Dwayne Johnson in The Smashing Machine film still. He shared, "been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now".
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping into a new chapter of his career. Long celebrated as Hollywood’s go-to action star, the 53-year-old actor has traded explosions and car chases for raw emotion in The Smashing Machine, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
For Johnson, the transformation was long overdue. “I’ve been pigeon-holed as a box office star,” he admitted. “Hollywood pushes you into a lane, and that becomes your identity. But I had a burning desire to do something different.”
Portraying UFC Fighter Mark Kerr
Johnson takes on the role of Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion whose nickname, “The Smashing Machine,” gives the film its title. Set between 1997 and 2000, the movie delves into Kerr’s rise in the brutal world of mixed martial arts, his struggles with substance abuse, and his turbulent but devoted relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt.
“This role changed my life,” Johnson told journalists. “I was scared to go deep and intense until now. I was hungry for this opportunity.”
Mark Kerr, pictured after winning a heavyweight tournament in Alabama in July 1997. Getty Images
Blunt, who previously starred with Johnson in Jungle Cruise, praised her co-star’s commitment. “He completely disappeared into the role,” she said. “It was extraordinary to see.”
Beyond the Fight Scenes
Directed by Benny Safdie, the film captures more than just the ferocity of 1990s UFC. Safdie said he wanted to explore the contradictions of a sport that balanced extreme violence with a sense of close community.
Left to right: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, director Benny Safdie, and the real-life Mark Kerr in Venice. Getty Images
“What fascinated me was the love that existed between fighters despite the brutality,” Safdie explained.
While the film includes hard-hitting action, much of the story unfolds outside the ring, highlighting Kerr’s vulnerable side and the emotional complexities of his relationship with Staples. Blunt described the dynamic as both “hazardous” and profoundly loving.
A Personal Connection
Johnson first met Kerr during the 1990s when he was still wrestling. Their shared history adds depth to the portrayal. “I respected his career back then, and now, years later, I’ve grown close to him,” Johnson said. “He’s a walking contradiction — once the toughest fighter alive, yet also gentle and empathetic.”
The film also reconnects Johnson with his roots in combat sports, a world he left behind in 2004 to conquer Hollywood.
Chasing His Own Dream
Reflecting on his career, Johnson admitted he once questioned whether he was truly living his dream.
“I looked around and wondered, am I living my dream or other people’s dreams?” he said. “You can accept the status quo, or you can say, ‘No, I want to live my dream now.’ That’s what this role represents for me.”
The Smashing Machine Marks Johnson’s Boldest Transformation Yet
With The Smashing Machine generating early awards buzz, Johnson may be on the verge of his first Oscar nomination. He would be competing against Hollywood heavyweights including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, and Timothée Chalamet.
Awards aside, Johnson says the experience has already redefined him as an actor. “This role gave me a place to put everything I’ve experienced and everything I’ve shied away from,” he reflected.
From the wrestling ring to the action blockbusters that made him a global star, Johnson has built a career on strength and spectacle. Now, with The Smashing Machine, he has revealed something far more powerful — vulnerability.
And that may just be his most impressive performance yet.
