The Rock Breaks down in Tears After The Smashing Machine Premiere at 2025 Venice Film Festival

In what is being his finest career performance till date, The Rock receives a rare 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival.

The Rock Breaks down in Tears After The Smashing Machine Premiere at 2025 Venice Film Festival

The Rock in WWE and The Smashing Machine (via WWE and Venice Film Festival)

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is finally breaking free from the action-hero mold that has defined much of his Hollywood career. Gone are the khaki shirts and larger-than-life jungle adventures, and in their place comes a bold, transformative performance in The Smashing Machine.

The A24 biopic showcases the turbulent life of former UFC heavyweight champion Mark Kerr, whose legendary career was undone by painkillers and opioid addiction. In the film, Johnson delivers a stunning transformation, becoming almost unrecognizable as Kerr.

That commitment has paid off: the film currently holds a flawless 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it The Rock’s best performance to date. The buzz definitely reached a fever pitch at the Venice Film Festival, where Johnson’s portrayal earned a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation, one of the longest of this year’s event. 

Overwhelmed with emotion, the former 10-time WWE Champion broke down in tears as the crowd at the Lido celebrated his powerful performance. During the ovation, director Benny Safdie embraced his stars, joining Johnson in an emotional moment as the crowd’s cheers filled the room. Even Kerr couldn’t hold back his tears as the credits rolled, moved by seeing his life story told so powerfully on screen.

Before the screening began, a fan in the audience shouted Johnson’s iconic WWE catchphrase, “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!” which sparked laughter and smiles from the man of the hour. For those unfamiliar, the film delves deep into Mark Kerr’s personal and professional struggles, exploring his complicated relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, portrayed by Oscar-nominated actress Emily Blunt.

Fans will also get to see his relationship with former heavyweight champion and trainer Bas Rutten, who fittingly plays himself. Adding to the authenticity, Kerr’s longtime friend and fellow MMA icon Mark Coleman,  the UFC’s first heavyweight champion, is brought to life by former Bellator two-division titleholder Ryan Bader.

With universal praise pouring in, Johnson has now emerged as a legitimate Oscar contender. From his jaw-dropping physical transformation to the raw, relentless intensity he poured into the role, Johnson’s commitment to embodying Kerr is impossible to overlook. The film is set for a wide release this October, is already shaping up to be a career-defining milestone for one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars.

The Rock surprises fans with a visibly lean physique during the premiere of The Smashing Machine

The Rock is known for blockbuster hits like The Mummy, Black Adam, and Baywatch. And in those roles, Dwayne Johnson has been known to have an action-hero physique. However, he surprised fans with a dramatically leaner look at the Venice Film Festival.

For years, the former WWE champion was often the biggest guy in the room, but his recent appearance showcased a transformation that drew immediate comparisons to his recent WWE and early 2000s run, when he weighed between 270 and 280 pounds.

The Rock
The Rock (via People)

Reports suggest the 53-year-old star slimmed down to authentically portray Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. At the film’s photocall at the Venice Film Festival, Johnson sported a short-sleeved blue shirt tucked into crisp white pants, revealing a noticeably leaner frame. Later, at the Miu Miu Women’s Tales event on Saturday night, he kept it sharp in a button-up blue shirt and black pants alongside co-star Emily Blunt. 

According to insiders, Johnson’s new diet and training program didn’t just trim size. It helped him build muscle while achieving a more streamlined look. Such transformations are nothing new in Hollywood, echoing the physical reinventions of actors like Christian Bale, Matthew McConaughey, and Brendan Fraser, all of whom reshaped their bodies for demanding roles.

As for his wrestling future, fans shouldn’t expect to see him back in the ring anytime soon. His last appearance came at Elimination Chamber 2025, where he played a pivotal role in sparking John Cena’s heel turn. Behind-the-scenes footage from that moment was recently featured in the premiere of WWE’s new Netflix series, WWE Unreal.

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