Dwayne Johnson wins praise at Venice for ‘The Smashing Machine’: 1st Oscar next?

Venice: Hollywood’s ultimate action man Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has stepped into unfamiliar, deeply vulnerable territory — and critics are calling it the performance of his career.

The 53-year-old star, long typecast as a blockbuster hero, has stunned audiences at the Venice Film Festival with his raw portrayal of UFC legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine, directed by Benny Safdie. The film reunites him with Emily Blunt, who plays Kerr’s partner Dawn Staples.

“This has certainly changed my life,” Johnson admitted, describing the role as something he was “really hungry” to take on. “For years, I’ve been scared to go deep, intense, and raw — until now.”

Known for high-octane spectacles like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Black Adam, Johnson said Hollywood’s obsession with box office success had boxed him into a lane. “Sometimes it’s hard to know what you’re capable of when you’ve been pigeon-holed. I realised I had this burning desire, this voice inside me saying: What if there’s more?”

Early reviews suggest the gamble has paid off. Variety hailed Johnson’s performance as “a revelation”, while The Telegraph called it “warm, sincere and admirably ego-less”, noting that prosthetics helped him “disappear” into the character.

The film, set between 1997 and 2000, chronicles Kerr’s rise as an MMA pioneer, his struggles with addiction, and his turbulent but tender relationship with Dawn. For Blunt, who calls Johnson a “dear friend”, watching his transformation was “spooky”.

Safdie, best known for Uncut Gems, described the UFC’s early years as “experimental and beautiful — a contradiction between violence and deep camaraderie” that drew him to the project.

The real Mark Kerr, once hailed as “The Smashing Machine” in the octagon, was present at Venice alongside Johnson and Blunt. Johnson said he feels “very close” to Kerr, calling him “a walking contradiction — the greatest fighter on the planet, but also one of the most gentle, empathetic men.”

With Oscar buzz already swirling, Johnson could find himself in the Best Actor race alongside giants like Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, and Timothée Chalamet. But for him, this role isn’t about trophies.

“It’s not about proving anything to Hollywood. It’s about proving something to myself,” he said. “I started asking — am I living my dream, or someone else’s dream? And now, I want to live mine.”