{"id":9646,"date":"2025-09-01T22:57:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T22:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/01\/dwayne-johnson-in-tears-as-the-smashing-machine-earns-15-minute-ovation-at-venice-film-fest-hollywood-news\/"},"modified":"2025-09-01T22:57:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T22:57:07","slug":"dwayne-johnson-in-tears-as-the-smashing-machine-earns-15-minute-ovation-at-venice-film-fest-hollywood-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/01\/dwayne-johnson-in-tears-as-the-smashing-machine-earns-15-minute-ovation-at-venice-film-fest-hollywood-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Dwayne Johnson In Tears As \u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 Earns 15-Minute Ovation At Venice Film Fest | Hollywood News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9542613\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">September 02, 2025, 04:24 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9542613\" class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363 asubttl-schema\">Dwayne Johnson was inconsolable at Venice Film Festival as \u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 earned a 15-minute ovation. The emotional response has sparked major Oscar buzz for the star.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 artsharwrp\">\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" class=\"jsx-7dd6bcc4782610a2 lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dwayne Johnson breaks down in tears at Venice film festival.\" title=\"Dwayne Johnson breaks down in tears at Venice film festival.\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dwayne Johnson breaks down in tears at Venice film festival.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\">The film, directed by Benny Safdie, sees Johnson play legendary \u201990s 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\u2019s strongest contenders.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\"><strong>A Standing Ovation That Sparked Tears<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">Johnson, once known worldwide as WWE\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">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\u2019s tearful reception for The Whale at Venice in 2021, which led to his Oscar-winning comeback.<\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">Before the screening, fans cheered Johnson with his iconic wrestling catchphrase, \u201cCan you smell what The Rock is cooking?!&#8221; The actor laughed warmly, setting the stage for a night that ended in cinematic history.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\"><strong>A Career-Defining Role For Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">\u201cThis is the kind of storytelling that\u2019s raw and real,&#8221; Johnson told Variety. \u201cBenny Safdie pushes the envelope with characters who are authentic, sometimes uncomfortable, but always arresting.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">Emily Blunt stars alongside him as Kerr\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">As Venice continues to dazzle with A-list stars like George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Emma Stone, Johnson\u2019s raw performance may have just stolen the spotlight and secured his place in Hollywood\u2019s awards race.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"authorimg\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/shrishti-negi-14989.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Shrishti Negi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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, &#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>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, &#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363 artcta\">\n<p class=\"p1\">Stay updated with the latest news from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/hollywood\/\">Hollywood<\/a>, upcoming english movie\u00a0releases, red carpet moments, box office collections, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/movie-reviews\/\">reviews<\/a>, and trailers. You can also download the <b><a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/eng-article-eop\">News18 App<\/a>.<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363 atbtlink Location\"><span>Location :<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span>Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"jsx-ff263f4b724d470d jsx-4057002363 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/\">movies<\/a> \u00bb  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/topics\/hollywood\/\">hollywood<\/a> \u00bb  <span class=\"brdout\"> Dwayne Johnson In Tears As \u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 Earns 15-Minute Ovation At Venice Film Fest<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/hollywood\/dwayne-johnson-in-tears-as-the-smashing-machine-earns-15-minute-ovation-at-venice-film-fest-9542613.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:September 02, 2025, 04:24 IST Dwayne Johnson was inconsolable at Venice Film Festival as \u2018The Smashing Machine\u2019 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&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9647,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9646"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9646\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9647"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}