for slicing a extra svelte look whereas in Venice for the premier of his Mark Kerr biography, The Smashing Machine, the excitement was already starting round a doubtlessly profession defining efficiency that would add an Oscar to his record of accomplishments. The movie, directed by Benny Safde who is maybe finest recognized for Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler, and in addition starring Emily Blunt, digs into the trials and tribulations of the two-time UFC Heavyweight Event Champion Mark Kerr, and is predicated on the 2009 HBO documentary, additionally known as The Smashing Machine.
In distinction to Johnson’s lighter roles in box office behemoths like Jumanji and Jungle Cruise, the previous WWE Champion would want to channel a extra susceptible facet of his character to take care of a narrative that encompasses the psychological well being and substance abuse points that Kerr confronted throughout his illustrious however difficult profession. To grow to be a plausible MMA fighter, Johnson labored with Kerr’s former rival-turned-friend, Mark Coleman. UFC’s president, Dana White has praised the project, telling Collider; “I feel that this could possibly be the chance for The Rock to really be nominated for an Oscar.”
May Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Win an Oscar for ‘The Smashing Machine’?
Whereas Johnson made headlines for his lean, imply, smashing machine of a determine in Venice, critics have been weighing-in on the film itself. “It’s tough to recall one other time when the actor has been so outwardly susceptible on display screen,” wrote Jack King of GQ Journal. “You usually overlook it’s Johnson in any respect, partially because of the prosthetics behind which he’s subtly masked, but in addition as a result of he’s so emotionally reworked.”
Yasmine Kandil of Discussing Movie wrote, “The Smashing Machine is extra than simply one other sports activities biopic, analyzing what makes or breaks us as people by means of a spectacular lead efficiency from Dwayne Johnson.”
Some critics have been less convinced, nonetheless. “The awards season equal of a “fugazi” diamond,” wrote Kevin Maher of The Occasions. “It seems to be like an Oscar contender, it sparkles like an Oscar contender, however on nearer inspection it’s solely plastic and largely nugatory.”
Whether or not or not DJ will get his flowers come Oscar season, “The Individuals’s Champion” has proven simply how a lot this efficiency has imply to him. The mild big was reduced to tears during the 15-minute standing ovation that the movie obtained in Venice. A susceptible Johnson additionally obtained actual whereas mirrored on his appearing resume, throughout a latest interview with Self-importance Truthful. “I noticed that possibly these alternatives weren’t coming my method as a result of I used to be too scared to discover these things,” he defined. “I used to be so hungry for a chance to do one thing uncooked and gritty and rip myself open. And, hastily, Smashing Machine comes alongside.”
The Smashing Machine hits theaters on Oct. 3, 2025. To follow The Rock on Instagram, click here.
