As summer’s blockbuster season wraps up, focus is moving towards award season and the Oscar race. Traditionally, studios release their potential Academy Award winners during fall, with several titles making their debut at different film festivals to create excitement and positive word of mouth. One intriguing production on the schedule is “The Smashing Machine,” directed by Benny Safdie and based on the life of MMA fighter Mark Kerr, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in what might be his most dramatic role yet. There was much anticipation to see how “The Smashing Machine” would be received, especially regarding Johnson’s performance, and now that it has screened at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, the film is receiving some of the best reviews of Johnson’s career.
Currently, the movie “The Smashing Machine” boasts an impressive 84% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This score ranks it as the third-highest among all movies Stewart Johnson has starred in, and the highest for any live-action film where he is the main character. Only two other films surpass “The Smashing Machine” – Disney’s animated hit “Moana” (95%) and the underestimated Florence Pugh feature “Fighting With My Family” (93%). Although a critics consensus for “The Smashing Machine” has yet to be established, Johnson’s performance in it has been widely praised.
The Smashing Machine Starts a New Era for Dwayne Johnson’s Acting Career
Johnston’s innate charm and on-screen appeal propelled him to be among the leading action stars of his generation, but his signature style was becoming repetitive. The lukewarm responses to movies like “Black Adam,” “Red Notice,” and “Red One” hinted that it might be time for Johnston to switch things up and explore different film genres – ones that could reveal a more varied acting talent from him and potentially garner favorable criticism. To his advantage, Johnson has been making this shift. Instead of continuing to produce mindless action films, he’s been drawn towards collaborating with esteemed directors.
In simpler terms, “The Smashing Machine” isn’t just a standalone project for Johnson. He has confirmed his involvement in a mob film set in Hawaii alongside Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, which he and Emily Blunt (his co-star from The Smashing Machine) helped bring to Scorsese and DiCaprio. Additionally, Johnson will star in a movie titled “Breakthrough,” directed by Darren Aronofsky, known for films like Black Swan and The Whale.
Johnson continues to feature in high-profile genre productions, including Disney’s live-action remake of Moana, where he reprises his role as Maui. It’s intriguing to see him collaborate with renowned filmmakers, taking on roles that push his acting abilities. This risk seems to have been worthwhile, as evidenced by the positive reviews for The Smashing Machine. The film demonstrates Johnson’s capability of leading a dramatic feature, skillfully portraying complex characters. While playing a UFC fighter appears fitting within Johnson’s repertoire, it’s essential to distinguish between simply looking the part and delivering a compelling, convincing performance. Critics have praised Johnson’s transformative acting in The Smashing Machine, suggesting that this talent will serve him well in upcoming projects directed by Scorsese and Aronofsky.
It’s intriguing to contemplate whether Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson might land in the Best Actor category at this year’s Oscars. With numerous potential nominations on the horizon and awards season still in its early stages, it’s premature to make definitive predictions. However, given that A24 has rolled out a grand festival premiere for The Smashing Machine, it’s clear they are aiming for some recognition – otherwise, such an ambitious move wouldn’t have been made. With a strong campaign planned and the film receiving positive reviews, Johnson has a good chance of making a significant impact.
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2025-09-02 17:59