The Venice Worldwide Movie Pageant simply witnessed one in every of its strongest moments this 12 months, and it had nothing to do with crimson carpets or photograph ops. As an alternative, Dwayne Johnson uncontrollably sobbed because the world premiere viewers chanted, cheered, and screamed throughout a 15-minute standing ovation for his dramatic flip in The Smashing Machine.
Monday night time’s world premiere on the Sala Grande grew to become an instantaneous competition legend. The actor, who stars as former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr, broke down in tears because the viewers erupted into cheers, chants, and applause that stretched right into a 15-minute standing ovation, one of many longest at this 12 months’s competition. In the meantime, the usually composed motion star couldn’t maintain again his feelings because the room celebrated what many are calling his career-defining efficiency.
The A24 movie represents a big departure for Johnson, who’s constructed his status on blockbuster motion flicks and family-friendly adventures. Nevertheless, this time round, he’s buying and selling his ordinary appeal for uncooked vulnerability, portraying the troubled MMA fighter Mark Kerr in what’s being described as his most difficult position but. Director Benny Safdie helms the mission, bringing his indie sensibilities to Johnson’s Hollywood star energy.
The Rock was seen in tears while receiving a 15 minute standing ovation for his new film ‘The Smashing Machine.’
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) September 1, 2025
What made the second much more particular was the presence of the actual Mark Kerr himself. Kerr made the trek to Venice for the displaying, the place they have been joined by co-star Emily Blunt, creating an extremely emotional environment within the theater. The tears weren’t simply from Johnson both – many viewers members have been visibly moved by the movie’s intense portrayal of habit, psychological well being struggles, and the brutal world of combined martial arts.
That is how Oscar narratives are created, and trade insiders are already buzzing about Johnson’s potential awards season prospects. The standing ovation wasn’t simply well mannered competition applause – it was a real outpouring of appreciation for an actor who’s clearly pushed himself into uncharted territory.
The emotional response speaks to one thing extra profound than simply one other movie star transformation.
Johnson’s willingness to strip away his ordinary persona and dive into such heavy materials has clearly resonated with critics and audiences alike. After years of being Hollywood’s dependable motion hero, The Smashing Machine may simply be the movie that proves he’s obtained severe dramatic chops, too.
