The Rock on stage at Venice

Dwayne Johnson delivers a tearful, serious turn at Venice as The Smashing Machine earns a prolonged ovation.

The Rock Sobs as The Smashing Machine Gets 15 Minute Venice Ovation

Dwayne Johnson took the stage at the Venice Film Festival for The Smashing Machine, a drama about 1990s UFC fighter Mark Kerr. The premiere drew a 15-minute standing ovation, among the longest of this year’s festival. Johnson sobbed on stage as the credits rolled, while director Benny Safdie hugged him and Emily Blunt. Kerr was visibly moved by the reception, signaling a moment where a familiar blockbuster star faces a demanding dramatic role.

A24 will release the film in November. The project marks Benny Safdie's solo feature debut and reunites Johnson with Blunt after Jungle Cruise. The film is positioned as a bold shift for Johnson, who has built a career on large entertainments, while Safdie leans into a raw and authentic approach that aims to push beyond conventional biopic storytelling.

Moments like this reveal how festival prestige and star power collide. A single screening can tilt expectations for a career, especially when an actor known for big games on screen steps into a demanding dramatic role. The reaction on the Lido can become the first headline in an awards season, shaping critics’ early momentum even before reviews arrive.

The film’s release by A24 signals a bet on prestige drama and a move that could redefine both Safdie and Johnson. If the partnership sustains the festival warmth, it may open doors for future collaborations beyond blockbuster franchises and set a template for star driven, art focused projects in the awards race.

Highlights

Venice continues to be a proving ground where momentum matters almost as much as the film itself.