In a deeply emotional moment at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, actor and former WWE superstar Dwayne Johnson was moved to tears as his latest film, The Smashing Machine, received a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation following its world premiere.
The film, directed by Benny Safdie and produced by A24, stars Johnson as legendary MMA fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion whose life was marked by both triumph and personal turmoil. The screening, held at the iconic Sala Grande on the Lido, was attended by Johnson, co-star Emily Blunt, director Safdie, and Kerr himself. As the credits rolled and applause swelled, all four were visibly emotional, embracing one another amid cheers and whistles from the audience.
Johnson, 53, underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the role, spending hours in prosthetics daily to embody Kerr’s imposing physique. The actor has described the project as one of the most challenging and meaningful of his career. “I want to make films that matter, that explore humanity and struggle,” Johnson said in a pre-premiere interview.
The emotional weight of the evening was heightened when a fan shouted Johnson’s iconic WWE catchphrase, “Can you smell what the Rock is cooking?”—prompting laughter from the actor before the screening began. Once the film concluded, however, the mood turned reverent. Johnson sobbed uncontrollably as the audience continued to applaud, marking one of the longest ovations of this year’s festival.
Critics have praised Johnson’s raw and vulnerable performance, calling it a career-defining turn. The film explores Kerr’s battles with addiction, his complex relationship with his partner Dawn Staples (played by Blunt), and the brutal realities of professional fighting. Early reviews have sparked Oscar buzz, with many noting the film’s emotional depth and Safdie’s unflinching direction.
The Smashing Machine is scheduled for theatrical release in the US and UK on October 3. With its powerful narrative and transformative performances, the film is poised to be a major contender in the upcoming awards season.
