Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is stepping into one of the most vulnerable roles of his career in Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine, a biopic that explores the life of UFC champion Mark Kerr. Known worldwide for action-packed blockbusters like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and Moana, Johnson now embraces raw drama, revealing that this project allowed him to open up emotionally in a way he has never done before.
Premiering at the Venice Film Festival, Johnson admitted he had been waiting for a role like this for years. “I didn’t just want drama; I wanted something that would rip me open,” he said in an interview. For the first time in his career, he confessed to feeling genuinely nervous, admitting that director Benny Safdie and co-star Emily Blunt had asked him if he was scared — and he was.
The actor underwent an intense physical transformation, spending up to three hours daily in prosthetics and makeup to look like Kerr. However, the deeper challenge came from portraying Kerr’s inner battles with addiction and depression. Johnson said he drew from his own painful past, including childhood trauma and being evicted at just 15, to channel authentic despair: “I went back to what it felt like to come home and have nothing. That ripped me open in a way I needed.”
Reuniting with Emily Blunt, who plays Dawn Staples, Kerr’s wife, Johnson discovered a new dimension in their on-screen chemistry. Blunt described his performance as “spooky” and praised his willingness to be vulnerable. Johnson credited her encouragement for helping him fully embrace the dramatic role.
Safdie, making his first solo directorial debut, insisted the film was more about the emotional toll of success than just the sport. “It’s not about victory or defeat. It’s about what happens when victory itself becomes the adversary,” he explained.
Mark Kerr himself received a standing ovation at the Venice premiere, with Johnson acknowledging how Kerr’s story impacted him personally: “Mark’s life changed my life too. This isn’t just his story — it’s for anyone who has carried the weight of success.”
Set for theatrical release on October 3 through A24, The Smashing Machine represents a bold new chapter in Johnson’s career. “It’s not just a new chapter — it’s a whole new book,” he said. “And I love it.”