Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Weeps During 15-Minute Standing Ovation at Venice Film Festival
On September 1, 2025, at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the 53-year-old former WWE superstar turned Hollywood heavyweight, was overcome with emotion during a rapturous 15-minute standing ovation for the world premiere of his latest film, The Smashing Machine. The biopic, directed by Benny Safdie in his solo directorial debut, portrays the life of MMA and UFC legend Mark Kerr, a role that required Johnson to undergo a dramatic physical transformation—shedding significant muscle mass to embody Kerr’s leaner, more vulnerable frame. Footage from the event captured Johnson wiping away tears while standing between co-star Emily Blunt (who plays Kerr’s ex-wife, Dawn Staples) and Kerr himself, repeatedly mouthing “thank you” to the applauding crowd. Director Safdie was also seen covering his face in tears, highlighting the deeply personal impact of the audience’s response.
This ovation—one of the longest at this year’s festival, rivaling reactions to films like Mona Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee—has sparked immediate Oscar buzz for Johnson, with critics drawing parallels to Brendan Fraser’s emotional Venice premiere of The Whale in 2022, which launched his successful awards campaign. Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh noted on X (formerly Twitter), “Dwayne Johnson weeps during the 15-minute #Venezia2025 standing ovation for ‘The Smashing Machine.’ This was the most emotion we’ve seen on the Lido since Brendan Fraser launched his Oscar campaign here four years ago for ‘The Whale.’” The film’s early reviews are glowing, with a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes and praise for Johnson’s “career-best performance” as “quiet but laser-focused,” marking a departure from his action-hero persona in blockbusters like Fast & Furious and Jumanji. Metro awarded it four stars, comparing it to The Wrestler for its raw intensity.
The Film and Johnson’s Transformation
The Smashing Machine (an A24 production set for U.S. release on October 3, 2025) chronicles Kerr’s rise as a two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion and Pride FC competitor in the 1990s, alongside his personal struggles with addiction—he overdosed twice and is “lucky to be alive,” as Johnson noted. The story emphasizes themes of love, resilience, and the toll of combat sports, with Johnson describing it not as a fighting film but as “a love story about Mark and Dawn… and his love for the thing that he did—his struggle with trying to deliver [in the ring].” Blunt, reuniting with Johnson after 2021’s Jungle Cruise, credited with encouraging his vulnerability, reportedly gave him the confidence to immerse fully in the role.
Johnson’s preparation involved a significant weight loss, appearing svelte in a double-breasted gray suit on the red carpet, which stunned fans and sparked health concerns online (e.g., comments like “He looks sick to me” or “The Rock became The Pebble”). However, Johnson explained it as a deliberate choice to break free from being “pigeonholed” into action roles: “I had this burning desire… ‘What if there is more and what if I can?’ … Sometimes it takes people that you love and respect, like Emily and Benny, to say that you can.” He elaborated at a press conference: “I’ve been scared to go deep and intense and raw until now… Hollywood can push you into a corner… but I want to live my dreams now.”
The cast also includes real MMA fighters like Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk, adding authenticity. Safdie, known for co-directing Uncut Gems and Good Time with his brother Josh, brings a gritty, character-driven style to the project. Other attendees included Seth Rogen (who called the film “awesome”), Charlie Kaufman, Halsey, and Avan Jogia.
Broader Context and Buzz
This moment aligns with Johnson’s recent reflections on his career, where he expressed a desire to explore deeper roles after years of box-office chases: “Am I living my dream or other people’s dreams?” The ovation, while not a record (Cannes holds the mark at 22 minutes for Pan’s Labyrinth in 2006), is significant for Venice and positions The Smashing Machine as a potential awards contender, especially amid comparisons to Bradley Cooper’s dramatic turns. Fans on platforms like Reddit and X are abuzz, with discussions on whether Johnson can “out-Cooper Bradley Cooper” in awards season.
Johnson’s WWE roots add layers—Kerr’s story echoes wrestling’s physical and emotional demands, and a fan even shouted his iconic line, “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!” before the screening, eliciting laughter. As speculation grows about his return to WWE with this leaner physique, the focus remains on this pivot to serious drama.
This emotional premiere underscores Johnson’s evolution from wrestling icon to potential Oscar nominee, with The Smashing Machine poised to redefine his legacy. For more, check official festival coverage or the trailer’s release on September 2, 2025.