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Dwayne Johnson was inconsolable at Venice Film Festival as ‘The Smashing Machine’ earned a 15-minute ovation. The emotional response has sparked major Oscar buzz for the star.
Dwayne Johnson breaks down in tears at Venice film festival.
Dwayne Johnson could be on his way to the Oscars after his deeply moving performance in The Smashing Machine. The 53-year-old actor broke down in tears as the Venice Film Festival audience erupted into a thunderous 15-minute standing ovation on Monday night.
The film, directed by Benny Safdie, sees Johnson play legendary ’90s fighter Mark Kerr, a two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion who battled inner demons outside the ring. The emotional response has instantly positioned the movie as one of awards season’s strongest contenders.
A Standing Ovation That Sparked Tears
Johnson, once known worldwide as WWE’s The Rock, is no stranger to electrifying crowds. But this time, he was moved by them. As the applause roared on the Lido, Johnson sobbed uncontrollably, with co-star Emily Blunt and Safdie embracing him in tears of joy.
The real Mark Kerr, also in attendance, wept as the credits rolled, adding to the emotional atmosphere. The moment instantly evoked comparisons to Brendan Fraser’s tearful reception for The Whale at Venice in 2021, which led to his Oscar-winning comeback.
Before the screening, fans cheered Johnson with his iconic wrestling catchphrase, “Can you smell what The Rock is cooking?!” The actor laughed warmly, setting the stage for a night that ended in cinematic history.
A Career-Defining Role For Johnson
Known for blockbuster hits like The Mummy, Black Adam, and Baywatch, Johnson takes on his most transformative role yet. Nearly unrecognisable under prosthetics, he portrays Kerr not just as a fighter, but as a man grappling with addiction, fame, and identity.
“This is the kind of storytelling that’s raw and real,” Johnson told Variety. “Benny Safdie pushes the envelope with characters who are authentic, sometimes uncomfortable, but always arresting.”
Emily Blunt stars alongside him as Kerr’s girlfriend, Dawn Staples, bringing emotional depth to the narrative. The film, set for release by A24 in November, already has industry insiders whispering about its Oscar chances.
As Venice continues to dazzle with A-list stars like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Emma Stone, Johnson’s raw performance may have just stolen the spotlight and secured his place in Hollywood’s awards race.
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
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