Emotional Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Receives Rousing Ovation at Venice Film Festival for ‘The Smashing Machine’

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was visibly moved to tears on Monday as his new film, “The Smashing Machine,” received a remarkable 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival. The powerful reception, one of the longest since the festival began on August 27, saw Johnson and director Benny Safdie overcome with emotion on the red carpet following the Sala Grande premiere.

The biographical sports drama, which chronicles the life of real-life former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, has already garnered significant awards buzz, including a nomination for the prestigious Golden Lion, the festival’s highest prize. Johnson, who undergoes a dramatic physical transformation to portray Kerr, previously revealed spending up to four hours in makeup and wearing numerous prosthetics for the role.

Fans had already been abuzz over the weekend after Johnson debuted a noticeably slimmer physique at a Miu Miu event in Venice, sparking widespread “double takes” and social media discussions about his new look ahead of the film’s premiere.

During a press conference, Johnson reflected on his decision to take on such a challenging and different role after a career defined by action blockbusters. “This transformation was something I was really hungry to do,” he stated, expressing a desire to explore more diverse acting opportunities beyond typecasting. He credited co-star Emily Blunt and director Safdie for their support in pursuing this new artistic direction.

“The Smashing Machine,” also starring Emily Blunt as Kerr’s then-wife Dawn Staples, delves into Kerr’s rise to UFC fame and his subsequent struggles with opioid addiction. The film is slated for a theatrical release on October 3.

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