Dwayne Johnson ‘The Rock’ Could Win an Oscar?

Could Dwayne Johnson, better known as ‘The Rock,’ be a contender for an Academy Award? The response to his emotive portrayal of wrestler Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ during the Venice Film Festival implies just that. The audience was so moved by his acting that they applauded him for a full 15 minutes, marking one of the longest ovations at this year’s festival.

Dwayne Johnson, who formerly took to the WWE ring as ‘The Rock,’ has predominantly acted in commercially successful films like ‘The Mummy,’ ‘Baywatch,’ and ‘Black Adam.’ However, his new venture pushes him far beyond his previous roles. Set to premiere in November, ‘The Smashing Machine’ features Johnson as a troubled wrestler from the ’90s.

Across from Johnson on the screen is Emily Blunt, depicting Dawn Staples, Mark Kerr’s partner. The reaction to the movie was such that not only did Johnson weep openly, but Benny Safdie, the director of the film, also joined him, sharing their triumphant moment together. Their euphoria was mirrored by Kerr himself, who shed tears as the film ended.

The applause, hoots, and cheers that erupted as ‘The Smashing Machine’ ended marked the movie as the most emotionally charged premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Even before the movie began, the audience was in high spirits, with a fan invoking Johnson’s iconic WWE catchphrase, ‘Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?!’ to the delight of the crowd.

Throughout the night, Johnson charmed the audience, engaging them from the red carpet by signing autographs and sharing moments. His presence, along with that of Emily Blunt, amplified the stellar line-up of celebrities at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, which included the likes of George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Emma Stone.

Contrary to his usual charismatic self, Johnson appears almost unidentifiable in ‘The Smashing Machine,’ thanks to thorough prosthetic work that enabled him to portray the two-time UFC Heavyweight champion, Mark Kerr. Johnson revealed that his intrigue towards the film arose from the raw narrative and genuine characters it featured.

In his own words, Johnson stated, ‘I’m at a juncture in my professional journey where I want to challenge myself in novel ways.’ The actor, who has won hearts with his roles in ‘Jumanji’ and the ‘Fast and Furious’ series, expressed his desire to partake in significant cinema that delves into the human condition, adversity, and hardship.

The movie ‘The Smashing Machine’ also reserves a special place for Benny Safdie as it is his first solo directorial endeavor. It sees a reunion of Benny Safdie and Emily Blunt, who had shared a memorable performance in an earlier historical drama. Also, Johnson and Blunt, who once shared screen space in an action extravaganza, will once again ooze chemistry on the big screen.