Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is currently experiencing a profound career shift, marked by the rapturous reception of his new drama, “The Smashing Machine,” at the Venice Film Festival. The film, directed by Benny Safdie, moved Johnson to tears and has generated significant Oscar buzz, a possibility he never envisioned for his career. Known globally for his charisma, commercial appeal, and crowd-pleasing action roles, Johnson has now traded his superhero swagger for a portrayal of emotional fragility and physical vulnerability.

In “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson undertakes the most radical transformation of his career, embodying real-life MMA legend Mark Kerr. Set in the late 1990s, the film chronicles Kerr’s ascent through the brutal early days of mixed martial arts, juxtaposed with his private battles against addiction and profound inner turmoil that nearly cost him everything. The premiere at Venice was met with thunderous ovations, stunning critics and redefining the artistic potential for one of the world’s most recognizable stars. Johnson, long typecast as an indestructible action hero, now steps firmly into the realm of awards-worthy dramatic acting, doing so with what he describes as “radical empathy.”

Johnson revealed that this dramatic endeavor had been brewing within him for some time, a desire to explore more. He credits Benny Safdie for providing the vision and support, despite Johnson’s initial cold feet about taking such a significant creative risk. Safdie’s core vision for the film was to depict human vulnerability and real life, focusing not on the glory of championship fights, but on a man fighting himself. The narrative bravely shows Kerr losing everything, including two near-fatal overdoses, yet finding a form of victory in survival. This unflinching honesty, particularly regarding addiction and recovery, is a stark departure from Johnson’s typically inspirational brand.

The physical preparation for the role was exceptionally demanding, with Johnson calling it the hardest thing he’d ever done. It involved a significant physical transformation, including gaining 30 pounds of specific muscle quality with fast-twitch capacity, focusing heavily on trap and neck work to emulate the physique of old-school wrestlers. This weight was maintained for three and a half months, before transitioning rapidly to another role. Beyond the physical, Johnson underwent an intense emotional excavation, delving into dark places and past traumas he had long suppressed. He attributes this artistic breakthrough to the film providing “a place to put all that stuff.”

Benny Safdie’s directorial approach for “The Smashing Machine” emphasized an immersive, cinéma vérité style. Johnson was instructed that Safdie would never cut away from him during fight scenes, meaning he himself would be taking the punches, with no use of a stunt double. The set, particularly for intense emotional scenes with co-star Emily Blunt, was designed to be hyper-realistic, with hidden cameras to create a sense of raw, unmediated life. Johnson spoke highly of Emily Blunt’s “astonishing performance,” calling her his greatest inspiration due to her acting prowess and profound humanity.

Johnson also shared a personal connection to Mark Kerr, having met him in the mid-90s during his early wrestling career when he was still Rocky Maivia. He recalls seeing Kerr, Coleman, Randleman, and Frye at the same gym, observing them as successful fighters, unaware of Kerr’s hidden struggles with addiction, depression, and shame. This experience reinforced the film’s central lesson: “you never know what someone’s going through.” The line “I never lost” in the film resonated deeply with Johnson, signifying the denial and the toxic pressure that can turn winning into an enemy. He believes the movie is ultimately about pressure and survival.

Reflecting on broader life lessons, Johnson shared a recent insight from his uncle: “It’s going to be okay. We’re going to be okay.” He also highlighted Safdie’s term “radical empathy,” suggesting that if one can feel empathy for someone seemingly invincible like Mark Kerr, then that empathy can extend to anyone, leading to a reduction in judgment and noise. This message of understanding and support is something he shares with his daughter. Regarding a potential presidential run, Johnson acknowledged being honored by the question but affirmed his current love for storytelling, concluding with a reflective, “we’ll see.”