Dwayne The Rock Johnson stunned fans and critics at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on September 1, 2025, with his 60-pound weight loss and raw portrayal of MMA legend Mark Kerr in The Smashing Machine. The A24 biopic, directed by Benny Safdie, earned a 15-minute standing ovation, leaving Johnson, co-star Emily Blunt, and Kerr in tears. Johnson’s transformed physique and authentic acting drew strong praise and Oscar nomination speculation.
Venice Premiere Impact
The Venice premiere of The Smashing Machine received a 15-minute standing ovation, one of the festival’s longest. A fan shouted Johnson’s WWE catchphrase, “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?” prompting laughter. Johnson wiped tears alongside Safdie, Blunt, and Kerr, who attended the screening. The response echoed Brendan Fraser’s 2021 ovation for The Whale, which led to an Oscar, raising hopes for Johnson.
Johnson discussed the role’s significance. “I have for a long time wanted this. The transformation part was something I was really hungry to do,” he told The Hollywood Reporter at a press conference. He credited Blunt and Safdie for pushing him beyond his action-hero roots.
Dwayne Johnson weeps during the 15-minute #Venezia2025 standing ovation for ‘The Smashing Machine.’ This was the most emotion we’ve since on the Lido since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign here four years ago for ‘The Whale.’ pic.twitter.com/BzAjB4v6uk
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) September 1, 2025
Striking Physical Change
Johnson dropped from 300 to 240 pounds to embody Kerr, surprising fans with his leaner frame. Social media users called him “The Pebble.” He adopted a new diet and training routine, moving away from his muscular build, and spent three to four hours daily in makeup with prosthetics designer Kazu Hiro, who used 13 to 14 pieces to reshape his face and body. Critics lauded his transformed look. The Independent wrote, “This is the most raw and vulnerable that Johnson has ever been on screen.” The film holds an 88% Rotten Tomatoes rating from 17 reviews and a Metacritic score of 75.
What happened to The Rock? 👀 pic.twitter.com/nTWS5RfGLP
— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) September 1, 2025
The Smashing Machine, based on the 2002 HBO documentary, follows Kerr’s rise as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion in the 1990s and his battle with painkiller addiction. Emily Blunt plays his then-wife, Dawn Staples, highlighting their strained relationship. Venice’s artistic director, Alberto Barbera, called Johnson’s performance “absolutely amazing,” predicting Oscar nominations. Safdie said, “It’s such a beautiful thing to shine a light on him and learn from his experiences.” Kerr, present at the premiere, was visibly moved, as the film highlighted his complex MMA legacy.
Dwayne Douglas Johnson, 53, has a 17-7-1 pro wrestling record and a major acting career. Son of wrestler Rocky Johnson and grandson of Samoan wrestler Peter Maivia, he grew up around wrestling legends. After a football career ended due to injuries, he debuted in WWE as Rocky Maivia in 1996, becoming “The Rock” and winning eight WWE Championships. Johnson started acting with The Scorpion King in 2002, starring in blockbusters like Fast Five, Jumanji, and Black Adam. His 2024 WWE return as “The Final Boss” in a tag match with Roman Reigns drew huge viewership. The Smashing Machine is his first major dramatic role, earning six performance bonuses across wrestling and acting.
Born December 21, 1968, in Toledo, Ohio, Mark Kerr, 56, has a 15-11 MMA record. A standout wrestler at Syracuse University, he turned pro in 1997, winning UFC 14 and 15 Heavyweight Tournaments with knockouts over Dan Bobish and Greg Stott. He went 4-4 in Pride FC and won the World Vale Tudo Championship in 1999. Painkiller addiction derailed his career, as shown in the 2002 HBO documentary. His last fight was a 2010 loss to Muhammed Lawal.
